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The Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L are the same Jeep in two lengths. They share the 3.6L V6 and Hurricane 4 turbo engines, the 8-speed automatic, the 6,200-pound maximum towing rating and most of the trim names. The L adds 11.4 inches of length, a 5-inch longer wheelbase and a third row, for seating for six. So the question isn't which one is better. It's whether you'll actually use the third row, and whether you'll miss the shorter Jeep in a tight garage or parking deck.
Choose the two-row if
- You carry five people or fewer, and a third row would mostly stay folded.
- You want the most cargo space behind the second row in the shorter body, or the easiest Jeep to park.
- You want the Trailhawk, with up to 11.4 inches of ground clearance. It's offered as a two-row only.
- You'd rather keep the $2,000 the third row adds to each trim's starting price.
Choose the L if
- You regularly carry six, or kids with friends, car seats and sports gear.
- You want more second-row legroom: 39.4 inches, with sliding second-row bucket seats and a walkway to the third row.
- You need cargo room and five seats at the same time: 46.9 cubic feet behind the second row with the third row folded.
- You tow, and still need a third row. Properly equipped, the L is rated for the same 6,200 pounds as the two-row.
Grand Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee L, by the numbers
| Spec | Grand Cherokee (2-row) | Grand Cherokee L (3-row) |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | Up to 5 | 6, with second-row bucket seats |
| Overall length | 193.5 in. | 204.9 in. |
| Wheelbase | 116.7 in. | 121.7 in. |
| Width (without mirrors) and height | 77.5 in. / 70.8 in. | 77.5 in. / 71.5 in. |
| Ground clearance | Up to 11.4 in. (Trailhawk) | 8.5 in. (Laredo and Limited) |
| Second-row legroom | 38.2 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Third-row legroom | None | 30.3 in. |
| Cargo behind 3rd row | None | 17.2 cu. ft. |
| Cargo behind 2nd row | 37.7 cu. ft. | 46.9 cu. ft. |
| Maximum cargo | 70.8 cu. ft. | 84.6 cu. ft. |
| Engines | 3.6L Pentastar® V6 on Laredo and Laredo X; 2.0L Hurricane 4 turbo on Laredo Altitude and up | 3.6L V6 (293 hp, 260 lb-ft) on Laredo; 2.0L Hurricane 4 turbo (324 hp, 332 lb-ft) on Limited and Summit |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | |
| Maximum towing | Up to 6,200 lbs. when properly equipped with the Trailer Tow package; 3,500 lbs. without it | |
| Trims | Laredo through Summit, including Laredo Upland, Trailhawk and Overland | Laredo, Laredo X, Laredo Altitude, Limited, Limited Reserve, Summit, Summit Obsidian |
| 2027 starting MSRP | $41,515 | $43,515 |
Engine output and towing figures are Jeep's published ratings. Other specifications match our 2027 Grand Cherokee and 2027 Grand Cherokee L pages and vary by trim and configuration. Starting MSRPs include the $1,995 destination charge; the L reflects the $2,000 third-row premium on the equivalent trim. See our current offers for actual pricing.
The third row, honestly
At 30.3 inches of legroom, the L's third row works well for kids and for adults on shorter trips. It is not a full-size SUV third row. Bring whoever will ride back there on the test drive and have them climb in. With all three rows up, you still have 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, enough for groceries or a stroller but not a week of luggage for six.
The second row matters as much as the third. The L's second-row bucket seats slide to balance legroom between rows and leave a walkway to the back, which makes third-row access much easier when car seats are installed. With all three rows up, ask us to load your stroller or sports gear into the 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row before you decide.
Size: will the L fit your life?
The L is just under 17 feet long, 11.4 inches longer than the two-row. Before you decide, measure your garage from the door to the back wall, and think about the parking you use most: a Somerset Collection deck, a Birmingham street spot or a school pickup line. In our experience, people who need the third row stop noticing the length within a week. People who don't need it notice it every time they park.
If you tow, both are rated up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped. The key word is equipped: without the Trailer Tow package, the rating is 3,500 pounds, so check the window sticker on the exact Jeep you're buying. Tell us the loaded weight of your boat or camper and we'll match the configuration.
Both 2027 models are on our lot
We carry deep 2027 inventory of both the two-row Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L, so you can sit in them back to back on the same visit. For trims, features and colors, see our 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee L pages. Most shoppers who do that decide in minutes. Deciding between model years, too? The 2027 Laredo and Laredo X add a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen, and we can line up a 2026 and a 2027 side by side.
Leasing either one? Our guide to how Jeep leases work in Michigan explains residuals, the 6% Michigan use tax and what to watch at lease end. Stellantis employees, retirees and their families should read Stellantis employee pricing, explained first.
How we'd decide, from the sales floor
Count the people, not the seats. If six ride with you at least once a week, buy the L; a third row you fold most days costs you nothing but parking space. If it's five or fewer almost every day, the two-row is the better Grand Cherokee: shorter, easier to park and $2,000 less on the same trim. If you tow, make sure whichever one you buy has the Trailer Tow package. Either way, drive the V6 and the Hurricane 4 turbo back to back, because the engine difference is bigger than you'd expect.
Matt Chabot, General Sales Manager
Questions we hear at the store
What is the difference between the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L?
The Grand Cherokee L is the long-wheelbase, three-row version. It is 204.9 inches long on a 121.7-inch wheelbase and seats six. The two-row Grand Cherokee is 193.5 inches long on a 116.7-inch wheelbase and seats up to five. Both use the 3.6-liter V6 or the 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 turbo with an 8-speed automatic, and both are rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped.
How much more does the Grand Cherokee L cost?
For 2027, the L carries about a $2,000 higher starting MSRP than the equivalent two-row trim. The two-row starts at $41,515 and the L at $43,515, both including the $1,995 destination charge.
How much room is in the Grand Cherokee L third row?
The third row has 30.3 inches of legroom, which suits kids and adults on shorter trips. There is 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind it with all three rows in use.
Does the Grand Cherokee L tow as much as the two-row?
Yes, when properly equipped. Both are rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds with the Trailer Tow package. Without it, the rating is 3,500 pounds, so check the window sticker on the vehicle you are considering.
Can I get a Grand Cherokee L Trailhawk?
No. The Trailhawk, with up to 11.4 inches of ground clearance, is offered as a two-row Grand Cherokee only. The L is offered in Laredo, Laredo X, Laredo Altitude, Limited, Limited Reserve, Summit and Summit Obsidian trims.
Is the Grand Cherokee L too big for a garage?
The L is about 17 feet long, 11.4 inches longer than the two-row. Measure your garage from the door to the back wall before you decide, and leave room to walk around the vehicle.