BEHIND THE WHEEL: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit is an adventure on and off the road

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, like all other Jeep vehicles is synonymous with rugged off-road prowess.

However, on this one you get a notch above the average with a lavish interior and high-end features. 

A midsize SUV with three rows of seats for six or seven passengers, for 2023 there have only been minor changes on the Grand Cherokee and the L Summit trim. I drove the Summit for my round of testing and it was a standout, offering a premium experience with materials in the interior that feels nothing short of a comfortable cocoon both for the driver and the passenger. 

COMPETITION 

The competition for the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee includes the Land Rover Discovery, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, and the Volkswagen Atlas. Certainly, each of these brands have their standouts and often in this class it is a matter of brand loyalty, however Jeep is still the rugged best. One owner I know likens his Jeep Grand Cherokee to riding in first class.

TRIM LEVEL 

There is a plethora of trims on the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, a midsize SUV with three rows of seats for six or seven passengers. Trim levels include the Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit and Summit Reserve. There is also the variety of Quadra-Trac packages; 1 offers a 4WD system with single-speed transfer case and no low-range gearing and Quadra-Trac II offers a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing and a neutral mode capability and there is a Quadra-Drive II package, which is like the Quadra-Trac II, only it has a fully automatic high-range 4WD.

For the Summit trim I drove the basic on this trim level is offered with the addition of a gloss black roof, 16-way adjustable power front seats with memory settings and massage, four-zone automatic climate control, nine-speaker Alpine audio, a lane keeping system, an automated parking system, and the Quadra-Drive II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension.

UNDER THE HOOD

All the 2023 Grand Cherokees are standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine offering 290 horsepower and 257 pound-ft of torque. Also optional is a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-ft on the Summit trim.  Keep in mind though, you have to have the 4WD model for the V8 to be an option on this one. No matter the engine you always get an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the four-wheel drive is optional on all trims, expect the Summit Reserve, because it comes standard on that one. 

SAFETY FIRST 

All the standard safety Jeep features are offered on the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Expect blind spot and lane departure warnings, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention alert, dual front-side mounted airbags as well as front, rear and third row airbags, stability control, child seat anchors, 4-wheel ABS and traction control. 

Overall, this vehicle has earned an “good” rating, and that is the highest designation regarding driver injury measures.

ALONG FOR THE RIDE 

Lots of space in the 2023 Grand Cherokee. There is a longer wheelbase and with the three rows of space it makes family road trips an absolute joy. You get plenty of cargo space here whether it be for stretching your legs or space in the trunk. There is also plenty of space for hauling camping gear.

I think every part of the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Summit trim interior has been thoughtfully designed for comfort. I especially appreciated the easy-to-use technology with the intuitive infotainment system. An upscale delight from the Jeep family, yet never doubt the power this one yields for rugged terrain if the need should arise.

Overall, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit is an impressive SUV seamlessly blending the best of both worlds. So, if you’re looking to embrace the wilderness in style or take that next high-end road trip, the Grand Cherokee L Summit has you covered.

Should You Need to Know:  The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit is part of the L generation the brand rolled out in 2021.

Miles: The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit will get you 21 miles per gallon combined.

Cost: The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit price tag is around $66,000 to start.

Rita Cook is a member of Women’s World Car of the Year and Texas Motor Press Association. She is the co-host of ECP-TV and has published 10 books while covering a lifestyle, auto, travel, crime, and political beat for various newspapers and magazines. You can follow her at @ritatheroguewarrior on instagram and @ritacook13 on twitter.