When the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L showed up at my house this summer, I was somewhat taken aback. While it's significantly more modern and premium-looking than the generation that came before it, it seemed odd that Jeep chose to add a third row to this SUV. That's because by that point, we already knew the company would soon offer totally different three-row model, the full-size Wagoneer. It felt like a curious decision, especially because both the L and the Wagoneer would end up beating the standard-length two-row Grand Cherokee to market -- the very vehicle consumers and model loyalists have always expected.

I also couldn't help but wrinkle my face a bit at this Summit Reserve 4x4's $65,775 as-tested price. That's nearly $25,000 more than an entry-level Laredo 4x2 ($40,670 including $1,795 delivery) and significantly more than you could option a non-SRT Grand Cherokee up to just last year. Needless to say, my facial muscles relaxed substantially when inspecting this 5,000-pound, 205-inch Diamond Black behemoth in person. A little over a week later, that sense of understanding soon turned to one of outright admiration: This is a fabulous SUV.

I've since gone on to drive Jeep's pricier Grand Wagoneer and the two-row 2022 Grand Cherokee, and if anything, my fondness for this middle-child GC L has grown. It's a wonderfully satisfying bit of vehicular alchemy, simultaneously fusing a capable off-road 4x4, a family hauler and a luxury cruiser all into one sharp-looking package. Simply put, this is one of the most versatile and competent vehicles on the American road.