2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers a blend of stylishness and power

The Jeep Grand Cherokee got a well-overdue redesign this year – but still manages to retain its unique characteristics that made it a popular SUV to start with.

Jeep confirmed last year their plans to introduce the new Grand Cherokee in South Africa before the end of 2022, and now the brand is ready for the local launch. While both five-seater Grand Cherokee and 7-seater Grand Cherokee L are on the cards, we will first get to see the one with the extended wheelbase this August, according to the IOL news website.

Jeep takes the new Grand Cherokee’s interior to the next level, with the new generation intuitive Uconnect™ system, operated through an 8.4" touchscreen HD display and the user-configurable 7-inch TFT multiview Driver Information Digital Cluster Display. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are standard across the range, with the ability to control them through voice.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with a wide range of safety and driver assistance facilities, including blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection, Parkview rear backup camera with trailer view, Parksense front and rear park assist system, and so on.

Jeep South Africa has listed four trim levels of the new 2022 Grand Cherokee on their website – Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, and Overland. At the start, we will have two engine choices – a 3.6L Pentastar V6 for performance, efficiency, and fun, and a 6.4L SRT V8 engine with five drive modes and a Quadra-Trac^® Active On-Demand 4x4 System.

The V6 petrol pumps out 210kW and 347Nm of torque and pairs with 8-speed automatic transmission. The V8 is capable of generating 349kW.

• Laredo

Up front, the Grand Cherokee Laredo features Bi-Xenon HID headlights with daytime running lights, automatic headlamps, LED fog lights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Inside, we find cloth seats with matching stitching, power 8-way driver and 6-way passenger seats, leather-covered steering wheel, tire pressure monitoring display, dual-zone climate control, and Uconnect 7 system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Laredo ensures safety and driver assistance through cruise control, blind spot monitoring, hill start assist, and ParkSense front and rear.

• Limited

The Limited trim has everything you get in the Laredo, plus heated front seats, standard Capri leather-trimmed seats in black, ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid, a power liftgate, and smart beam headlamps.

• Overland

The Overland gets more luxurious than the Limited through Nappa leather-trimmed seats, ventilated front seats, leather-trimmed instrument panel, dual-panel panoramic sunroof, Quadra-Lift Air Suspensions, Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, Uconnect 8.4-inch Radio Nav compliable with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Trailhawk

For a genuine off-road experience, the Trailhawk boasts not only mechanicals but also a more rugged appearance complementing it. The exclusive Trailhawk features include a black anti-glare hood decal, mirror caps, and a roof rack with neutral grey accents. In addition, the stock18" Goodyear adventure off-road tires, skid plates, and Quadra-Drive II 4X4 system make the Trailhawk a true off-roader.

The interior elevates your off-roading adventure with unique leather and suede-trimmed performance seats with suede bolsters, eye-catching red stitching on seats, console, and doors; and Piano Black applique and Gun Metal finish on different elements.

The Trailhawk has earned the Trail Rated badge courtesy of its five strict tests on Traction, Manoeuvrability, Articulation, Water Fording, and Ground Clearance, thanks to Quadra-Lift Air Suspension and Quadra-Drive II with Rear ELSD.

The Jeep Laredo starts at R889,900; R989,900 for Limited; R1,069,900 for Trailhawk; and R1,139,900 for Overland. (Prices correct at time of publication.)

Looking for other cars in this price range? Check out the Reviews section on the MotorHappy blog. Every month we review at least two of the latest models to hit South Africa’s roads.

Please note the imagery supplied in this blog was taken off www.topgear.com