The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the best-selling midsize SUVs on the market, and for good reason. They are capable SUVs that tend to hold their own against more off-road focused rivals, and the more expensive competition from luxury SUVs.
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Quick Overview
- The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee tends to score above average on reliability, and you can find them used from $22,813 to $54,545, depending on the trim level. The Limited trim is the most popular option that provides a taste of luxury.
- The Grand Cherokee comes with four engine options, with the 3.6L being the most common, and the 5.7L is the most desirable. There have been known issues with the vehicle’s alarm and electrical system over the years.
- The Grand Cherokee can get impressive fuel economy with the diesel engine option, but the base 3.6L V6 is reported to feel underpowered. If you go with the SRT trim then you are getting one of the fastest SUVs made in 2017.
- For 2017, the Jeep Grand Cherokee came with 12 different exterior colors. It also got a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA in all areas aside from rollover, which SUVs tend to score lower on.
- The Jeep Grand Cherokee may not be as luxurious as a true luxury SUV, and it may not be as good off-road as a dedicated off-road SUV, but it bridges the gap well. With its ability to haul a family and all of their gear, this is a compelling SUV to check out.
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Is the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee a Good Used Car?
The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee tends to fit in the middle of the pack when it comes to midsize SUVs. It is better off-road than a lot of its competition, but it lacks some of the reliability and upgraded fit and finish that you will find on some of the other vehicles on the market.
How Much is a Used 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
In 2017, the Jeep Grand Cherokee had an MSRP starting at $31,300, and that price increased to over $50,000, depending on the trim and options. In 2021, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a price range of $22,813 to $54,545,depending on trim, options, mileage, and condition of the vehicle.
What Problems Does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?
The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a rugged icon with some electrical, transmission and structural issues. The most common problem that has been reported with the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is that it will not start due to a problem with the wireless control module. This is the system in the vehicle that communicates with the wireless key fob, and when it fails, it will prevent the vehicle from being able to be started. Also, the wireless key may not unlock the vehicle.
Another common problem reported with the 2017 Grand Cherokee is that the fuel tank is difficult to fill due to the design of the fuel filler neck. Owners have reported that the pump at the gas station will turn off before the tank is full due to the back pressure coming from the fuel filler tube. This can also be a sign of a problem with the EVAP system control valve, which may need to be replaced if it gets stuck closed.
What Are the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Models?
There were seven different trim levels of the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, starting with the base Laredo model. This comes standard with a 3.6L V6 engine and has a pretty bare-bones interior with cloth seating. It does still have the UConnect infotainment system, but with a smaller five-inch screen.
The step up from that is the Altitude, which includes different exterior styling options and leather seats that have perforated suede inserts in the middle. Next is the Limited trim, which is one of the most popular trim choices since it includes leather accents, optional 8.4-inch UConnect system, and option to upgrade the engine to an optional 5.7L Hemi V8.
The Trailhawk is somewhat of a side-step from the Limited and is a trim that is focused more on off-road performance. It comes with an upgrade 4WD system and an electronic limited-slip differential in the rear. Alongside that is the Summit trim, which focuses on luxury. The model offers the best technology, including lane departure assist and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system.
The top-of-the-line Grand Cherokee is the SRT. The trim is focused completely on performance and comes standard with the 6.4L Hemi V8 producing 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. The model also features a redesigned exterior and exclusive new wheels unique to the SRT trim.
How Long Will the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Last?
Longevity is a strong suit for the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and these vehicles should have no problem lasting over 200,000 miles. There are previous generations of the Grand Cherokee that use the same powertrain and have traveled over 300,000 miles. If you average 15,000 miles per year, this means that your SUV should be able to last 13 to 20 years with no major issues.
What Technology Does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?
There is a wide range of technology available in the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This includes either a five-inch or 8.4-inch UConnect infotainment system. There are also optional upgrades with the Technology Group Package that includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a forward collision system with automatic braking, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning system. All of these combine to make the Grand Cherokee a good vehicle if you are looking to experience some of the latest safety and entertainment technology.
Does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have Good Gas Mileage?
There were four engine options and two drivetrain options. The 2WD version with the 3.6L 6 cylinder engine gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway. If you step up to 4WD, you will get 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway. The 5.7L V8 engine gets 14 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway. The 6.4L V8 found in the SRT gets 13 miles per gallon in the city and 19 on the highway, making it the least fuel-efficient option. Jeep also offered a 3.0L V6 diesel engine that got up to 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
Does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have Good Performance?
When it comes to performance, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners have reported it as feeling underpowered with the 3.6L V6, which is why many shoppers choose to upgrade to the 5.7L V8 with the higher trim levels. If you upgrade to the SRT version with the 6.4L V8, it turns it into a great performance SUV doing zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds, making it one of the fastest SUVs built in 2017.
The Grand Cherokee is also a good vehicle if you need to tow. The base model with the V6 engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds, but if you need to tow more weight than that, you should upgrade to the 5.7L V8 that can pull up to 7,200 pounds. This should be enough to tow most boats and toys behind it.
What Engine Options Does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?
There are four engine options that you can get with the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The first of these is the base 3.6L V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The upgrade from that is the 5.7L V8 engine, which makes 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. Above that is the SRT engine, which is the 6.4L V8 that has 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. The 3.0L diesel engine offers 240 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, making it another good option if you know that you will need to tow and travel long distances.
What Colors Does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Come in?
How Safe is the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a perfect five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA in all of the major categories. The only category where the Grand Cherokee lacks is in the rollover rating, where it gets four out of five stars due to it being a relatively tall vehicle that is top-heavy. Overall, the Grand Cherokee scores well, and with the available safety technology, like automatic braking, it should reduce the risk of accidents.
How Big is the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
As a midsize SUV, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is fairly large. The vehicle is 191 inches long, 77 inches wide, and 69 inches tall. It also has 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats. If you fold down that second row, the cargo area increases to 68.3 cubic feet. The Grand Cherokee should be able to haul a family of four and their luggage with no problems, but it may be a bit tight in the back if you bring back any extra bags.
How Does the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Compare to Other SUVs?
Overall, the Grand Cherokee scores near the middle of the pack when it comes to midsize SUVs. One of its biggest competitors is the Toyota 4Runner. The Grand Cherokee has a smoother on-road driving feel, but the 4Runner is more capable off-road, because it still offers the benefits of being built on a ladder-frame design. The 4Runner also is known to have a more reliable engine than the Grand Cherokee.
The Grand Cherokee also competes with midsize crossovers like the Ford Explorer. Compared to an Explorer, the Grand Cherokee is going to be more rugged off-road and more luxurious inside with the higher-level trims. The Grand Cherokee also has the benefit of being offered with rear-wheel or true dedicated four-wheel drive, depending on the options. It tends to operate better than the front-wheel-drive system of the Explorer.
Final Verdict: Why We Recommend the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most popular midsize SUVs. This sport utility vehicle offers good exterior and interior styling and amenities. It also offers excellent on- and off-road performance, and tried and true reliability. All of these features combine to make this an SUV worthy of a high recommendation.
Photos: Stellantis