Are you in the market for a comfortable and capable SUV from a reputable brand? A quality SUV is the best vehicle type for getting around Berkshire County, and as a Jeep dealer near Pittsfield, we would love to show you the Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Cherokee is a midsize, two-row SUV, while the Grand Cherokee L is the elongated version of the popular Grand Cherokee—a three-row rendition that only became available starting in 2021. That was nearly 30 years after the introduction of the original Grand Cherokee. However, based on how popular the larger model is, it has quickly become apparent that this was a smart development on the part of Jeep.
The question is: which one of these is for you? Either one is a spacious and luxurious SUV available with four-wheel drive that’s more than ready to keep you safe and comfortable on Pittsfield roads and tackle the wet winters of Massachusetts. But there are some important differences to be aware of, so today, we will go over these two terrific models to assist you in your shopping journey.
The Two-Row Grand Cherokee
Let’s start with the original Grand Cherokee. This two-row, midsize SUV has seating for five and is just right for small families, couples, or individuals looking for a terrific SUV that’s easy to drive. With the rear seats down, you can enjoy up to 70.8 cu.ft. of cargo space. So whether you are loading up groceries or a couple of bikes for cruising around Lake Onota, you’ll find space in the back of the two-row Grand Cherokee. With those rear seats up, you will still enjoy a spacious trunk offering 37.7 cu.ft. of cargo space. The two-row Grand Cherokee can even tow up to 6,200 lbs. So, it is more than ready to tow modestly sized loads for your camping trips, boating days, and more.
The Three-Row Grand Cherokee L
The Grand Cherokee L is an incredibly versatile vehicle. It is available in a six-seat or seven-seat configuration. You can have a middle row of captain chairs in the back for six seats or opt for a second-row bench seat for seating for seven. If you need to transport plenty of passengers on a regular basis––for example, if you are raising a family in Pittsfield and have to do drop-offs at Allendale or Capeless Elementary School every morning for the neighborhood carpool––you might need the full seven seats.
When you don’t need all seven seats, there are plenty of ways to fold down the rear ones to create configurable cargo spaces. You can put down the entire third row, just parts of the third row or the third and second row for up to 84.6 cu.ft. of cargo space. Those are some serious cargo possibilities that let you choose when you prioritize passengers or stuff.
Notable Differences
While the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L are siblings, you should know there are some features you can only get with one model or the other. Plus, there are some features that, while available on both, differ in nature between the two.
An Electrified Powertrain
One major difference between the two-row Grand Cherokee and the three-row Grand Cherokee L is that only the Grand Cherokee is available in a plug-in hybrid variant known as the Grand Cherokee 4xe. With many drivers taking an interest in vehicles that do not solely rely on a gas engine today, the Grand Cherokee can be a very appealing option to many Pittsfield drivers.
As a major metropolitan area, Pittsfield has plenty of electric vehicle charging stations, making it easy to find a place to plug in when you are running errands and see that your battery power is low. In fact, there are several stations at popular locations around downtown Pittsfield. With fuel prices constantly on the rise and increasing concerns around clean air, we see plenty of shoppers who want a partially electric vehicle like the Grand Cherokee 4xe.
Angles and Ground Clearance
Another notable difference between the Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L is that the Grand Cherokee has significantly better breakover and departure angles than the Grand Cherokee L. This is not surprising given the shorter wheelbase, which naturally makes it the better choice for navigating hilly terrain with precision. Both versions can be equipped with air suspension for the best available ground clearance, with up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance when fully raised. The standard suspension maxes out at an already good 8.5 inches. So the Grand Cherokee is better for hilly terrain, but the Grand Cherokee L is just as ready for roads littered with small rocks, branches, and other debris—plus a little water fording.
Towing Figures
We know that, given its larger overall interior, the Grand Cherokee L allows you to bring more stuff inside the SUV, but you can also bring more stuff behind it because it can tow up to 7,200 lbs, giving you an additional thousand pounds of towing power compared to the Grand Cherokee. It’s also worth noting that the second row of the Grand Cherokee L gets a little bit more legroom and headroom than the Grand Cherokee. So if you transport adult passengers or growing teenagers who want room to stretch out, the Grand Cherokee L not only has more seats but more space per seat than the Grand Cherokee.
Traditional Gas Engine Options
The gas engine options are also slightly different between the two models. Both offer the 3.6L Pentastar V6 as the base engine, providing 293 hp. However, only the Grand Cherokee L has the available 5.7L HEMI V8, kicking the power up to 357 hp. If you want to stick with a gas-only model and want maximum horsepower, the Grand Cherokee L will be your pick. However, the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid offers 375 hp. So, if you are moving in the PHEV direction, that’s actually where you’ll find the highest available horsepower across these two models.
Trims and Starting Prices
Trims and prices differ, too. The 2024 Grand Cherokee is available in nine trims, while the Grand Cherokee L is available in eight. Where does the difference lie? In the Laredo A—a base-level trim that is only available for the Grand Cherokee. At a starting MSRP of $36,495, that puts it several thousand dollars less than the starting level Laredo of the Grand Cherokee L, which sits at $40,035.[a] So, if you want to keep the purchase price below $40,000, you’ll be looking at the Grand Cherokee.
Test Drive the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L
Come explore these two terrific SUVs at our dealership. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be glad to answer any remaining questions you may have to help you choose your model. You’ll get excellent performance, comfort, and overall quality no matter which one you choose. We know an SUV is a major purchase, and it’s important to us to get you a model with all the features you want. With more models arriving daily, competitive prices, and a convenient location near Pittsfield, we’re the perfect place for Pittsfield drivers to explore these two popular SUVs. We look forward to helping you find yours!