Not to be confused (though it will be) with the larger Grand Cherokee L, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a midsized offering. With two rows of seating, this Grand Cherokee is a bit upscale, but also more off-road capable than most other SUVs in this segment.

Our overall assessment is that the Jeep Grand Cherokee has both good and bad elements and isn’t necessarily a blanket recommendation to everyone. There is tough competition in the midsize SUV segment and this Jeep just doesn’t really shine when compared to other options. But with the storied Jeep name and delivery on the expectation that it will mean better off-road capability, the Grand Cherokee doesn’t disappoint.

For those who either must have a Jeep or who want the promised off-road capability and choice of powertrains that the Grand Cherokee offers, there’s no point in arguing for another option. For everyone else, weighing the options of this new Grand Cherokee against the competition may not always go in the Jeep’s favor. To be frank, its plug-in hybrid powertrain and strong exterior looks are really its greatest draw.

Our time in the new Grand Cherokee was comfortable and engaging. But the engagement wasn’t always for the right reasons. Tight parking spaces, hard trail turns, and an interior that sometimes failed to impress were downsides. Upsides were the clean driving the PHEV offers and the excellent off-pavement capabilities this SUV includes.

In short, you’ll know if you want a Grand Cherokee or if you need something different. It pays to shop around in your test driving.

The nearest competitor to the Jeep is from its sibling at Dodge. The Durango is a little less ritzy and just as capable with a price point that’s below the Grand Cherokee’s. The two share many components as well, making the Durango a better-looking option if the Jeep nameplate and a lot of upgrades aren’t in your buying plans.

The Telluride is priced equivalent to the Grand Cherokee, but includes a third row option similar to the more expensive Grand Cherokee L. The Kia doesn’t have the off-road legend behind its name, but will do most of what Grand Cherokee owners are likely to do off the pavement. The Telluride loses out in towing, however, as the Jeep has more capability there. But with a nicer interior experience, it’s still competitive.

Like the Kia Telluride, the Highlander doesn’t have the off-road icon as part of its name, nor does it have the high towing capacity of the Grand Cherokee. It does, however, have a more comfortable interior and a third row of seating.

The price tag for the Jeep Grand Cherokee starts at $40,120 plus delivery. That’s about average for the two-row midsize SUV segment. Most are going to be buying in the $50,000 range, however, as the base Laredo trim comes with only a few amenities.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is completely redesigned for the 2022 model year. This fifth-generation Grand Cherokee comes with several options for powertrain choices, including a V6, a V8, and a plug-in hybrid. Inside, seating is much nicer than the outgoing generation’s and the latest infotainment from parent company Stellantis (Uconnect 5) is one of the best available.

Jeep has included a lot of standard equipment on the base model Grand Cherokee in order to make it competitive. Some of those safety systems, however, aren’t as robust as what can be found on the Grand Cherokee’s competition.

The new 2022 Grand Cherokee’s interior is also below par in some ways, as some of its materials feel cheaper or out of place for the higher-rent price point.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee comes with three powertrain options. At the base level is a 3.6-liter V6 that will be familiar to all Dodge/Jeep fans. This engine produces 293 horsepower, which is just enough to keep the Grand Cherokee from feeling sluggish. Rear-wheel drive is standard with this engine and four-wheel drive is optional.

Also available for the Grand Cherokee is a 5.7-liter V8 engine that outputs a more muscular 357 HP. This engine is available on the Trailhawk, Overland, and Summit trim points and comes standard with 4WD. Fuel efficiency isn’t as good as with the V6, but towing and other metrics rise with the engine’s higher output.

Finally, a new plug-in hybrid option for the Grand Cherokee (called the 4xe or “four-by-E”) debuts with this new generation Jeep. It combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with hybrid-electric components to produce 375 horsepower and a whopping 470 pound-feet of torque. This comes with 4WD as standard and can be driven all-electric for about 20 miles or so if the battery is fully charged.

In our test drives of the new-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, we drove both the V8-powered and the plug-in hybrid 4xe options. Both are very good, depending on what is hoped for in the purchase of the Grand Cherokee. The hybrid model offers a more spirited feel and a better daily drive with much better fuel economy as well. The V8 model growls reassuringly and is smoother while towing a trailer.

What holds the 2022 Grand Cherokee back the most, however, is its ponderous steering and battleship-like turning radius. It’s one of the least maneuverable vehicles in this SUV segment. On the road and the trail during normal driving, the Jeep Grand Cherokee feels fine and very capable, but once it’s time to park or squeeze into a campsite, it can feel pretty bulky.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee has received middling results from the two crash testing bodies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given it four out of five stars and skipped advanced safety systems tests as some of those systems are not standard equipment. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Grand Cherokee a best “Good” rating on most crash tests and a second-best “Acceptable” rating for advanced safety equipment.

Because this is the first year for the all-new 2022 Grand Cherokee, reliability will be relatively low as the kinks are worked out. Recalls and warranty claims are higher than average. That should smooth out over time. But Jeep does not have a high reputation for reliability compared to the rest of the market and the company’s barely average warranties don’t inspire confidence.

Knowing these things, we will not rank the Grand Cherokee very high for reliability.

If buying a Grand Cherokee over a competing model, we’d recommend going to the mid-level Limited or Trailhawk trims (the former if you want comfort, the latter for off-road capability) and upgrading to the plug-in hybrid powertrain. While more expensive than most other choices on the market, this setup returns excellent fuel economy and fast-paced acceleration. Plus there is a good combination of amenities and accouterments with several optional add-ons should you wish to have them.

The Lux Tech Group package available on these trim points adds a much-needed 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and cross-traffic alerts. The digital rearview mirror is also a plus. On the Limited package, we’d also recommend the trailer tow package upgrade as well.

Jeep’s warranty is standard for the industry. Because this is a debut year for the Grand Cherokee, warranty claims and recalls are higher than average for this new Jeep. Expect that to iron out soon.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• PowerTrain: 5 years / 60k miles
• Jeep offers extended warranties for certified pre-owned vehicles
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

Finding a used Grand Cherokee will be difficult, as this new generation of the Jeep just arrived for 2022. So nearly all buyers will be looking at new models. Look for one that fits your needs and expectations and go from there.

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