I've been the faithful owner of a 2018 Pacifica, I can tell you that I did my research and tested/rented all -available at the time- Minivans in the market and the Pacifica was the one with better styling, decent engine response, exceptional ride (doesn't feel like driving a Minivan at all) and certainly not even SUVs, crossovers can match the hauling space, passenger comfort and entertainment options. Appreciate things have changed since 2018 and there are more infotaiment and display options available in the market and from other manufacturers, but I would still go for a Pacifica instead of a Grand Cherokee L, mainly because space management the Pacifica is better and if you would like same amenities and features that the Pacifica offers then you have to pay the premium on the Grad Cherokee for being an SUV, in favor of the Grand Cherokee L, I'd say you can get the V8 5.7 and a much better 4x4 system vs AWD on a Pacifica, downside of Grand Cherokee L is that it'll be first year of production in the middle of a stupid "Pandemic"
I may add I'm working with Jake to try to snatch a 2021 Pacifica Limited, not going for the 2022s as they won't come with the Tri-Pane Panoramic sunroof (a must have from the Wife's wish list), they'll come with a dual pane, the Tri-Pane are being designated for the RAMs, Grand Cherokee L, Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Damn microchip (supply chain) shortage.
I'd suggest you to look for Minivan videos review on Youtube, I highly recommend SavageGeese channel, Mark and Jack are by far the best automotive Youtube reviewers in the business, they'll give you their straight non corporate driven/biased reviews and I belive they've got a video on every single minivan available in the market, they even have one for the Grand Cherokee L and they highly praised it.
One thing is for sure, you better hurry up because those 2021 are drying up fast for sure and dealers are being way too greedy...!
Good Luck on your search!
This was a great reply!
Well I was looking at a '21 Grand Cherokee Limited with pretty much every option ($55k) but with the V6.
Just EP pricing and $1000 in conquest lease cash....so not really a great or attractive lease to be honest.
Hemis are like non-existent (currently in inventory) and you have to step up to the Overland and you're easily at $60k+ and $700+/month to lease with just a V6 on the Overland. No thanks.
I do like the GCL and it's features though, and it's
really nice. BUT with all the seats loaded, there'd be like no room for storage or anything--that's my fear. Just a stroller alone would fill the "cargo area" behind the 3rd row....which is crazy in a vehicle that big.
I don't even know how we could take a small trip somewhere with it, if we had it.
I haven't looked at a Pacifica Limited in person/checked it out, but I'm 99% sure that there is more room & functionality in it.
And the Limited seems to be fully loaded with every stupid option you could want or need, lol.
Plus in the GCL, the 2 kids would literally be side by side in the back. Whereas in the Pacifica, it's a 3 person rear seat....and while 3 won't sit back there, it's better (IMO) to have that small buffer zone between the kids instead of not having one at all.
I'm going to go this morning to go look at a '21 Limited with the S package. Current inventory is pretty low, BUT there are a bunch (of 2021's) that are in transit or being built for the dealers though.
I already read that the prices are going to go up for the 2022's, and they have the $8850 lease rebate on the Limited right now....so that's motivating me to pull the trigger earlier.
I'm trying to think rationally here....so I'm swaying towards the Pacifica at the moment.
Is it a dream vehicle? Nope.
Is it more functional/practical? Yup
I'm gonna put the Jeep GCL and a Pacifica next to each other and see what the wife thinks too.
Everything I've seen/read points to the Pacifica as THE minivan.
