“Very stylish, roomy and modern. Love the panoramic roof. I do regret not getting the 5.7 liter hemi though. The V6 is fine but no power.”
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for 2021 is the arrival of the all-new Grand Cherokee L, which gives the Grand Cherokee its first third row. The older two-row Grand Cherokee largely carries over, but its trim lineup changes.
About the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Split year: fourth-generation WK2 two-row Grand Cherokee in its final full run, plus first-year WL Grand Cherokee L as the new three-row branch of the range.
The 2021 Grand Cherokee range is Jeep’s do-it-all midsize SUV family: more upscale than a typical rugged SUV, but more trail-capable than most comfort-first rivals. Jeep markets it around a blend of premium cabin feel, strong towing and true 4x4 credibility. In 2021 that identity broadens further, because the older two-row model still serves buyers who want a proven, rugged SUV, while the new Grand Cherokee L adds a more polished, family-friendly three-row option.
In 2021, the Grand Cherokee spans two distinct SUVs: the familiar two-row model and the newly redesigned three-row Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Cherokee L in Laredo trim focuses on family use with seven seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital gauge display and adaptive cruise control. In two-row form, Trailhawk brings serious off-road hardware, while SRT and the 707-horsepower Trackhawk deliver V8 performance; Summit Reserve gives the Grand Cherokee L a luxury focus with leather, a 19-speaker McIntosh system and a head-up display.
What changed, by category
Structural
The all-new Grand Cherokee L joins the range on Jeep’s new WL foundation. It introduces the Grand Cherokee’s first third row and seats up to seven, while the older two-row model continues separately.
Styling
The Grand Cherokee L introduces a fully redesigned exterior and a much more modern cabin. The carryover two-row model also gains the dark-finish 80th Edition and themed Freedom special edition.
Tech
The Grand Cherokee L brings a newer digital cabin. Laredo has an 8.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10.25-inch digital gauge display; Summit Reserve adds a 10.1-inch touchscreen, head-up display and 19-speaker McIntosh audio system.
Safety
The Grand Cherokee L launches with a stronger driver-assistance package. Its Laredo trim has adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, while Altitude moves adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning from optional to standard.
Powertrain
Diesel power is dropped from the Limited, Overland and Summit trims for 2021.
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, HEMI, 6.4 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter / V8, VVT, 5.7 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter / V8, VVT, 5.7 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter / V8, VVT, 5.7 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter / V8, VVT, 5.7 Liter | V8, HEMI, Supercharged, 6.2 Liter | V8, VVT, 5.7 Liter / V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter / V8, VVT, 5.7 Liter | V6, VVT, 3.6 Liter / V8, VVT, 5.7 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 2WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 2WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 14–18 mpg | 19 mpg | 14–19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 14–18 mpg | 14–18 mpg | 11 mpg | 14–18 mpg | 19 mpg | 14–18 mpg | 14–18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 26 mpg | 22–26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 17 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 26 mpg | 22–25 mpg | 22–25 mpg |
| Horsepower | 475 hp | 290 hp | 290–360 hp | 295 hp | 290–360 hp | 290 hp | 295 hp | 295 hp | 290–360 hp | 295–360 hp | 707 hp | 295–360 hp | 295 hp | 295–360 hp | 290–357 hp |
| Torque | 470 lb-ft | 257 lb-ft | 257–390 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 257–390 lb-ft | 257 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 257–390 lb-ft | 260–390 lb-ft | 645 lb-ft | 260–390 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 260–390 lb-ft | 257–390 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 7200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 7200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb | 6200 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 68.3 cu-ft | 84.6 cu-ft | 68.3–84.6 cu-ft | 68.3 cu-ft | 68.3–84.6 cu-ft | 84.6 cu-ft | 68.3 cu-ft | 68.3 cu-ft | 68.3–84.6 cu-ft | 68.3 cu-ft | 68.3 cu-ft | 68.3 cu-ft | 68.3 cu-ft | 68.3 cu-ft | 84.6 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 38.6 in | 30.3 in | 30.3–38.6 in | 38.6 in | 30.3–38.6 in | 30.3 in | 38.6 in | 38.6 in | 30.3–38.6 in | 38.6 in | 38.6 in | 38.6 in | 38.6 in | 38.6 in | 30.3 in |
| Seats | 5 | 7 | 5–7 | 5 | 5–7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5–7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | |||||||||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||||||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||||||||||||
| Automatic Leveling Headlights | |||||||||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||||||||
| Cruise Control | |||||||||||||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||||||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||||||||
| Night Vision System | |||||||||||||||
| Park Assist | |||||||||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||||||||
| 360 Camera | |||||||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||||||||
| HID Headlights | |||||||||||||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | |||||||||||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||||||||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||||||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||||||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||||||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||||||||||
| Side Steps | |||||||||||||||
| Tow Hooks | |||||||||||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | |||||||||||||||
| Front DVD Entertainment System | |||||||||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||||||||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | |||||||||||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||||||||||||
| 4-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||||||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||||||||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||||||||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||||||||||
| Massage Front Seat | |||||||||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||||||||
| Memory Front Seats | |||||||||||||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | |||||||||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||||||||||
| Power Folding Rear Seat | |||||||||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||||||||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||||||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||||||||||
| Ventilated Rear Seats | |||||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The biggest change is the debut of the all-new Grand Cherokee L. It is a newly designed three-row version built alongside the mostly unchanged two-row Grand Cherokee.
Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have a third row?
Yes, the 2021 Grand Cherokee L has the model’s first third row and seating for up to seven. The regular 2021 Grand Cherokee remains a two-row SUV.
Is every 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee redesigned?
No. Only the three-row Grand Cherokee L is all-new for 2021; the familiar two-row Grand Cherokee continues on the older WK2 design with relatively minor lineup changes.
Which trims were added to the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup?
The 80th Edition, Freedom and Laredo X join the two-row lineup, while Summit Reserve debuts as the top Grand Cherokee L trim. The North and Upland trims are dropped.
Did the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee still offer a diesel engine?
No. The diesel powertrain is dropped from the Limited, Overland and Summit trims for 2021.
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
4.2
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
(813 reviews)
“Ease of egress and ingress of driver door is difficult unless you lower the seat.”
“I love this Jeep, very fun to drive and comfortable for driver and all passengers. It feels luxurious and I have never had a vehicle with a sunroof before.”