Should You Take the Jeep Grand Cherokee Off-Road?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in a wide variety of trim levels, but the Trailawk is the best suited for off-road adventuring.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Jeep
has long been a name that’s synonymous with off-road driving, and the Grand Cherokee continues the tradition in style. While some trim levels are better suited than others, you won’t be disappointed with any of their performances on the trails. Jeeps have been around for a long time, and the name is often used as a catch-all for any kind of rugged off-road vehicle. But there’s only one true Jeep, as purists and fans will be happy to remind you. The Jeep Grand Cherokee retains the rugged capability of its military roots while upping the ante in the comfort and style department.
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Can the Jeep Grand Cherokee go off-road?
Yes—Jeeps are renowned for their off-road abilities, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee is capable of going off-road. That being said, some trim levels are better suited to the task than others.
The Grand Cherokee starts at $38,720, but if you want the solidly off-road ready
Trailhawk
trim, then the MSRP jumps to $54,630. No matter what trim level you choose, the Grand Cherokee can navigate the off-road world with aplomb. Rated a 9/10 by Car and Driver for 2022 and named as an Editors’ Choice, it’s a Jeep’s Jeep. Let’s take a closer look at the features and specs that make the Grand Cherokee a solid option for off-road performance.
Ground clearance
Ground clearance is a highly important spec when it comes to off-roading vehicles. This is the distance between the lowest part of a vehicle chassis and the ground, and it can make all the difference between clearing that boulder and wedging your axle on it. Most experts advise that any off-road vehicle should have a minimum of 8.5 inches of ground clearance.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with a passable ground clearance of 8.4 inches, which is just short of the minimum. This will be okay for some moderate off-road action, but if you want to tackle anything serious, you’ll want to upgrade to the Trailhawk trim level. This will bring your ground clearance up to a healthy 11.3 inches, which means you’ll be able to clear some serious obstacles.
Torque
Everyone likes to talk about horsepower, but if you’re a hardcore off-roader you know that torque is the number to bet on. While more horses may mean more speed, more torque means more power.
The best off-road vehicles have a generous dose of low-end torque—that’s high amounts of torque at lower rpm. Because slow and steady power matters more than speed when you’re off-road, low-end torque is key to successfully navigating rough terrain versus spinning your wheels and getting nowhere fast. All the horses in the world won’t get you anywhere but stuck if they can't get any purchase.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a maximum torque of 260 ft-lb @ 4000 RPM. Powertrain options are a 3.6 liter V6, a 5.7 liter Hemi V8, or a plug-in hybrid 4xe. No matter what engine you go with, the Grand Cherokee offers a nice amount of low-end torque and should be capable of powering through just about any terrain.
Tires
The tires you get will depend on the trim level you choose, but all of them will be suitable for all-terrain driving purposes. The Trailhawk trim comes with 18-inch wheels and P265/60R18 tires, which translates into some hardcore hiking boots for your Jeep.
While all-terrain and off-road tires won’t last as long as standard ones, their grippy, aggressive tread pattern offers better traction that will keep you steady when you’re off the beaten path.
Drivetrain
The entry-level Jeep Grand Cherokee is rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is standard with the V8 or hybrid powertrains. There are three different levels of 4x4 systems that you can choose from, including the Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II.
The available Selec-Terrain Traction Management System lets you choose from Auto, Sport, Snow, Rock, or Mud/Sand at the flip of a switch. Suffice to say, you’ll be able to build a Jeep Grand Cherokee that can handle any terrain.
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When you’re offroading, it’s important to remember to work the angles: specifically, the approach angle and departure angle. Let’s break those down:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
The base level Jeep Grand Cherokee has approach and departure angles of 20.5 and 26.5 degrees, respectively. This is enough for some moderate off-road action, but serious off-roaders will want to go for the Trailhawk, with an impressive 35.7-degree approach angle and a 30.2-degree departure angle.
The Grand Cherokee also offers the option of air suspension, which will automatically adjust the vehicle’s height to the optimal level.
Off-road rating: Trail Boss for Trailhawk trim, Rough and Ready for others
We’ve rated the Jeep Grand Cherokee Off Road using
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below: Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
Overall, the Jeep Grand Cherokee earns theRough and Ready badge. One could make a case that it deserves to be called Trail Boss, but we feel that distinction should go to the trail-rated Trailhawk trim with its massive ground clearance, standard traction control, and 4x4 drivetrain.
The best off-road alternatives to the Jeep Grand Cherokee
If the Grand Cherokee isn’t for you, the good news is there are plenty of options in and around the same ballpark. Here are a few of the best alternatives to the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
2022 Ford Explorer | $33,745 | Fans of Fords will like the Explorer, which is priced a little lower and also offers the option of a hybrid drivetrain. |
2021 Dodge Durango | $33,877 | This macho beast also has the option for a V8 hemi, and what it lacks in comfort and high-end features it makes up for in attitude. |
MORE:Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
One downside of owning an off-road capable vehicle is that it can be more expensive to both buy and insure. Off-roading poses a higher risk to your vehicle, so insurance companies will charge you a higher rate to cover any potential losses.
But by shopping with
Jerry
for the lowest rates, you’ll be sure to get the car insurance
coverage you need for your Jeep at a price that fits your budget. On average, Jerry users save over $800 per year on car insurance. And if you want that Trailhawk trim (and who wouldn’t) every little bit will help!“Jerryhandles everything from finding quotes to signing on new policies right in the app. No more filling out hundreds of forms! Thank you, Jerry, for helping my move to a new state feel hassle-free.” —Dolores T.
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