2022 Grand Cherokee a bit delayed; does it look like this?
Last week, longtime Chrysler enthusiast site allpar.com posted their ideas on the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, codenamed WL (the current one is the WK2). The site seems to be assuming that the next Grand Cherokee will look much like the current one, except with more of a “fuselage” style on the sides, and a Jeep Grand Commander (China-only model) look to the front.
The WL Grand Cherokee, like the current WK2, will spawn a three-row version—but the new Grand Cherokee’s will be a Jeep, while the current one’s is the Dodge Durango. The current Durango is supposedly going to continue, for people who want to tow heavy loads or who perhaps prefer the Dodge brand.
Allpar has predicted that the WL will still be a unibody, rear-drive-based SUV with a multi-link rear suspension. The front suspension might be a double-wishbone design like the Alfa Romeo Giulia, and it might use torque vectoring using dual clutches—and magnetic ride control, as an option.
Engine options are interesting, largely because we would not have expected a 5.7 Hemi, but did expect a turbo-straight-six. The engines, though, seem to be based on current Ram 1500s (V6 with eTorque mild-hybrid, Hemi with eTorque mild-hybrid) with a hybrid-enabled turbo four from the Wrangler. A PHEV is coming later, but there’s no word on a Hellcat. Eight-speed transmissions carry forward.
Allpar is probably optimistic on timing; they expect the three-row WL to debut in late 2020, but we’d expect it in early 2021. The two-row Grand Cherokee should come within a few months.
Clark Westfield grew up fixing up and driving past-their-prime American cars, including various GM and Mopar V8s. He has ghostwritten auto news for the last few years, and lives in Farmingdale, New York.