Jeep Grand Cherokee L 2022: Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento seven-seat rival gets passenger touchscreen in USA

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While it’s still a very new vehicle, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L large SUV has been treated to an equipment bump less than 12 months after its US launch.

For 2022, the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee – launched in seven-seat ‘L’ specification which beat the shorter five-seat to market – also gets rear-seat touchscreens, Amazon Fire TV functionality, and a front passenger touchscreen just like the Porsche Taycan.

Though Jeep’s new three-row SUV was expected to land in Australia in late 2021 to compete with the Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and Kia Sorento, Chasing Cars understands its arrival has been delayed to mid-2022. 

It remains to be seen whether it will launch in MY21 specification, or if we will get the updated MY22 technology package from the start.

What has changed for 2022?

The major points of the Grand Cherokee L remain the same – its capacity to seat seven, the same suite of engines (though there is still no SRT variant confirmed), its grade line-up and standard air suspension all remain. It’s mainly the technology package that has seen running changes.

There is now onboard availability for the Amazon Fire TV streaming service. Additionally, the front seat passenger now has a 10.25-inch touchscreen – available on the mid-spec Grand Cherokee Limited and above – to control separate infotainment functions, exterior cameras and input navigation directions.

Rear passengers are also treated to more screens, with a pair of 10.1-inch monitors fitted into the back of the headrests like in a Nissan Patrol. There is also an HDMI input for the rear screens, so you can bring your own media along if you wish.

Outside the Grand Cherokee L features some minor tweaks, with a new Limited Black edition that gets a black pack and different 20-inch alloy wheels. The upper spec Summit High Altitude also gets blacked-out exterior trim, but with even bigger 21-inch gloss black alloys. 

Jeep Grand Cherokee L grade walk

In the US, the Grand Cherokee L range starts with the Laredo featuring a 216kW/348Nm 3.6-litre ‘Pentastar’ petrol V6, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.1-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver’s display.

Standard safety equipment is generous in Laredo with AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.

Leather upholstery, heating for the second row and ambient lighting headline the mid-spec Limited model (which is the most affordable grade to get a passenger touchscreen). The Limited also scores terrain-select control to enhance the Grand Cherokee L’s off-road capability. 

The Overland is available with a 266kW/529Nm 5.7-litre petrol V8 and gets Jeep’s more sophisticated ‘Quadratrac-II’ 4WD system that can send 100 percent of drive to either axle.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Grand Cherokee L Overland can be equipped with an Off-Road pack that comprises 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential and steel skid plates.

Otherwise the on-road Overland gets 20-inch alloy wheels, different bumpers, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, fan cooling for the front seats and extended leather on the dashboard. 

Quilted Nappa leather upholstery, wood trim and 16-way electric front seats are standard on the range-topping Grand Cherokee L Summit. Also included are 20-inch polished alloys, 360-degree camera, auto-parking and active driver-assist program. 

Finally, the ultra-premium Summit Reserve gets a 950-watt McIntosh stereo with 19-speakers, suede-cloth headlining, fan-cooled second-row seats and quilted Palermo leather upholstery.