Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011-2022) - Practicality, comfort and boot space

Just so you know, this is an older review of the 2011-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee. If you are interested in information about the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee, or news of upcoming Jeep models, please follow the links provided.

You’d expect the accommodation in such a huge car to be pretty lavish, and there’s loads of space for five passengers, while the seats themselves are comfortable, with lots of adjustment.

Up front, storage could be better, though, as the door bins are small and the standard-fit CD player takes up the centre armrest cubby. Worse still, the pedal area is rather cramped, with no left footrest, while the foot-operated parking brake is uncomfortably close to your shin.

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You do get a good view of the road, but the Grand Cherokee’s far-flung extremities make it a bit awkward on tight back roads or when manoeuvring – the standard-fit reversing camera is essential.

Size

The Grand Cherokee measures up at 4,824mm long, 1,943mm wide and 1,792mm high. The Land Rover Discovery is 4,829mm x 1,915mm x 1,912mm, while the BMW X5 is 4,886mm x 1,938mm x 1,762mm 

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Rear-seat space is good, with room for three across the back, and there’ll be no complaints about leg or headroom. The chairs recline, albeit rather stiffly, while there are air vents and two USB sockets in the back. Isofix child seat mounts are standard issue, too.

Boot

Jeep quotes a 782-litre boot capacity for the Grand Cherokee, but this is to the roof, and space inside is surprisingly poor, considering the car’s huge dimensions. The extending load cover is mounted quite low, too – rivals like the BMW X5 and VW Touareg have covers that are level with the window line – so it doesn’t make the most of the possible space on offer.

The Jeep’s seat-folding mechanisms are quite stiff, too, and a maximum boot capacity of 1,554 litres with them folded is less than you get in some rivals.

Convenient extras include lowered access mode suspension. There’s a powered tailgate as well, although the button to close it is located in the boot, so you have to get out of the way before it starts to shut. 

Towing

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a strong tow car, with the bulk of the 3.0-litre V6 diesels being able to pull 3,500kg.