The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a powerful, comfortable SUV offered in a variety of trim levels, from the standard Laredo to the illustrious Summit Reserve. You might also have heard about the Grand Cherokee L, which refers to a model with a long wheelbase and fits up to seven seats instead of the Grand Cherokee’s five. You’ll find the same selection of trim levels and the same overall benefits, but you’ll also get a slightly longer body and a cabin adjusted to fit three seat rows.
The Jeep Store is here to help you pick the right Jeep SUV for your needs and budget. To clear up the differences between these two Grand Cherokees, let’s compare the 2022 Grand Cherokee versus the 2022 Grand Cherokee L.
What Is the Grand Cherokee L?
The standard Grand Cherokee is a five-seat vehicle with two rows. However, many families around Jersey City and Ocean Township need an SUV with a little more cabin space. The Grand Cherokee L, introduced in 2021, is an extended-wheelbase version of the Grand Cherokee with three seat rows, either six or seven seats, and the same general features and trim levels. It’s now the second vehicle in Jeep’s lineup with three seat rows, along with the Jeep Gladiator.
Number of Seats and Comfort
The standard 2022 Grand Cherokee has two rows and three seats in the back, for a total of five occupants. The trim level you pick determines whether you get any additional seating adjustments or center storage consoles. By comparison, when you opt for the 2022 Grand Cherokee L, you can choose from the following three different cabin designs comprising two six-seaters and one seven-seater:
- Three rows of two seats and a between-seat storage console in the front row.
- Three rows of two seats and a between-seat storage console in the front and second row.
- Two seats with a storage console in the front row, three seats in the second row, and two seats in the third row.
Every available version of the 2022 Grand Cherokee L’s interior design has a third row with two closely-bordered seats and an easy-sliding second row, absent on the ordinary Grand Cherokee. With this extended SUV, every setup offers just as much room for an adult passenger as they’d get up front, and loading or unloading a full gang of friends or family is easy.
People often worry that choosing a version of a vehicle with a longer wheelbase might compromise how much room each passenger gets. This isn’t the case when going from the Grand Cherokee to the 2022 Grand Cherokee L, which earned awards for being the best large utility vehicle.
How Much Bigger Is the Grand Cherokee L Than the Grand Cherokee?
Photo of 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee from Jeep.com
The 2022 Grand Cherokee’s dimensions for the standard models are 194 inches in length, 78 inches in width, and 71 inches in height. By contrast, the 2022 Grand Cherokee L is more than 15 inches longer at 205 inches. It has the same width at 78 inches, and it’s a little bit taller at 72 inches. The difference helps the L version support a third seat row without compromising on passenger space.
Speaking of cargo, either version will have more than enough room for grocery store runs and road trips. Regardless of the wheelbase you pick, both models get exactly 17.2 cubic feet or 84.6 cubic feet with the seats all folded back. Given how the L places its seats, you’ll get slightly better cargo volume when dropping the back row compared to the standard wheelbase.
Curb Weight and Performance
Although built from a very similar framework, the extended body of the L means a higher weight. Depending on your choice of trim level and any optional equipment, the 2022 Grand Cherokee has a curb weight ranging from 4,238 to 4,784 lbs, while the 2022 Grand Cherokee L ranges from 4,618 to 5,086 lbs. That’s a difference of 380 lbs with the lightest possible weights and 302 lbs at the heaviest, which is like carrying two or three extra passengers at all times.
In a back-to-back test drive of both vehicles, a discerning driver might be able to tell that the regular Grand Cherokee is a bit more agile and graceful. This is due to several factors: the L is a bit wider, which can affect its turning radius, and the extra weight can make acceleration and high-speed maneuvers more deliberate. The regular Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L also have different undercarriage pillar designs, with the L customized more to handle the extra weight. Overall, both vehicles have the same powerful engines with a near-identical driving experience.
Alternate Editions
Finally, there are a few options that are not available on the 2022 Grand Cherokee L. The Trailhawk, an off-roading-focused trim level found on most of the Jeep lineup, is only available on standard wheelbase models, and the same applies to the 4xe plug-in hybrid. There are even 2022 Trailhawk 4xe versions of the Grand Cherokee. These special models don’t appear on the Grand Cherokee L.
2022 Grand Cherokee VS 2022 Grand Cherokee L: Final Verdict
Overall, the 2022 Grand Cherokee L is a little bit longer, can fit six or seven seats in three rows, and is just a touch heavier. Some special models available on the regular wheelbase can’t be found on the Grand Cherokee L just yet, but that could change. While both vehicles are amazin and well worth the price tag, the Grand Cherokee L is better if you need more than five seats. It adds a little more curb weight, but if you get the right engine and trim level, you won’t notice the difference.
Contact The Jeep Store for Your Automotive Needs
Jeep has a number of appealing SUVs and pickup trucks for you to choose from. The Jeep Store is eager to help you get a new or pre-owned Jeep around Ocean Township, New Jersey. From Jeep parts and automotive servicing to affordable financing, our number-one priority is customer satisfaction. Visit us for anything you might need when buying and maintaining a Jeep. You can also fill out our online contact form, and we promise to get back to you as soon as possible.
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