2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee: What's Changed

CARS.COM

• Most significant changes in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee: New Trailhawk off-road model and standard rear camera on Laredo vehicles.
• Price change: Prices are up by $300 on the Laredo and Overland; $330 on the Limited; $600 on the Summit; and $1,100 on the SRT.
• On sale: Early September
• Which should you buy, 2016 or 2017? 2016

Related: 2017 Jeep Cherokee: What’s Changed

For 2017, Jeep is adding a Trailhawk model to its Grand Cherokee lineup, bolstering the off-road credentials of its largest SUV. The Trailhawk comes with Kevlar-reinforced off-road tires, Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, air suspension, hill-ascent and -descent control, skid plates, black leather interior and the ability to display suspension readings on its 8.4-inch touch-screen.

With a base price of $43,990 (including the $995 destination fee), the Trailhawk fits between the Limited and Overland in price. The Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup also includes base Laredo, upscale Summit and performance SRT models. The returning models get a new front grille for 2017 and the Laredo adds a standard rearview camera.

A 3.6-liter V-6 is standard on all models except the SRT, which uses a 475-horsepower, 6.4-liter V-8. The base Laredo comes only with the V-6, but a 5.7-liter V-8 and a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V-6 are optional on other models (except the SRT). All models have an eight-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is standard on the Trailhawk and SRT trims, and the others come with rear drive or four-wheel drive.

Though the Jeep Grand Cherokee seats five, same as the smaller Jeep Cherokee, it is truly the grander of the two, with more passenger and cargo volume, larger engines with a choice of four instead of two, and price tags that top $50,000 at the upper end of the line. The availability of a diesel V-6 rated at 30 mpg on the highway is a plus for those who care about fuel economy, but the price premium is steep at $4,500.

This year’s Grand Cherokee lineup allows buyers to pick from models that range from basic to opulent versions that rival some luxury SUVs with their incredible options and, for those with wilder tastes, the off-road Trailhawk and drag-racer SRT trims. In addition, the Grand Cherokee can tow up to 7,400 pounds. Its biggest shortcoming is the lack of third-row seating, which many competing vehicles offer at equal or lower cost.