This week I am behind the wheel of the refreshed 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit 4x4, the most luxurious version of Jeep's three-row Grand Cherokee lineup. For 2026, Jeep updated the Grand Cherokee family with refreshed styling, upgraded technology, and a new Hurricane turbocharged four-cylinder engine that replaces the long-running Pentastar V6. The changes aren't dramatic, but they're meaningful, especially under the hood where the new engine brings more power and torque than before.
I've always felt the Grand Cherokee was one of the best-looking SUVs on the road, and the 2026 refresh only improves it.
My tester wears Silver Zynith paint and includes the $2,000 Obsidian Package, which completely transforms the personality of this vehicle. Instead of the traditional chrome-heavy luxury SUV look-the black roof, black grille treatment, dark trim, tinted glass, and black 21-inch wheels give it a much sportier and more upscale appearance. Walking up to it in a parking lot, it looks expensive. In fact, several people asked about it during my week with the Jeep.
Even though this is the long-wheelbase "L" version, it doesn't look stretched or awkward. The proportions are excellent, and Jeep's designers did a terrific job making this three-row SUV appear athletic instead of bulky. The updated front fascia and lighting sharpen the overall look without losing the Grand Cherokee's familiar identity.
Performance
Power comes from Jeep's new 2.0-liter Hurricane turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Output is 324-horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, improvements over the outgoing V6. Summit models come standard with Jeep's Quadra-Trac II four-wheel-drive system, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, Selec-Terrain traction management, and semi-active damping. It is rated to tow 6,200 pounds.
The first thing I noticed behind the wheel was how quiet this SUV is, even at around 80 miles per hour. Jeep has done an excellent job isolating road and wind noise. Combined with the air suspension, the Grand Cherokee L glides down the highway in a manner that feels more like a luxury SUV than traditional Jeep.
The new Hurricane engine is also a welcome improvement, and I don’t mind telling you I was concerned about it before driving it. It delivers strong low-end torque and feels noticeably quicker than the V6 it replaces. Highway passing is effortless, and the 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth and well matched to the powertrain. Around town, the big Jeep feels refined and responsive, while the air suspension does a remarkable job soaking up rough pavement. There is an ever-so-slight turbo lag when you really floor it, but that is not a deal killer for me. Still, I will say I was a big Pentastar fan from way back. In the Summit trim, the 2.0 is the only engine available, but something tells me that could change in the future.
Interior
Open the door and you're greeted by one of the nicest interiors Jeep has ever produced in a BEAUTIFUL color. The Tupelo & Palermo leather seats are absolutely gorgeous. The rich tan color brightens the cabin, while the diamond-quilted stitching on the seats and door panels creates a premium look that rivals luxury SUVs costing considerably more.
What impressed me most was the attention to detail. Real wood trim stretches across the dashboard and doors, the black upper dash reduces glare, and the suede-like headliner gives the cabin a warm, upscale feel. This is one of those interiors that makes you want to sit for a moment before starting the engine.
The front seats are exceptional. Both are heated, ventilated, power adjustable, and feature massage functions. The massage system offers multiple settings and is surprisingly effective on longer drives. During my week with the Summit, I found myself using it more often than I expected, it’s not normally something I do except for a quick moment to be able to pass the info on to you, but I could get used to these seats.
One thing Jeep deserves credit for is resisting the temptation to bury every function inside the touchscreen. Physical controls remain for climate functions and other commonly used features like volume and tuning, making the system easy to operate while driving.
The center console deserves special mention because Jeep got it right. The rotary gear selector frees up space and is intuitive to use. Surrounding it are the suspension controls, cupholders, charging ports, and storage compartments. Everything falls naturally to your hand and feels thoughtfully designed. I only wish it were not gloss black. I am on a rampage about gloss black in areas you touch often.
Just behind the shifter is Jeep's Selec-Terrain system, which allows the driver to tailor the vehicle's performance to driving conditions. Auto mode handles everyday driving duties, while Sport sharpens throttle response and transmission behavior for a more responsive feel. Snow mode optimizes traction and stability for slick roads, Sand/Mud mode adjusts wheel slip and throttle calibration for loose surfaces, and Rock mode works with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, electronic limited-slip differential, and four-wheel-drive system to maximize off-road capability on challenging terrain.
Music lovers will appreciate the 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system powered by a 950-watt amplifier. Not only does it sound fantastic, but the distinctive McIntosh speaker grilles add a touch of sophistication throughout the cabin.
Second-row passengers are treated almost as well as those riding up front. The heated and ventilated captain's chairs are separated by a fixed center console with storage and cupholders, giving the second row a first-class feel. There is ample legroom thanks to the extended wheelbase, and rear passengers get dedicated climate controls, charging ports, and access to the dual Amazon Fire TV screens. There are window shades for the rear passengers as well.
The third row is better than many midsize competitors. Adults, if they aren’t too large, can fit comfortably for shorter trips, while children will have plenty of room. The second-row captain's chairs feature Jeep's one-touch tip-and-slide system, making access to the third row easier than many competitors.
Utility
Cargo capacity is another strength of the Grand Cherokee L. With all three rows in place, there is 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, enough for groceries, sports equipment, or a weekend's worth of luggage.
Fold the power-operated third row flat and capacity expands to 46.9 cubic feet, creating a large and versatile cargo area. Fold both the second and third rows and cargo space grows to an impressive 84.6 cubic feet, leaving a long, flat load floor that makes hauling furniture, home improvement supplies, or bulky cargo surprisingly easy for a luxury three-row SUV.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment on the Summit is extensive and includes Quadra-Trac II four-wheel drive, an electronic limited-slip rear axle, Quadra-Lift air suspension, Selec-Terrain system, semi-active damping, a trailer-tow package, and hands-free power liftgate.
Inside, it comes with Uconnect 5 navigation with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio with a 950-watt amplifier, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Google built-in, SiriusXM 360L, Jeep Connect connected services, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, connected travel and traffic services, wireless charging pad, front passenger interactive display, 12-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, power driver seat with back massager, power front passenger seat with back massager, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, ventilated rear seats, heated steering wheel, four-zone automatic temperature control, multi-color ambient interior lighting, third-row 50/50 power-folding seat, and third-row charge-only USB ports.
Safety
Safety equipment is equally impressive and includes Active Driving Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Active Lane Management, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection, Side Distance Warning, Intersection Collision Assist, Drowsy Driver Detection, Surround View Camera System, Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist with Stop, Hill Start Assist, Trailer Sway Control, tire pressure monitoring display, and Rear Seat Object Alert.
My tester was equipped with several options that pushed the price higher but also added some impressive technology. Silver Zynith paint added $595, while the Customer Preferred Package 2CU added $995 and includes a Head-Up Display, Night Vision with Pedestrian and Animal Detection, and an Interior Rear-Facing Camera. The Obsidian Package added $2,000 and brings dark exterior accents along with black 21-inch aluminum wheels that dramatically enhance the SUV's appearance.
Rear-seat passengers benefit from the $1,995 Rear Seat Entertainment Group, which includes dual 10.1-inch Amazon Fire TV screens, while the Hands-Free Active Driving Assist System added another $2,995, bringing advanced semi-autonomous driving capability to an already technology-rich SUV.
Verdict
What surprised me most about the Grand Cherokee L Summit is how successfully Jeep blends luxury, technology, capability, and practicality. Between the upscale interior, air suspension, quiet cabin, massage seats, McIntosh audio system, and impressive technology package, this Jeep often feels more like a luxury SUV from Europe than something wearing a Jeep badge.
EPA fuel economy is rated at 20 MPG city, 25 MPG highway, and 22 MPG combined. The air suspension can also raise the vehicle for additional ground clearance off-road or lower it for easier entry and exit. The total MSRP, including destination, is $72,770. At that price, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit 4x4 isn't inexpensive. However, when you compare what it offers against luxury-branded competitors costing $10,000 to $20,000 more, it begins to look like a very smart buy.
If you need three rows but don't want the size of a full-size SUV, the Grand Cherokee L Summit deserves serious consideration. The updates for 2026 make an already excellent SUV even better.
Photo: 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L with Driftshot AI/iDec Apps. CarPro.