How much bigger is the Cherokee L?

As of right now, Jeep hasn't released any official pricing info on its latest three-row, but with the regular two-row Grand Cherokee coming in at just over $34,000, it's safe to assume this new larger and in-charger Grand Cherokee L will start at just short of or at the $40,000 mark.

Visually, the all-new three-row is best seen as a blend of the current-generation (read: old) Grand Cherokee and the (new) 2022 Grand Wagoneer concept, incorporating the latter's small-ish seven-slot grille and upright proportions, especially around back where the extended roof leads to a more squared-off design than the current two-row. The most noticeable exterior difference aside from the extra-angular derriere is the gaping portion of the lower front fascia, where a new intake section is present in place of the existing Grand Cherokee's small-ish mouth.

As expected with the addition of a third-row, the entire Jeep Grand Cherokee L is longer and larger than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. (Specifications for the new, two-row Grand Cherokee that soon will join the new L model are forthcoming.) If you park the standard two-row Grand Cherokee next to the new three-row Grand Cherokee L, you'll find the wheelbase of the three-row has grown by seven inches to a total of 121.7 inches, while front and rear track grows by 1.5-inches and 1.3-inches, respectively.

Length extends as well, with the Grand Cherokee L incorporating an additional 15.1-inches in length when compared to the standard SUV. It's wider, too—the three-row Grand Cherokee L adds an extra 2.2-inches of overall width to the mix. Expect the new two-row Grand Cherokee, which will arrive late this year, likely as a 2022 model, to grow slightly.

With the addition of a third row comes a completely revised interior, replete with a reworked center console and driver gauge cluster. With a redesigned steering wheel, interior upholstery, a new 10.1-inch display, and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, the interior cockpit is a substantially more modern environment than the outgoing two-row Grand Cherokee. Find all this new finery sharp, but you don't need the extra space afforded by the third row? Look for this rejiggered interior to make its way to the redesigned two-row Grand Cherokee later this year.

As you might expect from a three-row variant, the Grand Cherokee L expands the interior space, and not just for those in the new third-row. For starters, the total SAE interior passenger volume rises from 105.4 cu. ft. in the standard Grand Cherokee (GC) to 159.1 cu. ft in the Grand Cherokee L (GC L).

Predictably, front headroom changes only slightly with a 0.1-inch reduction compared to the two-row GC, contrasted by a 1.0-inch improvement in front legroom and 0.5-inch increase in shoulder room in the GC L. Second row headroom balloons by 0.7-inch, while the second-row shoulder room remains unchanged. The GC L's third row passengers enjoy a relatively expansive 37.3-inch headroom clearance, while third-row legs aren't hyper-cramped with a 30.2-inch legroom clearance.  Shoulder room is a decent 51.9 inches for the third row.

Accompanying this extra row of seats is additional cargo capacity, as the new GC L packs significantly more interior cargo volume than the standard GC with an extra 16.3 cu. ft. of maximum capacity (84.6 cu. ft total) compared to the regular two-row GC. With the third-row folded down—which we expect to be a common occurrence from future GC L owners—cargo capacity over the standard GC grows by 10.3 cu. ft. to 46.9 cu. ft. With the third-row in place, cargo capacity is a relatively voluminous 17.2 cu. ft.

Contrary to both exterior and interior dimensions, powertrains aren't changed over the standard GC. The GC L's base engine remains the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6—with five less hp and three lb-ft less than the standard GC—at 290 hp and 257 lb-ft routed through the same eight-speed automatic transmission. Upgrade to the GC L's 5.7-liter V-8, and power drops three hp to 357 hp from 360 hp, but torque remains the same 390 lb-ft as the two-row GC. If you have dreams of hauling extended family members while towing jet-skis to the family lake house, the 5.7-liter GC L has you covered with 7,200-pounds of towing capacity if you equip the GC L correctly.

For now, the two-row Grand Cherokee's performance SRT and SRT Hellcat's engine options are not on the table for the new GC L, but we won't discount future SRT variants, especially as the similar three-row Dodge Durango SRT and Durango SRT Hellcat exist.

Don't mistake the new three-row Grand Cherokee as a perfect compromise between the two-row GC and the forthcoming Grand Wagoneer. If you truly believe you will utilize a third row for more just the occasional family dinner, we suggest waiting for the larger Grand Wagoneer, whenever that hits production lines. However, if you could use the sporadic convenience of an extra row while taking advantage of the GC L's redesigned interior and exterior, the GC L is a good compromise, provided you don't have buyer's remorse when the larger Grand Wagoneer hits dealer lots.

On the other hand, if you like the look of the GC L, or its newness, but have no need the additional third-row capacity, you might want to hold off on upgrading for a few months, considering the two-row Grand Cherokee will receive the same aesthetic and mechanical updates as the new three-row GC L in the near future.