2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee L: Which Should You Buy?
The 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee L adds a third row and expands max cargo to 84.6 cubic feet over the standard 2-row’s 70.8. The 2-row Grand Cherokee rides on the same 116.7-inch wheelbase, so the L’s added length is the key physical difference. This page breaks down every seat, cargo, and capability difference so you can find the right model in Fillback’s inventory.
Feature Overview: Two Grand Cherokees, One Clear Decision Framework
The 2027 Grand Cherokee lineup gives buyers a genuine choice between two body configurations rather than asking them to compromise. The standard 2-row Grand Cherokee seats five passengers and prioritizes a tighter overall footprint, while the Grand Cherokee L stretches the body to fit a third row with seating for up to seven. Both share the same powertrain options, 4×4 capability hardware, and trim structure, so the decision narrows to one fundamental question: how many seats do you need, and how does that affect your daily use?
For buyers in Boscobel, Richland Center, and Prairie du Chien who regularly haul a full family, athletic gear, or a group of friends, the L’s third row removes a logistical ceiling that the 2-row cannot clear. For buyers who prioritize rear cargo access, a lower load floor, and a slightly more maneuverable package, the 2-row is the sharper tool.
Grand Cherokee vs Grand Cherokee L Quick Comparison
| Category | 2027 Grand Cherokee | 2027 Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Rows | 2 rows | 3 rows |
| Seating | 5 passengers | Up to 7 passengers |
| Wheelbase | 116.7 inches | Longer stretched body for third-row seating |
| Cargo Behind Rear Seats | 37.7 cubic feet behind the second row | 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row |
| Maximum Cargo Volume | 70.8 cubic feet | 84.6 cubic feet |
| Towing | Up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped | Up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped |
| Available FamCam | Not available | Available Interior FamCam |
| Best Use Case | Buyers who want cargo access, maneuverability, and two-row practicality | Buyers who need third-row flexibility and more maximum cargo room |
How It Works: Wheelbase, Length, and the Third Row
The standard Grand Cherokee carries a 116.7-inch wheelbase. The Grand Cherokee L is longer, with Jeep engineering a stretched body to accommodate the third-row bench. That added length is where all the meaningful differences originate.
In the 2-row Grand Cherokee, cargo behind the second row measures 37.7 cubic feet with passengers aboard, and folding those seats flat opens the floor to 70.8 cubic feet. Those are workable numbers for grocery runs, weekend gear, and even mid-size furniture hauls.
The Grand Cherokee L raises the ceiling considerably. Third-row seats folded flat deliver 84.6 cubic feet of cargo room. With all seats up, the L still stores 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, which is enough for a stroller, a couple of duffel bags, or a full grocery run. The second-row seats in the L slide forward to ease entry to the third row, and an available power-folding third-row bench removes the manual effort entirely on equipped trims.
The practical implication for a family in Prairie du Chien heading to a tournament weekend: the L carries the passengers and the equipment without requiring a roof rack or a cargo trailer.
An available Interior FamCam on the Grand Cherokee L lets the driver or front passenger monitor the second and third rows through the Uconnect 5 touchscreen, which is a feature specific to the 3-row body and not available on the standard 2-row.
The Grand Cherokee L also offers six USB ports, two per row, which matters when three rows of passengers each arrive with a device that needs power.
Across the Trims: Where the Two Bodies Diverge
Both the 2-row Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L share the core trim structure, including Laredo, Laredo X, Laredo Altitude, Laredo Upland (new for 2027), Limited, Limited Altitude, Limited Reserve, Trailhawk (late availability), Overland (late availability), and Summit configurations. The powertrain choices carry across both bodies as well.
On Laredo and Laredo X trims, both bodies now come standard with the new 10.1-inch infotainment screen, an upgrade from the 8.4-inch screen previously standard on those grades. Upper trims step up to the available 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 NAV touchscreen with navigation.
The 2-row Grand Cherokee Trailhawk delivers the brand’s most capable off-road hardware, including Quadra-Trac II with a two-speed transfer case, Quadra-Lift air suspension with semi-active damping, a rear electronic limited-slip differential, six high-strength steel skid plates, and Goodyear Territory All-Terrain tires. That same hardware is available on the L, but buyers who prioritize ground clearance and trail angles will find the 2-row’s shorter overhangs produce marginally cleaner geometry on technical terrain.
The Quadra-Lift air suspension system is standard on Overland, Trailhawk, and Summit trims on both bodies. It adjusts ground clearance up to 11.4 inches in Off Road Position 2, which is a best-in-class figure across both configurations.
The Summit 4×4 on the 2-row adds the available McIntosh 19-speaker audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, and Nappa leather seating. Those interior upgrades are also available on the Grand Cherokee L Summit, extending the premium appointments across all three rows.
For buyers in Richland Center and Boscobel running a third-row carpool on school days and wanting off-road capability on weekends, the Grand Cherokee L in Trailhawk or Overland trim answers both demands without compromise.
Real-World Benefit: Matching the Body to Your Life
The 2-row Grand Cherokee earns its place for buyers who do not regularly need a third row. Its shorter body parks more easily in tighter lots, and its cargo floor is proportionally quicker to load because you are not stepping around a third-row bench. The 8.4-inch step-in height on air-suspension trims also makes entry easier for shorter passengers and older riders.
The Grand Cherokee L is the right answer for buyers whose weekly routine includes more than five people. A third-row SUV used as a primary family vehicle in a rural Wisconsin community often serves multiple functions: school pickup, weekend sports travel, towing a camper or utility trailer (both bodies tow up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped), and covering distances between towns without stops. The L accommodates all of those jobs with available quad-zone automatic temperature control and second-row bucket seats on higher trims.
Both bodies use the same 23-gallon fuel tank, so range is not a differentiating factor. The 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo producing 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque powers Laredo Altitude and higher trims on both, and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 handles Laredo and Laredo X duty on both as well.
How It Compares: Grand Cherokee vs Segment Rivals
Within the Jeep lineup, the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L are the only two body configurations for this nameplate, and they are purpose-separated rather than competitive with each other. The 2-row slots against mid-size SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner, where cargo practicality and off-road hardware are the battleground. The Grand Cherokee L competes directly against the three-row segment occupied by the Chevrolet Traverse and Kia Telluride.
Where the Grand Cherokee family separates itself from rivals in either segment is the depth of off-road engineering available. Best-in-class ground clearance of 11.4 inches, a 36-degree approach angle on Trailhawk, and Trail Rated certification backed by Rubicon Trail testing are not available on Traverse or Telluride at any trim level. Buyers choosing between the 2-row and the L do not give up capability to get seats, which is a genuine distinction in this class.
The Selec-Terrain traction management system, with Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Mud/Sand modes, carries across both bodies and all 4×4-equipped trims, giving buyers in Wisconsin a meaningful edge on winter roads regardless of which body they select.
Find Your Grand Cherokee at Fillback’s Wisconsin Locations
Both the 2027 Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L are available through the Fillback Family of Dealerships, serving buyers across Boscobel, Richland Center, and Prairie du Chien. If your household runs five or fewer people and cargo access matters more than a third row, the 2-row is the cleaner pick. If you regularly seat more than five or want the flexibility of 84.6 cubic feet when the seats fold, the L removes every ceiling the 2-row has. Browse current inventory to compare available trims and configurations across Fillback’s Jeep locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L?
The Grand Cherokee L adds a third row of seating for up to seven passengers and increases maximum cargo capacity to 84.6 cubic feet, compared to 70.8 cubic feet in the standard 2-row Grand Cherokee.
Does the Grand Cherokee L have the same powertrain as the standard 2-row?
Yes. Both bodies offer the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 on Laredo and Laredo X trims, and the 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo producing 324 horsepower on Laredo Altitude and higher trims across both configurations.
Does the Grand Cherokee L tow as much as the 2-row?
Yes. Both the standard Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L tow up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped, which is a best-in-class figure for the segment.
Is the Quadra-Lift air suspension available on the Grand Cherokee L?
Yes. Quadra-Lift air suspension is standard on Overland, Trailhawk, and Summit trims on both the 2-row Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L, raising ground clearance up to 11.4 inches in Off Road Position 2.
What is the cargo space behind the third row in the Grand Cherokee L?
The Grand Cherokee L carries 17.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the third-row seats with all seats up, and expands to 84.6 cubic feet when the third-row seats are folded flat.
Which Grand Cherokee is better for off-road driving in Wisconsin winters?
Both bodies offer the Selec-Terrain traction management system with Snow mode on 4×4-equipped trims, and the Trailhawk configuration on either body adds Rock mode, Quadra-Trac II, and all-terrain tires. The 2-row’s slightly shorter overhangs provide marginally better approach and departure geometry on technical trails, but both are trail-capable.
Is the Interior FamCam available on the standard 2-row Grand Cherokee?
No. The Interior FamCam is specific to the Grand Cherokee L, 3-row, and lets front occupants monitor the second and third rows via the Uconnect 5 touchscreen.
Can I see both the Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L at Fillback?
Yes. The Fillback Family of Dealerships carries Jeep inventory across locations in Boscobel, Richland Center, and Prairie du Chien. Check current inventory online for available trims and configurations on both body styles.
