Jeep plans on officially unveiling the 2017 Grand Cherokee Summit in front of the crowds at the upcoming New York International Auto Show, but until then, we have these leaked images to enjoy.
Compared to the 2016 model, the 2017 Summit has a different grille treatment, revised fog light surrounds, and a redesigned lower front fascia. The wheels seen in the photos below are reminiscent of the ones on this WJ.
Being at the top of the Grand Cherokee line, the Summit features plenty of luxurious materials in its cabin. There’s wood trim at the top of the steering wheel and on the dash and doors. Quilted leather, which brings to mind the Ford Explorer Platinum, is used on the seats, which are trimmed with contrast piping, and the door panels. Above all of that is a panoramic sunroof.
Currently, there’s no word on engine offerings/specs, but it’s probably safe to assume the 2017 Summit has the same options as the model it replaces: a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 and 5.7-liter HEMI V8 as optional power plants.
Word is the 2017 Grand Cherokee Summit will be on display in New York later this week alongside the crossover replacement for the Patriot and Compass.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
