Jeep Grand Cherokee Ground Clearance: What To Know

Published April 18, 2023
in Model Info and Features

Most car critics agree that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a comfortable SUV that comes with serious power and upscale features. Its rugged styling and versatility make it one of the most sought-after midsize SUVs in the premium market. It also doubles as a daily commuter and a formidable off-road machine.

What’s becoming more important to consumers is the amount of ground clearance that’s in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This is, of course, when it’s compared to other competing models in the industry. In today’s post, we dive deep into the Jeep Grand Cherokee ground clearance and provide all the necessary information that you need.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Ground Clearance

The Grand Cherokee is in its fifth generation. It’s a five-passenger SUV that is available in seven trim levels. These include the Laredo, Trailhawk, Limited, Summit, Overland, Trackhawk, and SRT.

Both the Trackhawk and SRT trims have a ground clearance of 8.1 inches. The Laredo, Limited, Summit, and Overland ride at a height of 8.6 inches. Lastly, the Trailhawk has a ground clearance of 10.8 inches.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk stands out because it’s built to be the best off-roader in the lineup. It comes with robust off-roading equipment including an Active Drive Lock four-wheel-drive system, off-road suspension, mechanical locking differential, and all-terrain tires.

Over the years, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has maintained a ground clearance of between 8.0 and 8.7 inches for all other trims except the Trailhawk. Here’s a breakdown of the average ride height that came with most of the models from the past years.

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How does the Jeep Grand Cherokee Compare to its Competitors?

Some of the models that rival the Jeep Grand Cherokee include the GMC Terrain, Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Lexus GX, Land Rover Discovery, Dodge Durango, Kia Telluride, Chevrolet Traverse, Volvo XC60, Jaguar F-Pace, and GMC Acadia.

Here’s how the Jeep Grand Cherokee compares against these based on ground clearance.

At 8.6 inches high, the Jeep Grand Cherokee sits higher than nine competing models. These include the GMC Terrain, Nissan Pathfinder, GMC Acadia, Kia Telluride, Chevrolet Traverse, Lexus GX, Dodge Durango, Jaguar F-Pace, and Volvo XC60.

This is, of course, if you’re looking at the Laredo, Limited, Summit, and Overland trims. The Trackhawk and SRT trims sit lower at 8.1 inches and only compare to the Lexus GX and Dodge Durango. However, they have better ground clearance when put beside the GMC Terrain, Nissan Pathfinder, GMC Acadia, Kia Telluride, and Chevrolet Traverse.

When it comes to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, the only two vehicles that have a higher ride height include the Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Discovery. The Discovery is ranked top among many other SUVs that boast the largest ground clearance in the US. It is, however, defeated by the Range Rover Vogue which rides at 11.6 inches.

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Activities That You Can Do With the Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee is a confident premium SUV that comes with all the necessary features to back this up. It has proven severally that it packs the power and capability to perform under tough conditions. So, if you’re wondering how reliable the vehicle is out in the wild, worry not.

Its 8.1, 8.6, and 10.8-inches of ground clearance work together with other best-in-class features to provide the best experience off-road. You’re not likely to get any scratches or damages to its undercarriage while driving over rocky ground.

Here are some of the activities that you can do with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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1. Driving in snow and rain

The Grand Cherokee’s rugged design allows it to battle all weather conditions with confidence and skill. If you ever find yourself trying to maneuver through a snowstorm or some heavy rain, the Cherokee is well-equipped to have your back and that of your passengers at all times. Its ground clearance and 4x4 systems provide unmatched capability in such situations.

2. Heavy Towing

It’s no secret that the Jeep Grand Cherokee houses undeniable power. Based on the engine option that you choose and how well your vehicle is equipped, you can tow between 3,500 and 7,200 pounds. This means that you can pull a camper, pop-up trailer, an airstream, your gear, a boat, and anything else in between.

3. Great for on- and off-road driving

Most of the previous Jeep Grand Cherokee models were packed with off-road capabilities. This was to ensure that the vehicle could perform away from paved surfaces. Recent models have also included on-road features. These allow owners to enjoy increased comfort and safety on-road. This is especially where there’s less ground clearance like in the Trackhawk and SRT trims.

4. Water Fording

It’s not uncommon to find bodies of water and large puddles as you drive off the road. This is something that many drivers encounter while trail-driving. The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with adequate ground clearance to ensure that you can get out of such situations safely and successfully. It can cross puddles that are between 19 to 30 inches deep. The high ride height keeps the air intake higher above ground to prevent water from getting into the filter.

5. Driving in muddy conditions

Thanks to great articulation, the Jeep Grand Cherokee can keep its tires planted even on the worst forms of terrain. When one of the tires gets stuck in mud or hits a hole, the other three remain engaged. Superior traction also ensures that the SUV doesn’t slip on wet, sandy, muddy, dry, and icy surfaces.

Conclusion

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a powerful SUV that has adequate ground clearance for almost all types of driving. It is one of the higher-placed vehicles on the market that competes well against its rivals. It is a great option for those looking to have a higher ride height.

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