For the first 20 years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a new generation appeared every five years or so. The current fourth generation has been around for quite a while though. The Grand Cherokee was last redesigned about 10 years ago. However, buyers who have been eagerly awaiting an updated version will soon get their wish with the introduction of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

A history of the Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a long history that spans almost 30 years. The smaller Jeep Cherokee arrived in 1975, according to Jeep’s history. It helped usher in the SUV style of vehicles. Following the retirement of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, Jeep introduced the Grand Cherokee in 1993. It was a mid-size SUV, bigger and more luxurious than the Cherokee.

In 1998 the Chrysler Corporation, which had bought Jeep’s parent company American Motors in 1987, merged with Daimler-Benz. New generations of the Grand Cherokee then appeared for model years 1999, 2005, and 2011. But since then, there has not been a new generation of the Grand Cherokee.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

After a long wait, the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be fully redesigned for model year 2022, kicking off its fifth generation. (Photos aren’t available yet from Jeep.) It will continue its long tradition as an off-road SUV. The 2022 Grand Cherokee will be built on a platform similar to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and share a basic chassis with the Maserati Grecale crossover. According to MotorTrend, this new architecture should “improve upon the model’s on-road dynamics without sacrificing its off-road capability.”

The 2022 Grand Cherokee is expected to come standard with rear-wheel drive but offer four-wheel drive as an option on all trim levels. The new Grand Cherokee will probably have a two-speed transfer case on some trim levels to provide additional power for off-roading and a more basic option for lower trims.

MotorTrend thinks the 2022 Grand Cherokee will have lots of engine options, with the current standard engine remaining the same. Today’s base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing almost 300 hp. A 5.7-liter V-8 engine, generating more than 350 hp, will probably be available too. The Wrangler has several more engines, which may also be available in the Grand Cherokee: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V6, and possibly a hybrid option as well. New trims will likely include SRT models. MotorTrend guesses these could include a “Desert Rated” trim like the Gladiator Mojave and possibly a Trackhawk, with its 707-hp engine.

The first version of the new Grand Cherokee to be released is expected to be a long-wheelbase version with three rows. A new option for the Grand Cherokee, the third row will probably be pretty small and best for kids. A shorter-wheelbase version for five people will come later, possibly for 2023. As part of the Grand Cherokee’s interior updates, MotorTrend is guessing that the SUV will feature either an 8.4-inch or a 12.0-inch touchscreen along with the current infotainment system.

Possible pricing for the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2022 Grand Cherokee will likely have multiple trim levels, including high-end options and off-road options, all with varying price points. The new prices for the 2022 Grand Cherokee haven’t yet been announced, but they are expected to be slightly more than the current prices for the 2020 model. Today’s Grand Cherokee has a starting price of $34,000. Top trims may cost more than $60,000, with high-performance and off-road trims above that.

More information about the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee is expected to come from Jeep soon. MotorTrend anticipates that sales will begin sometime during 2021.