The Jeep Grand Cherokee L might be a newcomer to the three-row utility section when it arrives at dealerships within the second quarter, however it will not want a lot of an introduction. Jeep will simply need to let shoppers know that the Grand Cherokee can haul a couple of extra folks now.
The nameplate is likely one of the most established within the business, giving it speedy familiarity with shoppers. The three-row model will carry that longstanding cachet because it faces off with contemporary choices such because the Hyundai Palisade and the fast-turning Kia Telluride. Larger trim ranges may find yourself contending with the likes of Land Rover.
The Grand Cherokee’s first three-row providing is entering into the fray in Jeep’s typical function as a premium possibility. The bottom rear-wheel-drive mannequin begins at $38,690, whereas the bottom 4×4 worth level is $40,690. The highest trim surpasses $66,000. All costs embody transport.
For comparability, the Hyundai Palisade begins at $33,710 with front-wheel drive and $35,410 with all-wheel drive. Each costs embody transport
John Grant, co-owner of the Jeep Solely dealership in Las Vegas, believes shoppers are getting rather a lot for the cash. He was anticipating a bigger upcharge from the two-row Grand Cherokee, which begins at $35,890 for the 2021 mannequin.
He has 13 prospects on a ready checklist to order the Grand Cherokee L at Jeep Solely and eight extra at one other location within the metropolis.
“This is sort of a spaceship,” Grant informed Automotive Information. “I have been contained in the [company’s] design dome, so perhaps I’ve a bit of little bit of a bonus. I’ve seen and touched it.”
David Kelleher, chairman of the Stellantis Nationwide Seller Council, thinks the pricing is rational for what the Grand Cherokee L brings to the desk. Kelleher, who owns David Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram in Glen Mills, Pa., mentioned he operates in a premium market and is anticipating to promote loads of the upper-trim variants. He already sells some pickups for $100,000.
Kelleher says the Grand Cherokee L has what it takes to tug consideration from BMW and Lexus. Kelleher marvels on the breadth of Jeep, which performs within the entry-level area with the Renegade and this 12 months could have a six-figure technological showcase within the Grand Wagoneer.
“They stored the heritage within the automobile, however it’s definitively completely different,” Kelleher mentioned of the Grand Cherokee L. That distinction “makes the present proprietor completely satisfied and brings within the new proprietor as nicely.”
Tyson Jominy, vice chairman of knowledge and analytics at J.D. Energy, mentioned Jeep must unfold the phrase that the Grand Cherokee provides a 3rd row after so a few years with out.
Jominy sees the Land Rover Discovery as a attainable competitor upstream. Among the many mainstream choices, Jominy mentioned the Palisade would be the car to beat.
The Jeep identify “carries fairly a little bit of weight,” Jominy mentioned. “So it in all probability goes to straddle that line between your widespread, home mainstream manufacturers after which, in fact, your luxurious, off-road-focused manufacturers and nameplates.”
Jeep sellers have needed a three-row Grand Cherokee for a very long time. Grant has been on the vendor council for 9 years and remembers his counterparts inquiring about it when he joined.
That want wasn’t met with the short-lived Commander, a boxy contraption that rejected business observers with its cramped third row.
Grant thinks Jeep discovered its lesson with that car.
It took the model some time to determine the way it needed to make a three-row utility, mentioned Sam Fiorani, vice chairman of world car forecasting for AutoForecast Options.
“When you’re burned by a product flop, you are much less more likely to soar proper again into that,” Fiorani mentioned. “The Commander had the brief wheelbase. I do know lots of people who love the styling of it, however it simply wasn’t a full three-row car, and by extending the wheelbase on [the Grand Cherokee], I feel you are lastly reaching that market the place I can truly put somebody in that again row.”
In Fiorani’s opinion, these shopping for the Palisade and Telluride aren’t searching for the identical issues {that a} Jeep shopper is.
“You are not essentially shopping for a Palisade or Telluride for its off-road prowess. You are shopping for it as a result of it is a large, comfy car that drives rather well,” Fiorani mentioned. “It is a completely different grouping of autos.”
Jessica Caldwell, government director of insights at Edmunds, mentioned Grand Cherokee patrons by the years have been identified to step into the luxurious world with their subsequent autos. The three-row model may seize a few of these shoppers who do not thoughts spending $50,000 to $60,000 on a well-appointed mannequin.
“We name it form of the gateway SUV,” Caldwell mentioned of the Grand Cherokee, “as a result of if you have a look at buying and selling information, a whole lot of it does go into one other Grand Cherokee, however a whole lot of it does go into luxurious.”