Highs Modern design with a rugged vibe, plethora of models, luxury-car trimmings on high-end versions.
Lows Optional V-8 sucks gas, all-wheel drive costs extra, top models are priced in luxury-brand territory.
Verdict With legit off-roading chops and a refined on-road nature the Grand Cherokee is equally at home on the trail, on the turnpike, or on its way to the kids’ soccer game.
Overview
The 2023 Grand Cherokee is a multifaceted SUV situated at the intersection of machismo and elegance. While the base model Grand continues to offer a package that's altogether mainstream—meaning, not very fancy—the midrange and high-end trims are packed with luxury features and upscale materials that make it a clear upmarket player. Despite this upward mobility, the Grand Cherokee retains its trail-busting off-road capability—it is a Jeep, after all. Three different powertrains are offered, including V-6 and V-8 engines and a plug-in-hybrid system called 4xe. The Grand Cherokee is a two-row SUV. It's as happy with suburban family life as it is trudging through the woods, and it offers plenty space for passengers and cargo inside its roomy cabin. But if your family includes more than a couple of kids, you may find the three-row Grand Cherokee L (reviewed separately) more accommodating.
What's New for 2023?
Following a full redesign for the 2022 model year, the 2023 Grand Cherokee sees few changes. Chief among them is that the off-road-focused Trailhawk model is now offered exclusively with Jeep's 4xe plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Midrange Limited and Overland trims now come standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment display with navigation. The nine-speaker Alpine stereo system is now available as a stand-alone option on the Limited, while the Overland and Summit models can be ordered with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.
The Grand Cherokee starts thousands higher than rivals such as the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade—consider it the Jeep-brand tax—and its higher trims are priced similarly to some luxury SUVs. That being said, we think the Limited model represents the best mix of features, besting the base Laredo with more equipment to satisfy luxury buyers. The Limited comes standard with leather upholstery, a power-operated rear liftgate, heated front and rear seats, power-adjustable front seats, interior ambient lighting, automatic high-beam headlamps, remote start, and more. We'd spring for the Lux Tech Group II package, which adds rain-sensing windshield wipers, a wireless phone charger, perforated leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, a digital rearview mirror, second-row sun shades, a 360-degree exterior camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and a collision-avoidance feature that helps when traveling through intersections.
