Jeep is a brand with a rich history and a longstanding reputation for rugged vehicles that are ready for just about anything you can throw at them. The tricky part is that many of its vehicles try to be everything to everyone. There are a staggering 11 different Jeep Grand Cherokee trims to choose from for the 2021 model year. That’s even before you add in things like powertrain and engine option choices.
There is one important note for the 2021 Grand Cherokee models. New for this model year is a three-row version called the Grand Cherokee L. We've reviewed it separately. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L features a completely redesigned fifth-generation design. However, even though it has the same model year, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee (2-row version) uses the older fourth-generation design. It won't cosmetically match the larger Grand Cherokee L until the 2022 model year.
Laredo E
The Laredo E is the base-model Jeep Grand Cherokee. A starting MSRP of $34,395 gets you a 3.6L V6 that has 295hp and gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. The whole thing rolls on 18-inch silver aluminum wheels and a two-wheel-drive drivetrain. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E doesn’t have an awful lot in the way of added features, and you can’t even really add much to it. Still, it has standard blind-spot monitoring, rear park assist, and a Uconnect 4 media system with a 7-inch display. Keyless entry and a backup camera also come standard. If you want all-wheel-drive, the price bumps up to $36,395 and the mileage goes down to 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway.
Laredo X
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X is a step up from the previous trim model. The 2WD model has an MSRP of $38,140, and the 4WD model is priced at $40,140. The Grand Cherokee Laredo X has a power liftgate and remote vehicle start. Other luxurious features include a heated leather steering wheel and heated front seats.
Inside, the Uconnect infotainment system has comes with navigation and a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen. Android Auto integration is supported. The Laredo X has available options that aren't choices on the lower Laredo E. For example, audiophiles could upgrade to a nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system (for an added price, of course).
Limited
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is a little bit of an odd duck, in our opinion. The two-wheel-drive Limited has a starting MSRP of $40,620, whereas the 4WD version jumps up to a starting MSRP of $42,620. The major difference in our eyes between this trim and the Laredo X is the single-pane power sunroof. The wheels also have Technical Gray painted pockets instead of being silver (though they are still 18 inches).
Otherwise, the Uconnect navigation is the same, as are the standard safety features. The heated steering wheel, front seats, and power liftgate all carry over as well. It seems Jeep could have just made the sunroof an add-on option instead of creating an entire trim level around it.
80th Anniversary
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 80th Anniversary is a special trim for the 2021 model year celebrating 80 years of the Jeep name. All of Jeep's models feature one this year. This trim has a starting MSR of $42,910. You may first notice the larger 20-inch low gloss Granite Crystal wheels. However, the Grand Cherokee 80th Anniversary has fewer exterior color options than its lesser-priced siblings.
There is distinctive anniversary badging across the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The black interior has a unique tungsten accent stitching. Also, on the safety front, the 80th Anniversary trim adds forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist as standard. For $44,910, you can snag a 4×4 version.
Limited X
The 2021 Grand Cherokee Limited X has a starting MSRP of $45,470. It's all dark and brooding with its blacked-out features. The 20-inch wheels are gloss black, and the Jeep 7-slate grille isn't outlined in shiny chrome as it is on other trims. A sport hood further differentiates it from other trims.
Notably, the ProTech II suite of safety features (found on the 80th Anniversary trim) is not available standard. Instead, they are a $2,000 add-on. This trim also has a 4WD version that starts at $47,470.
Trailhawk
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is a little pricier at $45,820. Many of the creature comforts are stripped down compared to previous trims. But where you’re going, you don’t need them. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is optimized for off-roading. As such, you can only purchase this trim with a 4×4 powertrain.
The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk also comes with the Quadra-Drive II 4WD system to bolster the Quadra-Trac II System. This system has an electronic rear limited-slip differential that transfers all available torque away from a slipping wheel for the greatest traction possible. There are heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel. If all that off-roading is making you sweat, however, you'll appreciate the ventilated front seats. This is the first trim where a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine option is available for $3,400.
Overland
The 2021 Grand Cherokee Overland may sound like it’s ready to charge into battle, but this Jeep’s strength lies more in its tech and towing. Buyers get a dual-pane sunroof, 9-amplified speakers with subwoofer, and even rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Grand Cherokee Overland is $47,160 for the 4×2 or $50,160 for 4WD. Interestingly, the 4x4 premium is $3,000 starting this trim and onward. It was only $2K on previous trims.
The 4×4 edition also comes standard with Jeep’s "Trailer Tow Group IV." This includes a 7-and 4-pin wiring harness, a Class IV receiver hitch, a 20-in by 6-in steel spare wheel, and a heavy-duty engine cooling system designed to vent excess heat generated from pushing that powerful engine to the max. The more power 5.7L Hemi V8 engine is an additional option to choose from.
High Altitude
The High Altitude version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee keeps the love of black found on the regular Altitude trim but ups the luxury level to new heights. This Jeep comes with 20-inch low-gloss Granite Crystal wheels. In addition, there are corresponding low-gloss granite crystal accents across the grille, taillights, and rear fascia. It also comes with black chrome dual exhaust tips. On the inside, drivers will find a dual-pane sunroof. In terms of tech, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude has Uconnect 4C Nav with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and GPS navigation. There's also the ability to upgrade to a high-performance audio system. It surrounds you with 19 speakers and features active noise cancellation.
The ProTech II safety suite also reappears as a standard offering on the Grand Cherokee High Altitude. The MSRP for the 4x2 version is $50,105, and the 4x4 comes in at $53,105. Adding the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine options costs an additional $3,295.
Summit
At $53,510, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit is the top trim you can get in a 4×2 powertrain, and it’s all about luxury. With features like advanced brake assist, lane departure warnings, and parallel and perpendicular park assist, you might feel like this Jeep just about does half the driving for you. The Grand Cherokee Summit has an exclusive exterior look, as well as a leather-wrapped interior that’s also exclusive but optional. A standard 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system might have you sneaking out to the driveway to listen to music.
The 4×4 version of the Summit checks in at $56,510 and comes with the same trailer tow feature package and engine cooling that appears on the Grand Cherokee Overland. It, too, has the option to upgrade to the larger Hemi engine.
SRT
SRT stands for “Street and Racing Technology,” and Jeep is claiming that this SUV is ready for the track. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT comes with a 6.4L HEMI V8 capable of 475hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Of course, that comes at a cost. The SRT only gets 13 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway. It also comes with a more literal cost—namely, a starting MSRP of $69,610. The SRT is only available as a 4×4. Quadra-Trac Active On-Demand 4WD operates all the time, distributing torque to all wheels evenly until it detects slippage.
You also get a high-speed engine controller and a heavy-duty engine cooling system. It’s got a bigger alternator, a bigger rear axle…it’s just got bigger stuff all around. It also has a high-performance braking system from Brembo. If you really want to take a Jeep Grand Cherokee to the track instead of, say, a Camaro or a Mustang, this is the one for you.
Trackhawk
Lastly, the most expensive trim is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk at $88,115. It’s even more heart-pounding and powerful than the SRT. It uses a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine to produce 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. That means it races from 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds. This trim level also adds a superior cooling system and uses the SRT Brembo brake system for optimum control.
At this luxurious price point, buyers will also find suede performance seating on the interior. For the exterior, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk adds bright quad exhaust tips—something the Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t even have. As with the other upgrades, you do lose some features on the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, like the steering wheel-mounted controls in favor of mounted shift levers. It also loses integrated voice command with Bluetooth.
(Featured image via Facebook.)
