Manoli Katakis 
The 2021 model year is shaping to be a big one for American SUV enthusiasts. There’s the incoming Ford Bronco, as well as a smaller off-road SUV sharing the “Bronco” name in some fashion. Then there’s also a whole new family of SUVS from General Motors coming, as well, including an LT4 supercharged V8-powered Cadillac Escalade. Meanwhile, at FCA, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV is set to break onto the scene. And based on spy photos, it’s going to be larger than ever, and could even accommodate three rows of seats.
There’s more to the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee than just added size. According to reports from Motor1 and others, the 2021 Grand Cherokee is believed to introduce a completely new platform, allowing for implementations such as electrification, similar to what we see in the JL Jeep Wrangler’s mild hybrid system paired with a 2.0L turbo four cylinder. A V6 offering is also expected, as are several Hemi V8 engines, muck like today. Whether or not the bigger engines will see electrification remains to be seen. Though, if we’re going off of recent quotes from Dodge marketing wizard Tim Kuniskis, the higher-ups at FCA certainly aren’t averse to the technology.
Aside from a next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, the iconic American off-road SUV brand is reportedly working on not just one, but two other vehicles to slot above it. Possible names include “Wagoneer” and “Grand Wagoneer,” which are expected to be even larger in size, and will compete in a highly premium space occupied by the likes of Land Rover. Powertrains rumored include an all-new inline six cylinder engine, as well as a thundering Hellcat V8.
FCA plans to spend $1.6 billion to build a next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as the three-row Jeep flagship SUV, plus a plug-in hybrid at its Mack Avenue facility in Detroit, Michigan. FCA is converting and expanding the facility from an engine plant, to a new assembly plant.
