The all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is driving off with another impressive award in its first year of eligibility. The new three-row Grand Cherokee has earned a spot on Wards 10 Best User Experience List. As I reported earlier this year, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was also named to the Wards 10 Best Interiors List.
Why the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Made the List
When making up its list, Wards rates vehicles according to “user friendliness, infotainment features, sound systems, vehicle connectivity, driver assistance technology, information/displays, system compatibility, voice control, materials and overall value.”
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system that is five times faster than previous versions. The home screen is easily customizable and it allows the driver to quickly access the most frequently used features. The Grand Cherokee L also received high marks for its available 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, as well as an available rear-seat monitoring camera system.
“For 2021, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L gains a third row and delivers a spectacular user experience, from the brightly configured digital instrument cluster and neatly integrated user-friendly touchscreen to the outstanding driver-assistance technologies and dreamy optional McIntosh sound system,” Wards Intelligence Principal Analyst Bob Gritzinger said. “And the brains behind it all is Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 infotainment architecture, which delivers five times the computing power of the previous generation.”
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Also Makes the Wards 10 Best User Experience List
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica also is on the prestigious Wards list. The Chrysler Pacifica also has the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The minivan was the first Stellantis vehicle to feature the FamCam backseat camera.
“Uconnect 5 is designed to be the most advanced in-car technology we have ever produced, and we’re honored that Wards has selected the system for two spots on their 10 Best User Experience list,” said Mamatha Chamarthi, Head of Software Business and Product Management. “We are dedicated to providing all occupants with greater connectivity, easy-to-use content and innovative features to seamlessly elevate the automobile to a third living space.”
“Minivans have always delivered a unique user experience and the refreshed 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle is everything we could want in a minivan,” said Christie Schweinsberg, Wards Intelligence Principal Analyst. “It has the right mix of physical switchgear and an easy-to-navigate touchscreen. Voice commands work well, smartphone pairing is lightning fast and this minivan offers virtually every advanced driver-assist technology you could ever want, including standard, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.
“We love the FamCam, a ceiling-mounted camera above the second row that helps parents answer that most elusive question: Who touched whom first? This is a rolling high-tech living room,” she added.
One of the reasons that the Uconnect 5 system is so popular is that it makes personalization easy. It allows up to five different user profiles, allowing five different people to set up their preferences for screen layouts and easy access to settings. Users can switch to their profile with just one touch of a button. Both vehicles also receive over-the-air (OTA) updates so the infotainment system always has the latest software.
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.