Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve review: price, specs, driving impressions

This seven-seater SUV has been long revered for its toughness and off-road ability, but the latest model has been designed to appeal to a different crowd.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve is lavishly equipped and priced accordingly. Picture: Supplied.

Jeep’s first seven-seat Grand Cherokee hopes to challenge prestige Euro large SUVs. Here are five things you need to know about the tree-topping L Summit Reserve.

You’ll do a double take at the price

Jeeps asks a chunky $125,000 to drive away this flagship. That’s BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7, Range Rover Velar or Land Rover Defender/Discovery money – established prestige names. Grand Cherokee Ls start at about $90,000 on the road, but this range-topper isn’t called Summit Reserve for nothing. It’s a luxury leather-lined Jeep-of-all-trades. Seating for seven, serious off-roading ability and this 5.2-metre brute has some presence both outside and in.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve is priced to compete with luxury rivals. Picture: Supplied.

There’s oligarch yacht levels of luxe and space

The aggressive-looking exterior gives way to a cabin of palatial opulence. There’s a big leap in class over previous Grand Cherokees, helping soften that price hit. Ventilated, power and massaging quilted leather seats are lovely for long trips – I heartily recommend the “rock climb” massage. Elsewhere, there’s open-pore walnut wood trim, knurled metal rotary dials, a crisp digital driver display and banging 19-speaker McIntosh audio. After a week’s family test we named it the American Range Rover. The kids loved the electrically folding second- and third-row seats but didn’t appreciate internal cameras monitoring their behaviour. At this price, Jeep asking more for a head-up display and wireless phone charging is cheeky.

The Grand Cherokee’s cabin is a huge step up from the previous model. Picture: Supplied.

There are changes for better and worse

Grand Cherokees are popular tow vehicles, but this new version courts the urban rather than touring classes. The old 184kW/570Nm diesel with 7.5L/100km economy’s been dropped, leaving only a thirstier (10.6L/100km) 210kW/344Nm petrol V6. A frugal plug-in hybrid’s due this year but only in the five-seat version. As for towing, the former 3500kg rating’s gone. There’s now a 2813kg maximum for Night Eagle and Limited grades, and a paltry 2268kg for this Summit Reserve. If you need to haul your three-tonne yacht, look elsewhere. Positively, Jeep’s upped the safety game with a comprehensive array of driver aids including rear cross-traffic alert, advanced auto emergency braking and a 360-degree camera. That’s hugely important for family buyers, as is spacious seating for seven (adults fit the back row), smart storage and a generous 487-litre boot with seven seats up. Limiting the five-year warranty to 100,000km is stingy.

Jeeps are renowned for their off-road ability. Picture: Supplied.

This one has all the off-road kit, but would you use it?

The Summit Reserve’s the only grade to score Jeep’s full off-road package, but how many buyers will care? A two-speed transfer case sees it slip into low range with barely a peep, while air suspension offers huge 276mm ground clearance and 610mm wading. Other grades have only full-time 4WD, 215mm and 530mm respectively. My off-road test showed it has great climbing ability but its long wheelbase meant regular underbody bumps. The 21-inch polished alloy wheels and road tyres also don’t look right in the bush. This Summit Reserve looks more at home on a wine trail rather than a muddy one.

The Grand Cherokee doesn’t mind getting dirty. Picture: Supplied.

There’s good and bad news on the driving fronts

While its cornering skills can’t challenge a BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne, the 2270kg Jeep feels safe, steers accurately and keeps body roll well in check. It cruises serenely and the eight-speed auto’s buttery smooth, but boy do you miss the torque of a big diesel engine. The V6 petrol sounds muscular and is fine for town, but it lacks punch and drank 12L/100km on our test. The paddle shifters are the smallest I’ve yet encountered, the brakes felt spongy and Jeep’s ‘Active Lane Management’ incessantly beeped at every opportunity – even when driving between the white lines. Mercifully, this behemoth has a self-parking system to protect its pretty panels.