Grand Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee L: Which Jeep Fits Your Family?

The Grand Cherokee L is the stretched, three-row version of the Grand Cherokee: about 11.4 inches longer on a 5-inch-longer wheelbase, with seating for six or seven and more cargo room. It shares the engines and most of the interior. For 2026 the L starts at $40,920, $2,000 above the two-row Grand Cherokee's $38,920.

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 3, 2026

Grand Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee L: specs side by side

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee L: price, size, seating, cargo, engines and towing
Spec	Grand Cherokee (2-row)	Grand Cherokee L (3-row)
2026 starting MSRP (USD)	$38,920	$40,920
Overall length (in)	193.5	204.9
Wheelbase (in)	116.7	121.7
Seating	5	6 or 7 (captain’s chairs or 2nd-row bench)
Cargo behind 2nd row (cu ft)	37.7	46.9
Max cargo (cu ft)	70.8	84.6
Cargo behind 3rd row (cu ft)	—	17.2
Engines (2026)	3.6L V6 293 hp; 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo 324 hp	3.6L V6 293 hp; 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo 324 hp
Plug-in hybrid (4xe), 2022–2025	Offered	Never offered
Max towing (lb)	6,200	6,200

Jeep-published figures. Towing is the maximum when properly equipped; earlier Grand Cherokee L models with the 5.7L V8 were rated higher. Cargo volumes are SAE figures with seats upright.

Who should buy which

Grand Cherokee (2-row) — easier to park, lower price, and the only one that has been offered as a 4xe plug-in hybrid. Best if you rarely carry more than five people.
Grand Cherokee L — a usable third row and about 14 cu ft more maximum cargo space for $2,000 more at the entry level. Best for families who need occasional seats six and seven without moving up to a full-size SUV like the Grand Wagoneer.

Cross-shopping Toyota? See CarWhere's Toyota 4Runner vs Jeep Grand Cherokee comparison.

Depreciation: Grand Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee L

Median used asking prices in CarWhere's live listings show both lose value at a similar pace; the L has tended to retain a little more of its new price in the first five years.

Grand Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee L: median used asking price and percent below new, by age
Age	Grand Cherokee median price (USD)	Grand Cherokee below new (%)	Grand Cherokee L median price (USD)	Grand Cherokee L below new (%)
New (2026)	$49,974	—	$51,649	—
1 year old	$34,879	30.2%	$37,594	27.2%
2 years old	$27,863	44.2%	$32,879	36.3%
3 years old	$28,681	42.6%	$30,199	41.5%
5 years old	$22,179	55.6%	$25,761	50.1%

CarWhere live-listing depreciation study, data as of 2026-10-25. “Below new” compares the median asking price of that model year with the median price of a new one today; model-level medians mix trims, cabs and options. Full curves: Grand Cherokee depreciation and Grand Cherokee L depreciation.

Before you buy a used Grand Cherokee

The current generation launched with the Grand Cherokee L for 2021 and the two-row model for 2022, so early model years overlap. Check Grand Cherokee years to avoid and Jeep reliability by model, see the Grand Cherokee build sheet page for which options to verify, and compare prices with dealer invoice price by model.

Comparing used Grand Cherokees? Verify the factory build

Trim names repeat across both versions, and the equipment that matters — engine, 4x4 system, air suspension, towing package, seating layout — varies VIN to VIN. Check the exact factory options of the SUV you are looking at before you buy. Enter the VIN on the Jeep build sheet page: the availability check is free, and you pay $9.99 only if detailed build data exists for that vehicle.

Jeep build sheet by VIN

Free availability check first · $9.99 one-time only if detailed build data exists for the VIN · no subscription

FAQ

What is the difference between the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L?

The Grand Cherokee L is the long-wheelbase, three-row version. Jeep’s published specifications put it at about 204.9 in long on a 121.7-in wheelbase, versus about 193.5 in and 116.7 in for the two-row Grand Cherokee, which gives the L a third row and more cargo space. Engines and interiors are largely shared.

How much more is the Grand Cherokee L?

For 2026, jeep.com lists the two-row Grand Cherokee from $38,920 and the Grand Cherokee L (3-row) from $40,920 MSRP, a $2,000 difference at the entry point. Both prices exclude destination, taxes, title and registration.

Does the Grand Cherokee L have a third row?

Yes — standard. The Grand Cherokee L seats six or seven depending on whether it has second-row captain’s chairs or a bench, and Jeep offers a power-folding third-row bench. The regular Grand Cherokee is two-row only, seating five.

Which engines do they share?

Both offer the 3.6L Pentastar V6 (293 hp) and, new for 2026, the 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo with 324 hp and 332 lb-ft, per jeep.com. The 4xe plug-in hybrid has been offered only on the two-row Grand Cherokee, and the 5.7L V8 was available on earlier Grand Cherokee L models.

Which holds value better, the Grand Cherokee or Grand Cherokee L?

In CarWhere’s live-listing depreciation study, the Grand Cherokee L has held a slightly higher share of its new price at most ages from one to five years. Model-level medians mix trims and options, so compare specific trims before deciding.

Sources

Jeep — 2026 Grand Cherokee (jeep.com) — starting at $38,920 MSRP; 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo 324 hp / 332 lb-ft; 6,200-lb max towing (read November 3, 2026)
Jeep — 2026 Grand Cherokee L 3-row (jeep.com) — starting at $40,920 MSRP; 3-row seating, power-folding 3rd-row bench
Jeep — 2027 Grand Cherokee (jeep.com) — 3.6L Pentastar V6 and available 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo
Stellantis North America media — Grand Cherokee / Grand Cherokee L specifications — length, wheelbase, cargo volumes
CarWhere — Car depreciation by model (live-listing study)

MSRPs from jeep.com, read November 3, 2026, exclude destination, taxes, title and registration. Dimensions and cargo volumes are Jeep-published figures for the current (WL) generation; towing depends on engine and equipment.