Does the Jeep Grand Cherokee Have a Third Row?

You love Jeep – it’s a brand build on vehicles known for their ruggedness and ability for off-roading. You like to off-road but know that sometimes life gets crazy and you need to cram all the things into your vehicle. Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee capable of taking you off-road one weekend, then giving you the much-needed space of third row seating the next?

No, the Jeep Grand Cherokee does not have a third row (yet). Take a look behind the second row of seats, and you’re not going to see the third row that you’re after. Instead, you’ll find 36.3 cubic feet of cargo area. That cargo space may be great for some, but if the third row is a necessity, you’ll have to wait for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee to hit the market.

If the lack of third-row seating in the Grand Cherokee is not a dealbreaker for you, read on to find specs, pros, and cons of the 2020 model. If waiting for the 2021 model isn’t an option for you, there are many other vehicle models that should still fulfill your needs. Read on to discover some other great SUVs that offer third row seating.

2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Specs

Third row seating aside, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is still an excellent vehicle choice. With twelve models available, you’ll be able to pick your level of luxury. You can choose from the Laredo, Laredo E, Upland, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Limited X, Overland, High Altitude, Summit, SRT, and Trackhawk.

Fuel mileage depends on the chosen model, but starts at an average of 13 mpg. With the lower mpg also comes a max towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. If fuel mileage is more important, you’re looking at an average of 19 mpg, and you’ll still get a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Dimensions of all the models are within one inch of 189.5” long, 76.5” wide, and 69.5” tall. The first ten models (Laredo through Summit), come with a 3.6 liter engine, V-6 cylinder, average of 294 horsepower, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The two higher-end models have over 6.0 liter engines, V-8 cylinders, considerably higher horsepower, and 8-speed automatic transmissions. All models come standard with at least 4×2 wheel drive, the option of 4×4, and the top two models come with standard 4×4 wheel drive.

Looking at the interior of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, while hauling “stuff”, not people, you’ll have the above-mentioned 36.3 cubic feet of cargo area – with the second-row seats up. Fold the second row down, and you’ll have an additional 32 cubic feet of cargo area, bringing the total to 68.3 cubic feet. If you’re interested in hauling people, you’ll be able to seat up to five. That’ll still leave you room for approximately 25 strategically organized 22” x 14” x 8” carry-on size suitcases in the back cargo area.

Jeep Models that Offer Third-Row Seating

At this time, none of the US Jeep models offer third-row seating. This hasn’t been an available option since Jeep dropped the Commander model in 2010. The 2019 Jeep Grand Commander was revealed in Beijing in 2018, but has yet to become available in the United States. It is rumored that the Grand Commander would come to the US in the form of Chrysler’s newest SUV.

If you’re dead-set on a Jeep with third-row seating, you’ll have to wait for the 2021 models. A couple mid-size SUV models may be available: a three-row Grand Cherokee and a yet-unnamed model that will be a little bigger than the Grand Cherokee. The full-size SUV models will include a Wagoneer and a Grand Wagoneer.

Which Other SUVs Come With Third-Row Seating?

If third-row seating is of utmost importance to you, have no worries, as there are still plenty of other vehicles available to you. Each of the following vehicles comes with a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive option and all offer third-row seating with at least one of their trim options. Read on to find out which may be the best for you.

GMC Acadia

The overall exterior size of the 2020 GMC Acadia is larger than the Grand Cherokee, coming in at 193.2” long, 75.4” wide, and 66.7” high. This allows the Acadia to be a great three row, seven-seater option with 143.8 cubic feet of room for your passengers, while still allowing room for 12.8 cubic feet of cargo in the back. There are four trim options: SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. All models will get you an average 23 mpg fuel mileage and the ability to trailer up to 4,000 pounds.

Ford Explorer

The 2020 Ford Explorer comes in at 198.8” long, 78.9” wide, and 69.9” high. The Explorer has five models: Explorer, Explorer XLT, Explorer Limited, Explorer ST, and Explorer Platinum. Depending on your model of choice, you’re looking at 18 to 20 mpg and a tow capacity up to 5,600 pounds. The Explorer allows for 152.7 cubic feet for your passengers, as well as another 18.2 cubic feet for cargo in the back.

Dodge Durango

The 2020 Dodge Durango offers eight package options: SXT, SXT Plus, GT, GT Plus, Citadel, R/T, Citadel Anodized Platinum, and SRT. The Durango is 201.2” long, 75.8” wide, and 70.9 inches high and some models come standard with only second-row seating. Once the third-row option is added, you get 134 cubic feet of passenger room and 17.2 cubic feet of cargo area. Fuel mileage depends on the package chosen, but averages at 16 mpg and the max towing capacity is 8,700 pounds, which you’ll get with the SRT.

Honda Pilot

The 2020 Honda Pilot is 196.5” long, 78.6” wide, and 70.6” high with six trims available, the LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The Pilot offers 153 cubic feet of passenger room, with an additional 16 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third-row seat. You will get an average fuel mileage of 21.5 mpg and a towing capacity up to 3,500 pounds.

Chevrolet Traverse

At 204.3” long, 78.6” wide, and 70.7” high, the 2020 Chevrolet Traverse is the largest SUV with third-row seating reviewed thus far. Seven models are available: L, LS, LT Cloth, RS, LT Leather, Premier, and High Country. The Traverse has a max trailering capacity of 5,000 pounds and average mpg of 21. It has a passenger volume of 157.3 cubic feet, with an additional 23 cubic feet of cargo storage in back.

Chevrolet Suburban

If you don’t mind an upfront heftier price tag, you may consider the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban, which will give you maximum interior space. The Suburban is 224.4” long, 80.5” wide, 74.4” high, can seat up to 8 passengers, and will still allow you 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats. Combined fuel efficiency comes in at 18 mpg and the Suburban has a max towing capacity up to 6,300 pounds.

 Jeep Grand Cherokee Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a great multi-purpose vehicle. It has the passenger space to accommodate up to five people, room for luggage and other overnight necessities, has an acceptable towing capacity up to 7,200 pounds, and makes most off-road trips a breeze.
2. With twelve models available, you can pick and choose the luxury and accessories you want.
3. The V6 engine is built for efficiency, as it come with Electronic Start/Stop Technology. What does that mean? When the vehicle stops, the fuel stops flowing to the engine, therefore turning it off. The V6 engine will also get you an average of 19 mpg.
4. If you’re an avid off-roader, you’ll appreciated the 4×4 technology the Jeep offers.
5. The 2020 Grand Cherokee offers many safety and anti-collision features.
   1. All models come standard with the ProTech I Package. This helps monitor your blind spots and can detect the presence of other vehicles around you while driving, backing, and parking.
   2. Seven airbags are standard in all models and the basic framework is built with high-strength steel which helps direct the energy of a crash away from the cabin in case of an accident.
   3. All models have an excellent braking system.
6. You can utilize many of the features of your phone while on the road through the touchscreen system.

Cons:

1. The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee model does not offer third-row seating.
2. The V8 engine is going to lower your fuel mileage to under 15 mpg.
3. The weight of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is around 6,500 pounds, which is up to 2,000-3,000 pounds more than other vehicles with similar towing and seating capacity.
4. Some of the trim options are expensive. The Trackhawk has a base price of around $86,000. Pair that with its’ average of 13 mpg, and the dollars could add up quickly.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Right for You?

You came here wondering if the Grand Cherokee offered a third-row seating option, so the 2020 model will likely not work for you. If maximum space for passengers is your main concern, the Chevrolet Traverse would be worth looking at. If it’s the exterior size that draws you to the Grand Cherokee, you might look closer at the GMC Acadia.

If you’re set on a Grand Cherokee and can wait until the 2021 models are available, you will likely be able to find a package that suits your needs.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is an excellent vehicle choice if third-row seating is NOT your main priority. It fits many different lifestyles and has acceptable on and off-road features. The Grand Cherokee is a popular option and seems to have a promising future that will even fulfil the ever-growing need that American consumers are after, which is third-row seating.