2023 Grand Cherokee or the 2023 Grand Cherokee L: Which Is Which?

The 2023 Grand Cherokee and the 2023 Grand Cherokee L are nearly identical from the outside, so what’s the difference? Why is Jeep making choosing between a good thing and another good thing even harder? We already have trouble picking from their lineup, but once we settle on our classic midsize five-door, why must we also ponder the distinctions between the Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L? Is Jeep just messing with us? Is there a difference that can really affect which one we buy? There has to be a difference, right?

Of course there is! Jeep is one of those brands that has a method to their madness, and while both Jeep models might look similar, they vary in several aspects that can appeal to drivers who differ in their wants and needs. If you’re searching for a Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale near Covington, KY, it’s important that you know about the Grand Cherokee L and how it differs from the conventional Grand Cherokee.

Whenever buying a new vehicle, it’s essential that you do your homework to ensure you get the perfect vehicle for your money. Whether you want a vehicle that can grow and flex with your family or a ride for solo adventures, Jeep has drivers covered, offering a great range of vehicles—including the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L—that, despite looking like twins, have some key difference happening inside.

Feeling curious yet? Learn more about the differences between the two Jeep models before you head to the dealer so that you know exactly what you’re looking for and get what you need.

Let’s Start With the Basics

While the 2023 Grand Cherokee and 2023 Grand Cherokee L are similar, you’ll quickly see that they are not when you check out the pricing, with the Grand Cherokee starting at $40,030 and the Grand Cherokee L coming in at $42,030.^[a] Where is this extra money going? Looking closer, we see the biggest difference between the two is size; for a little extra, drivers can level up to the Grand Cherokee L and get a third row of seating, more cargo space, and deeper leg room.

More space, more seating—is this something you need? If you have a large or growing family, or if you find yourself never having enough room, the Grand Cherokee L is an appealing option… but is it worth it? Let’s look under the microphone and see what each model offers in terms of convenience, space, and performance. They say the devil is in the details, so if you’re on the fence about spending extra, check out the full specs of each model to ensure you know what you’re getting and what you’re sacrificing.

Interior Comfort and Cargo

Let’s check out the Grand Cherokee first; this is Jeep’s classic go-to vehicle for many people. If you haven’t ridden in one, you’re in for something unforgettable. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was designed to be functional yet comfortable. For 2023, drivers get high-end cabin materials and a modern design that make the Grand Cherokee the most luxurious vehicle in its class. The premium seating is supportive and can be adjusted in 16 different ways; available memory presets and a massage mode allows drivers to quickly program or manifest the level of comfort and support they want.

The Grand Cherokee L adds to the convenience of the Grand Cherokee by offering an additional row of seats that means increased flexibility when it comes to seating arrangements and cargo room. The second-row bucket seats are available with Quad-Zone Automatic Temperature Control for increased comfort for second-row passengers. For easy access to the third row, the second-row seating has a manual release which allows them to easily slide forward, making entry to the third row effortless so you never have to strain.

While the Grand Cherokee is a two-row five-seater. The additional third row in the Grand Cherokee L means you have room for up to seven. Behind the third row, drivers get 17.2 cu.ft. of cargo room; this is more than enough space for groceries, luggage, and gear for the entire family. Meanwhile, drivers get a trunk space of 37.7 cu.ft. in the standard Grand Cherokee.

Folding down the third row increases the Grand Cherokee L cargo space up to 46.9 cu.ft. To take advantage of the Grand Cherokee L’s max cargo room, both the third- and second-row seats fold flat, creating 84.6 cu.ft. of space; this is compared to the Grand Cherokee’s max cargo room of 70.8 cu.ft. This space makes the Grand Cherokee L superior for hauling larger items like materials for home improvement projects, furniture, or moving boxes.

It all depends, how much space do you need? Is your family still growing, or are you all set as is? Keeping the future in mind and knowing the amount of flexibility you want from your vehicle is a great way to keep things simple when deciding between a Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L.

Peak Performance

Besides their size, the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L appear evenly matched in performance. Three different engines are available that allow drivers to select their power level. The standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine features electric start/stop tech and delivers a healthy towing capacity of 6,200 lbs along with 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Leveling up to the available 5.7L HEMI V8 gives you fuel-saving technology plus increased performance with 357 hp, a torque of 390 lb-ft, and a towing capability of 7,200 lbs for your biggest adventures. However, the alternative 2.0L I-4 DOHC Di Turbo PHEV engine is available for the 4xe Hybrid only.

Whether you need towing power or you’re looking for smooth handling, these two models offer the same amount of power and performance. While it is worth noting this similarity, you must also consider that, because of the increased length of the Grand Cherokee L, parking and maneuvering might be a tad easier for the standard-size Grand Cherokee than for the larger Grand Cherokee L.

Which Cherokee Is the Better Choice?

Both the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L are great vehicles. When it comes to a lot of features, they are evenly matched. Whether it’s performance, power, or tech, you can’t go wrong with either.

Where the two vehicles differ is when it comes to the overall size and seating choices. If you often don’t need the extra room, then a standard Grand Cherokee is more than capable of handling passengers, work materials, daily essentials, outdoor gear, etcetera. But if you often find you have extra passengers, you carpool, or just never seem to have enough space for everything, the Grand Cherokee L is significantly larger and offers more diverse seating options, giving drivers the added convenience of flexibility and space that the Grand Cherokee just can’t offer.

So how do you choose? Ask yourself if you really need all that space. How many passengers do you normally have? And what are your hauling needs? It might or might not be worth it to level up to the Grand Cherokee L for additional utility, or you might find the Grand Cherokee is more than enough to meet whatever your next adventure requires.

^[a]MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Starting at price refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. A more expensive model may be shown. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.