Just because something like a used Jeep Grand Cherokee isn't the newest in its product line doesn't make it any less worthwhile. Compared to handfuls of automobiles that have had radical shifts in either performance, design, or both, Jeep seems to be on the same page as everyone else with the Grand Cherokee, which today we'll show you why several used models are still worth the money today, which you'll find at Gastonia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, your premier used Jeep dealership. We'll look at performance, measurements, and some tech features you'll find throughout the model years. Let's get started!

Comparable Performance Throughout the Years

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the better pre-owned vehicles out there, especially if performance is a concern of yours. This is because performance has remained rather similar throughout the years. For example, the 2011 Grand Cherokee, which was the first model released during the SUV's fourth generation line, utilizes a 3.6L V6 engine that comes standard. Fast forward to the succeeding generation that launched almost a decade later, and a 3.6L V6 engine is what you'll find. Going one step further, the 2024 Grand Cherokee uses a 3.6L V6 engine, too, although this doesn't mean they're 100% identical. The 2024 Grand Cherokee's base engine only outputs slightly more horsepower than the 2011 model's engine with identical displacement, with the torque output remaining the same with no changes whatsoever. So, with 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, the 2011 model is almost 1:1 with newer models, which is something you won't always see in the automotive industry. And, of course, buying an old model still means you can get the 4x4 drivetrain. The superb ground clearance of up to 10.7 inches with the 2011 Grand Cherokee is as good today as it was then. Best of all, the performance similarities between Grand Cherokee models from beyond a decade ago and newer ones don't stop with the base engine. A 5.7L V8 engine has been a part of the Grand Cherokee's powertrain list since before the 3.6L V6 engine – the 2010 Grand Cherokee had a 3.7L V6 engine instead, for example. The V8 engine was discontinued after the 2022 model year, but even in its last incarnation, the 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque are almost identical to the 357 hp and 389 lb-ft of torque you could get in a car that was 12 model years apart.

Jeep Knows How to Treat Its Flagship

The Grand Cherokee has historically been well-known for being one of Jeep's most technologically sound vehicles for each respective model year. Of course, times have changed; thus, some technologies become outdated, but sometimes, this can also work in favor of pre-owned shoppers. A great example of tech that isn't relevant anymore is FLO TV and Sirius Backseat TV, which were revolutionary concepts for their time, especially in an era before mobile tablet dominance. What works in the favor of vehicles like the 2011 Grand Cherokee is features like the in-vehicle entertainment system, which adds a display with a DVD player that allows for two discs and inputs for game consoles – newer game consoles may require an adapter, but are still theoretically feasible. So, even though the child-programming-focused Sirius Backseat TV service is discontinued, friends or family in the back seat can still enjoy the Grand Cherokee directly within the cabin. How does this fare against newer models? Newer Grand Cherokee models eliminated the in-vehicle entertainment system. The usefulness of features like this can be greatly debated in the modern day where passengers tend to utilize their mobile devices while in a car, but if you can have these added amenities at a cheaper price, then why not go for it? But what if you wanted features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Great news: the Jeep Grand Cherokee received these software suites long enough ago that you can now get models with your favorite smartphone companion software at a great price compared to what it once cost. The 2018 Grand Cherokee was the first to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which greatly opened the doors to more versatility stemming from the infotainment center, which the Grand Cherokee has offered for years. While models like the 2011 Grand Cherokee won't land you an infotainment center, models as far back as the 2014 Grand Cherokee offered UConnect systems and touch capacitive screens.

No More Cargo Woes

The Grand Cherokee is one of Jeep's most spacious vehicles. It's also the only one of the bunch that offers a separate three-row configuration. Like other facets of the Jeep Grand Cherokee experience, cargo space has been slightly altered through the years, but older models are still incredibly similar to even the latest model. Returning to our example of the 2011 Grand Cherokee, you'll always have at least 35.1 cu.ft. of space, which is almost doubled by folding down the backseats, bringing the maximum cargo space to 68.7 cu.ft. Some later models would increase the minimum cargo space – with the back seats upright – like models between 2015 and 2018, which instead have 36.3 cu.ft. of space. Maximum cargo space for these models is very similar to the 2011 model, with 68.3 cu.ft. of room. Let's compare these measurements to some of the newer models. The 2024 Grand Cherokee, which is the latest model, has between 37.7 and 70.8 cu.ft. However, you can still find Grand Cherokee models with this cargo room in the pre-owned market. This is because the 2022 Grand Cherokee was the most recent time that cargo space was altered over a predecessor. However, regardless of which Grand Cherokee model you buy, you're still treated to cargo space worthy of the Grand Cherokee moniker.

As Comfortable Then as It Is Now

When comparing older Grand Cherokee models with newer ones, something that holds up considerably well are passenger measurements – head, leg, shoulder, and hip room, most notably. Let's bring the 2011 Grand Cherokee back in for our initial comparison. The 2011 Grand Cherokee gives front-row occupants 39.9 inches of headroom and 40.3 inches of legroom, coupled with 58.7 and 57 inches of shoulder and hip room, respectively. Backseat passengers in the 2011 Grand Cherokee have 39.3 inches of headroom, 38.6 inches of legroom, 58 inches of shoulder room, and 56.5 inches of hip room. Let's stack that up against a model that came out a few years later – the 2015 Grand Cherokee. The 2015 Grand Cherokee is a perfect example of how the 2011 Grand Cherokee got interior measurements correct initially. The 2015 model has identical passenger measurements to the 2011 model. Better yet, even newer models like the 2018 Grand Cherokee also borrow a page from its predecessors and sported the same measurements. The latest model changed the measurements ever so slightly, but that doesn't detract from the incredible design of the Grand Cherokee's cabin.

A Pre-Owned Jeep Grand Cherokee Is a Wise Investment

In the current climate of the automotive industry, many manufacturers are seemingly shuffling to reinvent popular cars. This isn't always a good thing, and when you buy a used Grand Cherokee, it's only more apparent why, as you'll be saving upwards of thousands of dollars compared to newer models. And, as we've mentioned, you'll have performance levels that are not too dissimilar from those of later models. Ultimately it all adds up to used Grand Cherokee models being some of the best pre-owned vehicles you can buy.