Jeep Grand Cherokee WK dead.
Jeep Compass gets new turbocharged engine.
Regular-length Grand Cherokee loses HEMI V8, Grand Cherokee L still offers it.
Electrification is on its way for Jeep, with the recent announcement of a slew of upcoming zero-emission utility vehicles. Yet its range of internal-combustion engine models is still extremely popular, and isn’t going anywhere for the time being.
Despite this modern-age turnaround, Jeep isn’t straying away from its roots as a go-anywhere, active lifestyle, adventure-ready brand within the Stellantis conglomerate. Here’s what to expect from the Jeep brand in 2023, with models listed in alphabetical order.
Jeep Cherokee
The 2023 Jeep Cherokee lineup gets purged down to two trim levels, the new Altitude LUX and the Trailhawk in the U.S., while Canada gets Altitude and Trailhawk. It also loses its 3.2L V6 engine option, leaving the base 2.4L four with 180 horsepower and the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder unit with 270 horsepower as the two remaining powertrain choices. This means max towing capacity drops from 4,500 to 4,000 pounds (2,041 to 1,814 kg) for the Cherokee. The Altitude LUX trim level gets 17- or 18-inch Gloss Black wheels and exterior trim as well as Piano Black inerior trim. Adaptive cruise control has expanded availability, while the Trailhawk has features automatic high beams, an auto-dimming interior mirror an alarm and a garage door opener as standard. The Altitude LUX and Trailhawk also receive the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with navigation and an 8.4-inch touchscreen as well as SiriusXM radio compatibility. In Canada, a bunch of additional active safety features, the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with nav and SiriusXM have been added to the Altitude and Trailhawk trims, while the latter now gets Nappa leather seating, a power front passenger seat, 17-inch black alloy wheels and automatic high beams.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass receives an all-new engine for the 2023 model year. The old 177-horsepower, 2.4L four-cylinder engine and nine-speed automatic are replaced with a turbocharged 2.0L four that develops 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, matched to an eight-speed automatic. Meanwhile, driver drowsiness detection, rear-seat occupant reminder and a security alarm are now standard across the board, while automatic high beams become standard on all trim levels except base Sport, and the Sport and Latitude trims get standard 17-inch wheels in the U.S.
Jeep Gladiator
The U.S.-market Jeep Gladiator gets a new limited-run Freedom special edition package that boasts a military-style design an Oscar Mike badge on its rump, LED headlights and fog lamps, steel front and rear bumpers, rock rails, black alloy wheels, American flag decals and leather seats with black contrast stitching. In both the U.S. and Canada, a Capability Package for the High Altitude trim adds some of the Freedom edition’s components, such as the winch-capable steel bumpers and rock rails, along with a front-mounted off-road camera. The Willys gets some more features, such as an intelligent key system, a seven-inch digital driver instrument cluster and remote engine start. High Velocity and Earl paint colours are new as well. The Gladiator can be equipped with a 285-hp 3.6L V6 or a 260-hp 3.0L turbo-diesel six.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The big news for the Jeep Grand Cherokee is that the venerable 357-horsepower 5.7L V8 engine has been dumped. As before, the standard powertrain is the 3.6L V6 with 293 horsepower in the Laredo, Limited, Overland and Summit trims, while the 4xe plug-in hybrid setup with 375 hp is standard in the base and Trailhawk, optional in the Overland and Summit. Since the V8 is no more, maximum towing capacity drops to 6,200 pounds, achievable with the V6, while the 4xe powertrain has a max tow rating of 6,000 pounds. Otherwise, the Uconnect 5 with the 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen is now standard on the Limited and the Overland, while the nine-speaker Alpine sound system is a standalone option on the Limited, and the 19-speaker McIntosh stereo is a standalone option on the Overland. A limited-run 30th Anniversary package is available on the Grand Cherokee 4xe, adding a blacked-out exterior, a slightly modified front fascia, blue tow hooks, 20-inch black alloy wheels and more. The previous-generation Grand Cherokee WK, which was alongside the new model for the 202 model year, is dead.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The extended-wheelbase, three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L was introduced for the 2021 model year. Unlike the “regular” Grand Cherokee, the longer variant serves up the 293-horsepower, 3.6L V6 as standard, but can still be ordered with the 357-hp 5.7L HEMI V8. For the 2023 model year, the Uconnect 5 system with 10.1-inch touchscreen is now standard on the Limited and Overland trim levels, while the nine-speaker Alpine sound system is a standalone option on the Limited, and the 19-speaker McIntosh stereo is a standalone option on the Overland.
Jeep Renegade
For 2023, the Jeep Renegade mostly receives equipment and package reshuffling. In the U.S., the Limited now features adaptive cruise control as standard, while the Latitude’s Premium Group adds an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a windshield wiper de-icer, roof rails, cornering fog lamps and more. The Limited trim can be fitted with a High Altitude package that rounds up 19-inch wheels, gloss black badging and gray grille rings. The Limited Elite Group equips the Renegade with LED exterior lighting, auto high beams, park assist and a windshield wiper de-icer. The Trailhawk Elite Group adds leather seating, an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a windshield wiper de-icer. The Trailhawk gets an optional Premium Lighting Group with the aforementioned LED lighting. Finally, a new paint colour is offered, called Detonator Yellow. The Renegade is equipped with the turbocharged 1.3L four developing 177 horsepower, matched to the nine-speed automatic transmission. The Canadian market only gets the Trailhawk Elite Group and the yellow paint job.
Jeep Wrangler
The ever-popular Jeep Wrangler in two-door and four-door Unlimited configurations soldier on with the same powertrains for the 2023 model year, including the 375-horsepower 4xe plug-in hybrid system reserved for the Unlimited variant. Other engine choices include the 285-hp 3.6L V6, the 270-hp turbo 2.0L four, the 260-hp 3.0L turbo-diesel six and the 470-hp 6.4L V8. The Rubicon gets new 17-inch alloy wheel designs, there are two new paint colours—Earl and Reign—and in the U.S., there’s a new limited-run Freedom Edition package that rounds up a military-themed exterior and interior design, American flag decals, a steel front bumper and rock rails, among other things. In addition, the Jeep Wrangler High Tide is back in the U.S. market, as is a limited 500-unit run of Jeep Beach variants based on the High Tide. They come standard with 35-inch tires, beadlock-capable wheels and a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider fliptop, while the Jeep Beach editions benefit from exclusive hood decals, embroidered leather seats and appropriate badging. The 3.0L EcoDiesel engine will soon be discontinued in the Wrangler.
Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer
Sold in Jeep dealerships, these full-size SUVs are marketed under their own sub-brand. Check out Wagoneer brand 2023 model-year changes.
