Greater is healthier, proper? Typically sure, typically no. A much bigger sports activities automotive is much less fascinating than a smaller, lighter one. Proper? Not fairly. Simply ask an MX-5 proprietor. Smaller, lighter sports activities vehicles are higher. An SUV that’s greater? Properly, extra cargo area and room to stretch out is ideal. So Jeep determined with all of the hubbub about Third-row seating, perhaps a Jeep Grand Cherokee with Third-row seating is perhaps factor. Seems…they had been proper.

Probably the most noticeable enchancment is the general design. The Grand Cherokee L simply seems sharp. The additional size behind the again doorways provides it an incredible sense of design stability. It seems proper. It’s the identical nice design however…extra. The Baltic Gray exterior is subdued and doesn’t entice consideration. Our automotive got here with the Black Look Package deal ($2,725) which added black wheels, Pirelli all-season Scorpions, and black badging.

Inside is similar Jeep Grand Cherokee inside we’ve grow to be acquainted with during the last a number of years. Our check automotive was monotonously and overwhelmingly darkish inside: black carpeting, black leather-based seats, black leather-based sprint, black heart console, black headliner. There have been bits of brightwork and a few darkish gray picket inserts nevertheless it was largely misplaced within the blackness. Entrance row seats had been snug with their heaters, air flow, and umpteen-direction electrical seat adjusters. The second row captains chairs had been additionally snug, being heated – one other bundle : Luxurious Tech Group 1 ($2,295). What was behind these seats was as much as you. You can both have two seats that weren’t a lot aside from jump-seats to make use of in a pinch, or a tripling of cargo area when you folded them down into the rear deck. That was the most important distinction between the L and the usual Grand Cherokee.

Our check automotive additionally got here outfitted with the Towing Package deal ($995), the spectacular Twin Pane Panoramic Sunroof ($2,615) and the 9-amplifier Audio system with Subwoofer stereo improve ($1,775).

The lodging had been snug. Practically all the pieces was adjustable from the touch-screen panel on the middle stack, regardless that most controls had been additionally obtainable in a guide kind – radio modify, heater buttons – for these of us that keep in mind old skool simplicity and like it to display scrolling whereas driving. Frankly, when you can’t get snug on this automotive, you possibly can’t get snug anyplace.

We absolutely anticipated some snow to problem the absolutely competent and legendary capabilities of the Grand Cherokee L however the climate has been unseasonably heat this 12 months and we weren’t in a position to problem the the Grand Cherokee L in any manner different hanging on by means of some enjoyable freeway cloverleaves in chilly climate. It nonetheless impressed us with it’s easy trip and bump-absorbing skills. We had been impressed with how properly the Pirelli Scorpions – a powerful off street tire – dealt with our dealing with shenanigans. We anticipated tire noise and screech by means of quick corners however they toed the road diligently and offered all of the grip we requested of them. We had been in a position to strive it in some snow that we bought late throughout our mortgage however the G Cherokee L simply pushed proper by means of it prefer it wasn’t even there. Snow that may have grabbed my private automotive’s wheels and pulled it in deeper had zero impact on the Jeep. Simply steer and go. No muss, no fuss, no drama.

The brakes had been robust however required a agency push. Not too agency, however when you braked too gently you didn’t sluggish in a short time.

If there was one factor we had been undecided on, it’s the digital rear-view mirror. It labored for us on the Maserati MC20 since you couldn’t see greater than 2 sq. inches out the again window, however on the Grand Cherokee L, it makes all the pieces appear totally different from the place it truly is behind you. It’s okay, however I saved attempting to regulate the mirror manually and doing that doesn’t have an effect on what seems within the mirror. Some will prefer it, some gained’t. I don’t assume the Grand Cherokee is the perfect place to put in it. Your mileage might range.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L begins at $53,405. Our tester got here in at $66,830, which is more and more affordable for what you get.

It bought 5-stars in all of the NHTSA security checks besides “rollover” the place it bought 4 stars. Nonetheless fairly good, given its weight.

Gas mileage is acknowledged as 25 mpg on the freeway and 18 mpg within the metropolis. That’s about what we noticed over the week we had it.

In case you’ve all the time favored Grand Cherokees and wish somewhat additional room in them, the L mannequin is perhaps the one you’ve been searching for.

Efficiency: 5

Dealing with: 5

Design: 6

Inside: 7

Infotainment: 8

Sound: 8

Enjoyable: 5

Total: 6