If you are shopping for a Jeep Grand Cherokee near Hutchinson, MN, you have landed in the right place. I am Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone Motors, and the Grand Cherokee is one of the vehicles I get asked about most by families across McLeod County, Glencoe, Litchfield, Willmar, and Dassel. It earns that attention. Whether you need a capable 5-passenger SUV for Minnesota winters or a 7-passenger family hauler for road trips up north, the Grand Cherokee lineup has a version built for how you actually live.
This page is your starting point for everything Grand Cherokee at Jay Malone Motors — trim breakdowns, engine options, 2-row vs. 3-row comparisons, towing, technology, and more. We keep it current as new model years arrive so you always have accurate information when you are ready to make a decision.
What Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a midsize SUV with a legacy stretching back more than 30 years. It has earned a reputation as one of the most awarded SUVs on the market — balancing genuine off-road capability with a refined, comfortable interior that works just as well for the school run as it does for a gravel road outside of Brownton. The current generation rides on a modern platform with available Quadra-Trac 4WD systems, Selec-Terrain, and a suite of driver assist technology that makes Minnesota winter driving more manageable.
2-Row vs. Grand Cherokee L: Which One Do You Need?
The Grand Cherokee comes in two distinct body styles, and choosing between them is the first decision most buyers face.
Grand Cherokee (2-Row)
- 5-passenger seating
- More athletic proportions
- Starts at Laredo — available in 4x2 or 4x4
- Trims: Laredo, Limited, Summit
- Engine choice on Laredo: 3.6L V6 or 2.0L Hurricane Turbo
- Right for: couples, small families, drivers who prioritize driving feel
Grand Cherokee L (3-Row)
- Standard 6-passenger, optional 7-passenger seating
- Extended wheelbase for more rear cargo room
- Same trim stack: Laredo, Limited, Summit
- L-exclusive: available Rear Seat Video w/ Amazon Fire TV (Summit)
- Interior Rear Facing Camera on select packages
- Right for: larger families, carpoolers, anyone needing that third row
Both share the same engines, the same 4WD systems, and the same trim architecture — so if you are between the two, the decision really comes down to how many seats you need and how much cargo room matters on a daily basis. I have a full comparison blog linked below if you want to dig into the details.
Grand Cherokee Trim Levels at a Glance
The Grand Cherokee lineup runs from the well-equipped Laredo all the way up to the Summit. Here is a quick orientation — click the trim blog below for the full breakdown.
| Trim | Drivetrain | Starting MSRP (2-Row) | Starting MSRP (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo | 4x2 or 4x4 | $38,920 | $40,920 |
| Limited | 4x2 or 4x4 | $44,320 | $46,320 |
| Summit | 4x4 only | $60,600 | $62,600 |
Engine Options
The 2026 Grand Cherokee introduces the 2.0L Hurricane Turbo 4 as a new addition to the lineup, joining the proven 3.6L V6. Here is how they break down:
3.6L V6 24V VVT with ESS
Available on Laredo trims only (both 2-row and L). Paired with the 8-speed 850RE automatic transmission. The V6 is the engine most central MN buyers have known and trusted in the Grand Cherokee for years — proven in cold starts and long highway miles between Hutchinson and Willmar.
2.0L Hurricane Turbo 4 with ESS
Available across all trims — the only engine option on Limited and Summit. Paired with the 8-speed 8HP80 or 880RE automatic depending on trim. New to the Grand Cherokee for 2026 and delivers a modern turbocharged driving experience with strong low-end torque that handles Minnesota terrain well.
4WD Systems: Which One Is Right for McLeod County Winters?
The Grand Cherokee offers three distinct 4WD systems depending on trim and engine:
- Quadra-Trac I — Single-speed transfer case, full-time 4WD. Standard on Laredo 4x4 with V6 and Limited 4x4 with V6. Automatic torque distribution, no driver input needed. Solid for Hutchinson winters and gravel roads.
- Quadra-Trac II — Two-speed transfer case. Standard on Limited 4x4 with the Hurricane engine. Adds a low-range setting for more demanding terrain.
- Selec-Terrain — Standard on Limited 4x4 and Summit. Five terrain modes: Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud, Rock. The system that gives you genuine capability on everything from icy county roads to off-road trails.
For most buyers in and around Hutchinson — running gravel roads, dealing with McLeod County winters, and occasionally heading up north with a boat in tow — the Laredo 4x4 or Limited 4x4 covers everything you need.
Towing with the Grand Cherokee
The Trailer Tow Package is available on all trims ($995 MSRP) and is standard equipment on the Summit. It includes a Class IV receiver hitch, 7 and 4 pin wiring harness, rear load leveling suspension, trailer hitch zoom, and a full-size spare tire. If you are towing a boat to a lake near Litchfield or pulling a livestock trailer through Dassel, this is the package to add at the Laredo or Limited level.
See our full towing and capability blog below for the complete breakdown, including which configuration handles specific trailer types best in our region.
Why Buy Your Grand Cherokee at Jay Malone Motors?
We have been family-owned and operated in Hutchinson since 2005 — and in that time, we have been voted Best Place to Buy a Vehicle, Best Auto Mechanic, Best Place to Buy Tires, and Best Auto Body Shop right here in our community. When you buy from us, you are not a transaction. You are a neighbor.
We serve customers from across the region — Glencoe, Litchfield, Willmar, Winsted, Dassel, Silver Lake, Brownton, Lester Prairie, and beyond. We never charge extra to locate the exact vehicle you want, and our service department is here long after the sale.
Your Dealer for Life. That is not just a tagline — it is how we operate every day at 1165 Highway 7 West, Hutchinson, MN.
Key Takeaways
- The Grand Cherokee comes in 2-row (5-passenger) and Grand Cherokee L (6- or 7-passenger) body styles — same trims, same engines
- Three trims: Laredo, Limited, and Summit — with special editions including the Limited Reserve and 85th Anniversary Edition
- Two engine options: 3.6L V6 (Laredo only) and 2.0L Hurricane Turbo 4 (all trims)
- Three 4WD systems available depending on trim — Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Selec-Terrain
- Trailer Tow Package available on all trims ($995), standard on Summit
- Jay Malone Motors serves Hutchinson and all of central MN — family-owned since 2005
Explore the Full 2026 Grand Cherokee Buyer's Guide
Ready to go deeper? Our 2026 buyer's guide and supporting blogs cover every angle of the Grand Cherokee decision:
- 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Buyer's Guide — Full trim-by-trim breakdown, package value analysis, and buying advice
- 2026 Grand Cherokee Trim Levels Explained — Laredo through Summit, every package, every upgrade
- Grand Cherokee vs. Grand Cherokee L: Which One Is Right for You? — 2-row vs. 3-row decision guide
- 2026 Grand Cherokee Engine Guide — V6 vs. Hurricane Turbo 4, real-world performance, which to choose
- 2026 Grand Cherokee Towing and Capability — Trailer Tow Package, 4WD systems, off-road capability
- 2026 Grand Cherokee Technology and Safety Features — Uconnect 5, driver assist, available Night Vision, and more
About the Author
I'm Jordan Malone-Forst, Assistant General Manager at Jay Malone Motors in Hutchinson, MN. I grew up here, and I am proud to serve the community my dad Jay built this dealership around in 2005. I am President of the Hutchinson Ambassadors and serve on the Board of Directors for the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. If you have questions about any Jeep vehicle or want to talk through your options, stop in or reach out — I would love to help.