I am Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone Motors in Hutchinson, MN, and this is one of the most common conversations I have with Grand Cherokee shoppers. Someone comes in knowing they want a Grand Cherokee and the first thing I ask is: do you need the third row? The answer to that question determines almost everything else about which vehicle is right for you.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L are more similar than they are different. Same trim levels, same engines, same 4WD systems, same technology. But the differences that do exist matter a lot depending on how you use an SUV day to day. This blog lays out everything side by side so you can make the call with confidence.

If you want the full buying picture first, start with our 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Buyer's Guide. For a full trim-by-trim breakdown, see our 2026 Grand Cherokee Trim Levels blog.

How Many People Does Each One Seat?

The 2-row Grand Cherokee seats 5 passengers. Full stop. There is no third-row option and no way to add one. If you need more than five seats, the 2-row is not your vehicle.

The Grand Cherokee L is a different story. The L comes standard with 6-passenger seating using 2nd-row bucket seats with a center console and armrest. If you want 7-passenger seating, you add the 2nd Row 60/40 Bench with Manual Tip/Slide — available on all L trims at no extra charge, and it is standard equipment on the Laredo Altitude package. That bench also includes a center rear 3-point seat belt and three rear headrests, so the 7th seat is a genuine seat, not an afterthought.

Here is how seating breaks down across the L lineup:

What Is the Third Row on the Grand Cherokee L Actually Like?

This is where buyers often have realistic questions. Third rows on midsize SUVs have a reputation for being tight. The Grand Cherokee L is better than most in its class, but I want to give you an honest picture.

The L uses an extended wheelbase compared to the 2-row, which creates meaningful rear passenger space. The third row is genuinely usable for kids and works reasonably well for shorter adults on shorter trips. For a family running kids from Hutchinson to Glencoe for activities or loading up for a weekend trip to a lake near Litchfield, the third row earns its keep.

Third-row standard features across all L trims:

• 3rd-row passenger LED reading lamps standard on all L trims
• 3rd-row remote headrest dumping standard on all L trims
• 3rd-row 50/50 manual fold seat (Laredo and Limited)
• 3rd-row 50/50 power fold seat (Summit L only)
• 3rd-row charge-only USB ports (Laredo X, Altitude, Limited, and Summit)

The Summit L upgrades to power-folding third-row seats, which is a meaningful convenience when you are regularly switching between 6-passenger and cargo configurations. On the Laredo and Limited L, the third row folds manually. Still easy to manage, but worth knowing if you switch configurations often.

How Does Cargo Space Compare Between the Two?

The extended wheelbase on the L creates more overall interior volume, but the trade-off is how that space is distributed. With the third row in use, cargo space behind it is reduced compared to what you get in the 2-row with both rows occupied. Fold the third row flat and the L opens up significantly.

For most central MN families, the practical question is this: do you use cargo space and passenger space at the same time, or do you switch between them? If you regularly need all seven seats and cargo on the same trip, you will feel the L's limitation behind the third row. If you flip between full passenger mode and cargo mode depending on the day, the L works very well in both configurations.

The 2-row Grand Cherokee has a clear advantage for buyers who prioritize cargo over passenger capacity — all of the interior volume goes to two rows and the load floor behind the second row. If you are hauling gear to a job site in Dassel, loading up hockey equipment for a tournament in Willmar, or packing a weekend's worth of camping gear, the 2-row is the more practical choice.

What Features Can You Only Get on the Grand Cherokee L?

Beyond the third row itself, the Grand Cherokee L has a small set of features that are not available on the 2-row at any trim or package level. These are worth knowing before you make a final call.

What Is the Price Difference Between the Two?

The L carries roughly a $2,000 premium at each equivalent trim level. Here is the confirmed breakdown from both order guides.

Two thousand dollars for a third row, higher GVW ratings, rear-facing camera availability, and the option for Amazon Fire TV (Summit L) is a straightforward value calculation. If you need any of those things, the $2,000 premium is easy to justify. If you do not need them, keep the $2,000 and put it toward a package upgrade on the 2-row.

Do They Drive Differently?

Yes, but not dramatically. The Grand Cherokee L uses a longer wheelbase to accommodate the third row, which affects a few things worth knowing about before you buy.

The L is a longer vehicle overall, which means tighter parking situations in Hutchinson, Willmar, and especially in busier lots in the Twin Cities. If you regularly park in tight urban environments, the 2-row is more manageable. The L's longer wheelbase also gives it a smoother, more planted highway ride — less body motion on longer stretches of US-7 or MN-15. Neither is a rough ride, but buyers who do a lot of highway miles often appreciate the L's stability at speed.

Both share the same suspension tuning philosophy, the same 4WD systems, and the same engines. Neither is notably more capable off-road than the other. For winter driving on McLeod County roads, gravel farm approaches, and the kind of mixed terrain central MN buyers deal with, both are equally well-suited — the drivetrain choice (Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, or Selec-Terrain) matters more than the wheelbase.

Which One Makes More Sense for Central Minnesota Families?

Here is how I frame it for buyers who come in from Glencoe, Dassel, Winsted, Silver Lake, and Hutchinson.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you add a third row to the standard Grand Cherokee?

No. The 2-row Grand Cherokee is a 5-passenger vehicle by design and there is no third-row option available. If you need more than five seats, the Grand Cherokee L is the vehicle you want. The L's extended wheelbase is specifically built to accommodate the third row — it is not something that can be retrofitted to the 2-row platform.

Is the Grand Cherokee L third row comfortable for adults?

The third row is well-suited for children and works reasonably well for shorter adults on shorter trips. Taller adults will find it tight for extended drives. For a family where the third row is primarily used by kids and only occasionally by adults, it works well. If you regularly need comfortable adult seating in the third row for long trips, a full-size three-row SUV may be a better fit.

Does the Grand Cherokee L tow the same as the 2-row?

Yes. Both the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L tow up to 6,200 lbs when equipped with the 2.0L Hurricane Turbo 4 engine and the Trailer Tow Package. The Trailer Tow Package is available on all trims of both models at $995 MSRP and is standard on the Summit. Towing capacity does not change between the 2-row and the L.

Can I get 7 seats on the Grand Cherokee L Laredo?

Yes. The 2nd Row 60/40 Bench with Manual Tip/Slide is available on all Grand Cherokee L trims at no extra charge. It is standard on the Laredo Altitude package. Adding the bench converts the L from 6-passenger to 7-passenger seating and includes a center rear 3-point seat belt and three rear headrests. The Laredo 4x4 with the bench seat is one of the most accessible 7-passenger configurations available in this class.

Is the Amazon Fire TV available on the 2-row Summit?

No. The Rear Seat Video Group I with Amazon Fire TV built-in, seatback screens, and video USB port is exclusive to the Grand Cherokee L Summit. It is not available on the 2-row Summit in any configuration. If the rear seat entertainment system is a priority for your family, the L Summit is the only way to get it.

Which Grand Cherokee L trim is the best value for a Minnesota family?

For most central MN families, the Grand Cherokee L Laredo 4x4 with the Laredo Altitude package is the sweet spot. It gets you the third row, 4WD, the 12.3-inch touchscreen with nav, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, power liftgate, wireless charging, SiriusXM, active driving assist, 3rd-row USB ports, and a blacked-out appearance — all in around $48,360 before the Trailer Tow Package. If you want to step up, the L Limited 4x4 at $48,320 base adds heated second-row seats, Capri leatherette, and 9-speaker audio for essentially the same price with more standard content.

Still working through the decision? Come in and sit in both. We have both the Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee L at Jay Malone Motors in Hutchinson and I am happy to walk you through both in person. We serve buyers from across McLeod County and all of central Minnesota — no pressure, just straight answers.