2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

header-image
Rating8.0

Ranked #5 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$29,995 - $65,695
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Premium interior

The higher you go, the pricer it gets

Reduction of overall weight

Off-road ability

Low in terms of reliability

Updated engine, suspension, steering, and tires

Powerful engine

Better fuel economy

Loaded with features

Engine start-stop functionality

Specs & Features

$29,995

price

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

horsepower

260 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

TBD

transmission

3.6L 6cyl 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Since its launch in 1992, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a serious off-roader but now it also offers practicality along with a boat-load of modern features as well; even at its basic trims. The ride quality is well-tuned enough to handle the bad roads and obstacles, as well as excel at daily commutes.

Buying Advice

The Limited trim with four-wheel drive is the best option here: it features 18-inch wheels, heated and power-adjustable seats that get leather upholstery. It is also priced at under $40,000 which is affordable as well. The Advanced Technology Group is also recommended on the Limited trim for its driver assistance features.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2016 Jeep Grand The towing capabilities of the Grand Cherokee are among the best in the class. The Grand Cherokee’s prices start at $29,995. The car comes in 5 trim levels and offers a 3.6L V6 engine. This mid-size SUV faces competition from the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, the 2016 GMC Acadia, and the 2016 Ford Explorer.

Features
9.9/10

The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee is offered in five trims, that range from $29,995 getup to $65,695 for the V8 SRT trim. The base Laredo starts at $29,995 with rear-wheel drive as standard and can be configured with four-wheel drive with a premium of $2,300, above that is the Limited trim which starts at $37,565 with rear-wheel drive and $39,565 for the four-wheel drive, the Overland starts at $44,395 and the Summit starts at $49,795. The SRT trim sits at the top of the food chain and it gets a V8 engine with more grunt along with top-of-the-line features as well.

Trims

Laredo

Limited

Overland

Summit

SRT

MSRP (2WD)

$29,995

$37,565

$44,395

$49,795

N/A

MSRP (4WD)

$32,295

$39,565

$47,395

$52,795

$65,695

Key Features

Keyless ignition and entry

Adds/Replaces features on the Laredo trim

Adds/Replaces features on the Limited trim

Adds/Replaces features on the Overland trim

Adds/Replaces features on the Summit trim

 

17-inch alloy wheels

18-inch wheels

20-inch wheels

Polished 20-inch wheels

Panoramic sunroof

 

Automatic headlights

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Dual chrome exhaust tips

Front parking sensors

19-speaker audio system (optional)

 

Cruise control

Leather upholstery

Towing package

Illuminated door sills

Exclusive V8 engine

 

Roof rails

Eight-way power passenger seat (with four-way power lumbar)

Power-folding mirrors

Additional noise-reducing acoustic glass for the windows

20-inch forged wheels with performance tires

 

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Driver memory settings

Body-color exterior trim

Active noise-canceling technology

Adaptive suspension

We recommend

The Limited trim with four-wheel drive is the best option here: it features 18-inch wheels, heated and power-adjustable seats that get leather upholstery. It is also priced at under $40,000 which is affordable as well. The Advanced Technology Group is also recommended on the Limited trim for its driver assistance features.

Engine and Performance
8.0/10

The Grand Cherokee comes standard with a 3.6L V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower along with 260 lb-ft of torque. The other engine option available on the Limited, Overland, and Summit trim is the 5.7L V8 that puts out 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT trim gets the 6.4L Hemi V8 that puts out a whopping 475 horsepower along with 470 lb-ft of torque. All the engines come mated to the same 8-speed automatic transmission.

No matter which engine configuration you choose, the Grand Cherokee does not fail to disappoint. It offers satisfactory acceleration, and the handling and steering on offer are very precise and controlled. The well-tuned suspension guarantees a smooth ride quality as well. The Grand Cherokee takes 7.1 seconds to hit the 0-60 mph mark, and the quarter-mile comes up in 15.4 seconds. The top speed stands at 128 mph.

Models

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2016 Ford Explorer

2016 GMC Acadia

2016 Chevrolet Traverse

MSRP

$29,995

$31,050

$30,975

$28,700

Engine

3.6L V6 Gas engine

3.5L V6 Gas engine

3.6L V6 Gas engine

3.6L V6 Gas engine

Transmission

8- speed shiftable automatic

6-speed shiftable automatic

6- speed shiftable automatic

6- speed shiftable automatic

Drivetrain

RWD

FWD

FWD

FWD

Horsepower

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

290 hp @ 6500 rpm

281 hp @ 6300 rpm

281 hp @ 6300 rpm

Torque (lb-ft)

260 ft-lbs @ 4800 rpm

255 ft-lbs @ 4000 rpm

266 ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm

266 ft-lbs @ 3400 rpm

0-60 MPH

7.1

6.4

6.7

7.2

Quarter mile

15.4

14.6

15.3

15.6

Top Speed (mph)

128

125

126

130

The Jeep and the Ford, and the GMC and the Chevy output the same power figures. All four cars offer similar torque values as well. In the 0-60 mpg run, the Ford is the quickest out there, followed closely by the GMC at 6.7 seconds. The Jeep comes in third whereas the Chevrolet takes the last spot at 7.2 seconds.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

According to the EPA, the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the standard 3.6L V6 gasoline engine returns a fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined which is impressive. The fuel capacity stands at 24.6 gallons, which gives the Grand Cherokee a combined range of 541.2 miles.

Models

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Ford Explorer

GMC Acadia

Chevrolet Traverse

MPG (city)

19

17

15

15

MPG (highway)

26

24

22

22

MPG (combined)

22

20

18

18

Fuel tank capacity (gal.)

24.6

18.6

22.0

22.0

Range (city/highway) (miles)

467.4/639.6

316.2/446.4

330/484

330/484

The Grand Cherokee is the most efficient car in these four. The Explorer comes next with its 20 mpg combined mileage. The GMC and the Chevy both offer a combined mileage of 18 mpg. In terms of range, the most range is offered by the Grand Cherokee itself, as it has the largest tank and the best efficiency. The range stands at 467 city miles and 639 highway miles. The Explorer offers the least.

 

Interior
8.0/10

The 2016 Grand Cherokee’s interiors are extremely premium and well-done. The dash is well laid out, and just plain. The center console is pretty straightforward, with the controls placed in a way that makes it easier to access and use. This is one of the most user-friendly interiors. The cabin is spacious and the fit and finish levels are high.

The Grand Cherokee does not have a third-row seat, not even optional, unlike the rivals. The seats are for 5 people, and the kind of available and optional luxuries just makes the overall experience way better. The front seats have excellent legroom and offer great support, especially with the side bolstering. In the rear, there is a great comfort and ample legroom as well. The car sits tall but visibility is not hampered in any way.

Models

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Ford Explorer

GMC Acadia

Chevrolet Traverse

Passenger capacity

5

7

8

8

Front (head/shoulder/leg) (in.)

39.9/58.7/40.3

41.4/61.5/42.9

40.3/61.6/41.3

40.4/61.5/41.3

Second (head/shoulder/rear) (in.)

39.2/58.0/38.6

40.6/61.0/39.5

39.6/61.0/36.8

39.4/61.0/36.8

Third (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

N/A

37.8/50.8/32.0

38.4/57.8/33.2

37.8/57.6/33.2

Cargo Capacity with rear seats up (cu.ft.)

36.3

21.0

24.1

24.4

Cargo Capacity with rear seats folded (cu-ft)

68.3

43.8

70.1

70.3

Compared to the rivals, the Grand Cherokee falls behind in terms of the space offered. The Explorer offers the most legroom in the front. In the second row as well, the Explorer has the most legroom on offer. Because the third-row seats are absent on the Jeep, the cargo space is quite large as compared to the competitors. The cargo capacity behind the rear seats is 36.3 cubic feet and 68.3 cubic feet if the rear seats are folded. Some interior features are:

  • Cruise control
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Keyless ignition and entry
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Leather upholstery

How intuitive is the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s infotainment system?

The 2016 Grand Cherokee’s infotainment system is among the most advanced, user-friendly, and simple systems. The standard 5-inch touchscreen is not bad, but the 8.4-inch screen is recommended. Standard infotainment features include a 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone, and audio connectivity, USB port, an auxiliary audio jack, and a six-speaker sound system. A ten-speaker system is also available. Some salient features are:

  • Steering wheel mounted controls
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • 8.4-inch touchscreen
  • USB port
  • Ten-speaker sound system
  • HD radio

Exterior
8.0/10

The 2016 Grand Cherokee maintains its tall stance its rugged posture. The 2016 Grand Cherokee can be described as a fusion of a traditional rugged SUV with a practical crossover. The grille is slightly thinner and smaller than before. Apart from that, the design has continued over the years. The exterior of the car does have a slight luxurious appeal. The rear of the car does remind us of the BMW X5.

Models

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Ford Explorer

GMC Acadia

Chevrolet Traverse

Curb Weight (lbs.)

4545

4443

4656

4713

Length (in.)

189.8

198.3

200.8

203.7

Width (in.)

76.5

78.9

78.9

78.5

Height (in.)

69.3

70.0

72.6

69.9

Ground clearance (in.)

8.6

7.8

7.6

7.2

Wheelbase (in)

114.8

112.8

118.9

118.9

The Cherokee is the shortest vehicle of these four. It is also the most narrow and has the least height as well. However, it has a longer wheelbase at 114.8 inches. It sits the tallest from the ground as well, at 8.6 inches that helps during off-road conditions. Some exterior features are:

  • Alloy wheels
  • Automatic headlamps
  • Power liftgate
  • Roof rails
  • Automatic wipers
  • Air suspension

Safety
7.0/10

The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee did well in terms of safety ratings. The 4WD version got a 5-star rating from NHTSA, whereas the 2WD got a rating of 4-stars. Standard safety features on the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee include antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control (4WD only), airbags, and active front head restraints. Driver assistance features are available as optional. Some Safety Features are:

  • 4-Wheel Traction Control
  • ParkSense Rear Park-Assist with Stop
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Enhanced Accident Response System
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
  • Advanced Multistage Front Airbags

Final Verdict

The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee gives tough competition to its rivals by providing practicality and comfort with a mix of style and extreme capabilities. With the availability of different trims to suit specific needs, there is no lack of choices as well. Overall, the Grand Cherokee is a great vehicle that can glide through any terrain while providing maximum comfort and practicality which makes it a great bargain.

Trims

    Laredo
    $29,995 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    75th Anniversary
    $34,975 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl 4WD 8A
    • Horsepower: 293 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.7 sec
    • Top Speed: 139 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 21 mpg
    Limited
    $37,565 onwards
    • 18-inch aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Parking assist
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    Limited 75th Anniversary
    $41,175 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl 4WD 8A
    • Horsepower: 293 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.7 sec
    • Top Speed: 139 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 21 mpg
    Overland
    $44,395 onwards
    • 20-inch aluminum Wheels
    • Navigation system
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    High Altitude
    $47,090 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl 4WD 8A
    • Horsepower: 295 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.8 sec
    • Top Speed: 139 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 21 mpg
    Summit
    $49,795 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl 4WD 8A
    • Horsepower: 295 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.8 sec
    • Top Speed: 139 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 21 mpg
    SRT
    $65,695 onwards
    • Engine: 6.4L 8cyl 4WD 8A
    • Horsepower: 475 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 470 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 160 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 15 mpg
    SRT Night
    $65,695 onwards
    • Engine: 6.4L 8cyl 4WD 8A
    • Horsepower: 475 hp @ 6000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 470 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 160 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 15 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$29,740- $40,780

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.37

Horsepower

260 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

240 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$31,050- $52,970

Gasoline

8.32

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

$40,900- $57,700

Gasoline

8.2

220 hp @ 4450 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$30,975- $49,890

Gasoline

8.03

281 hp @ 6300 rpm

266 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

8

Read Review

$25,100- $43,300

Gasoline

7.93

185 hp @ 6000 rpm

178 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$20,995- $33,695

Gasoline

7.05

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,995- $65,695

Gasoline

7.98

475 hp @ 6000 rpm

470 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

5

Read Review

$58,300- $157,300

Gasoline

7.72

300 hp @ 6300 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$19,960- $26,240

Gasoline

8.1

146 hp @ 6000 rpm

146 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

5

Read Review

$30,495- $44,990

Gasoline

8.21

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.5 sec15.7 sec139 mph
    6 sec15.2 sec112 mph
    6.2 sec14.7 sec113 mph
    6.6 sec14.9 sec132 mph
    6.7 sec13.2 sec122 mph
    6.9 sec15.4 sec-

    2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      19 mpg26 mpg22 mpg24.6 gal.467.4/639.6 mi.Jeep USA
      29 mpg35 mpg31 mpg12.7 gal.368.3/444.5 mi.
      25 mpg33 mpg28 mpg18.5 gal.462.5/610.5 mi.
      22 mpg28 mpg25 mpg19 gal.418/532 mi.
      20 mpg30 mpg24 mpg18 gal.378/540 mi.
      21 mpg29 mpg24 mpg18.8 gal.394.8/545.2 mi.

      2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        189.8 in.76.5 in.69.3 in.8.6 in.114.8 in.Jeep USA
        201.2 in.75.8 in.70.9 in.8.1 in.119.8 in.
        200.8 in.78.9 in.70.4 in.7.6 in.118.9 in.
        199.4 in.77.5 in.69 in.8.8 in.115.3 in.
        198.3 in.78.9 in.70 in.7.8 in.112.8 in.
        197.2 in.77.2 in.69.6 in.7 in.114.2 in.

        2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          36.3 cu.ft.105.4 cu.ft.68.3 cu.ft.Jeep USA
          17.2 cu.ft.132.7 cu.ft.84.5 cu.ft.
          47.2 cu.ft.-89.7 cu.ft.
          13.8 cu.ft.144.9 cu.ft.83.7 cu.ft.
          39.2 cu.ft.113.9 cu.ft.31.6 cu.ft.
          21 cu.ft.151.7 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.

          2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            68.3 cu.ft.36.3 cu.ft.68.3 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            38.9 cu.ft.23.6 cu.ft.62.9 cu.ft.-
            83.7 cu.ft.13.8 cu.ft.83.7 cu.ft.-
            41.3 cu.ft.26.1 cu.ft.76.9 cu.ft.-
            64 cu.ft.18.5 cu.ft.83.9 cu.ft.-
            15.2 cu.ft.32.1 cu.ft.67 cu.ft.72 ft.

            2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              6200 lbs.1180 lbs.4545 lbs.Jeep USA
              7716 lbs.1862 lbs.4488 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1330 lbs.4756 lbs.
              5200 lbs.1755 lbs.4656 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1703 lbs.4443 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1726 lbs.4168 lbs.

              2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              9

              Recalls

              2

              Investigations

              293

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

              Top Jeep Cars

              2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

              Horsepower : 293 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 7.5 sec

              #1

              2016 Jeep Wrangler

              Horsepower : 285 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 6.9 sec

              #2

              2016 Jeep Cherokee

              Horsepower : 184 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 25 mpg

              0-60 : 8.7 sec

              #3

              2016 Jeep Compass

              Horsepower : 172 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 8.3 sec

              #4

              2016 Jeep Patriot

              Horsepower : 172 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 8.75 sec

              #5

              2016 Jeep Renegade

              Horsepower : 160 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 27 mpg

              0-60 : 8.6 sec

              #6

              2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee User Reviews

              1.5

              [2 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [50.0%] [1 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              POPULAR TAGS

              SS

              Stephanie Schweigel

              2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

              Limited 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

              3

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: May 13, 2024

              2017 jeep grand cherokee limited

              Pros - Smooth ride, heated seats and wheel

              Cons - Hot leather in summer, energy saver

              I really wanted a jeep and mine has lived up to the expectations. the gas mileage was a little tough when I lived in the city but out in the country its great. the back seat is as comfortable as sitting up front. it does great in all weather conditions. I had 2 freak accidents and both times I escaped without a scratch. the damage to the car after thev2 accidents were minimal compared what should...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              KDS

              Karen Duke Stanley

              2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee

              Altitude 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: August 12, 2024

              Love my Grand Cherokee

              Pros - ["Lots of features", "Comfortable", "4 wheel drive"]

              Cons - ["Automatic rear hatch malfunctions", "Gear shifter not user friendly", "Locks malfunction"]

              This is my third Grand Cherokee and I love it! The one I have is called the Summit edition. It has features on top of features! It has every button known to man! I also feel confident when I drive it. I previously had an Explorer sport and I do miss the acceleration of the turbo. However, looking back, that is probably what made the engine fail early. My Explorer also had black rims which I loved...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review