The Laredo Altitude is the most popular trim in the 2026 Grand Cherokee lineup. It sits one step above the base Laredo in the lineup and delivers the most significant single upgrade in the trim ladder: the jump from the 3.6L V6 to the 2.0L Turbocharged engine producing 324 horsepower. That engine change, paired with a 12.3” navigation touchscreen, leatherette/suede interior, heated seats and steering wheel, wireless charging, and Level 2 Active Drive Assist, explains exactly why this trim accounts for one in five Grand Cherokee sales.
Bottom Line: The Laredo Altitude is where the Grand Cherokee becomes a daily technology-and-power vehicle rather than a basic utility purchase. The 324hp 2.0L Turbo is a meaningful upgrade over the base 3.6L V6, and the 12.3” navigation screen plus L2 Active Drive Assist are the daily-use features that most Nassau County buyers find worth the step up.
- First trim in the lineup to include the 2.0L Turbocharged 324hp engine
- 12.3” touchscreen navigation radio — a step up from the base Laredo’s 8.4” screen
- Active Drive Assist (L2) hands-on highway driving: maintains lane centering + adaptive following distance simultaneously
Why the Laredo Altitude Sells More Than Any Other Trim
The 2026 Grand Cherokee lineup runs six trims: Laredo, Laredo Altitude, Limited, Limited Altitude, Limited Reserve, and Summit. The Laredo Altitude outsells every other trim individually. Understanding why requires understanding what it adds over the base Laredo and whether those additions are worth the step-up.
What the base Laredo includes:
- 3.6L V6 Pentastar with 8-speed transmission
- 18” aluminum wheels
- Cloth seats, 8-way power driver
- 8.4” touchscreen radio
- 6-speaker audio
- Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Management
What the Laredo Altitude adds:
- 2.0L Turbocharged engine, 324 hp (vs 3.6L V6 on base)
- 18” black painted wheels (vs standard aluminum)
- 12.3” Touchscreen Navigation Radio (vs 8.4” on base)
- Leatherette/Suede seat material (vs cloth)
- Heated Seats and Heated Steering Wheel
- Wireless Charging Pad
- Active Drive Assist (L2) Hands-on
Every single addition on that list is a daily-use feature. The 324hp engine is noticeable on every highway entry ramp. The 12.3” navigation screen makes the daily commute more functional. Heated seats matter every October through April in Nassau County. The wireless charging pad eliminates the cable every time you enter the vehicle. The L2 Active Drive Assist reduces cognitive load on the LIE.
Jeep packaged all seven of those upgrades into the Laredo Altitude step-up from base. That bundling — rather than making buyers option each item separately — is why this trim leads the lineup in volume.
The 2.0L Turbo vs 3.6L V6: What Changes Day-to-Day
The power difference between the 3.6L V6 (293 hp) and the 2.0L Turbo (324 hp) is 31 horsepower — but that number undersells the real-world difference. The 2.0L Turbo delivers its power differently: turbocharged engines make peak torque at lower RPM than naturally aspirated V6s, which means the power is available earlier in the throttle input. On a Nassau County on-ramp to the LIE or the Northern State, the vehicle moves out more assertively before the engine is spinning hard.
The turbocharged engine also has a different fuel economy profile than the V6 — in typical mixed driving cycles, the 2.0L Turbo achieves better efficiency than the 3.6L V6 under moderate load. Buyers who spend significant time in highway-dominant Nassau County driving tend to notice the fuel economy benefit over ownership.
Active Drive Assist (L2): What It Does on the LIE
Active Drive Assist (L2) is described as “hands-on” — meaning the driver is expected to keep hands on the wheel, but the system provides active lane centering combined with adaptive cruise control simultaneously. This is Level 2 automation: the vehicle steers to maintain lane position and adjusts speed to maintain following distance behind traffic. The driver remains responsible but the system handles the routine inputs on a straight highway.
For Nassau County commuters who spend time on the LIE, Meadowbrook Parkway, or Northern State Parkway, the difference between standard adaptive cruise (which manages speed but not steering) and L2 Active Drive Assist (which manages both) is the difference between a system you use once in a while and one you use every day.
The Recommended Add: Single-Pane Sunroof
The Laredo Altitude’s recommended configuration adds a single-pane sunroof — a straightforward add that most buyers who want open-air driving simply include. It fits the Laredo Altitude’s value proposition: you get the open-roof experience without committing to the dual-pane panoramic sunroof that defines the Limited Altitude. For buyers who want fresh air more than the full panoramic glass experience, the single-pane sunroof is the right answer.
Laredo Altitude vs Limited: The Next Decision
The next step up from the Laredo Altitude is the Limited, which brings 20” machined/painted wheels, Capri leatherette seats with driver memory, 9-speaker Alpine premium audio, heated second-row seats, LED fog lamps, auto high beams, and a universal garage door opener.
The key additions the Limited brings over the Laredo Altitude are the Alpine audio system and heated second-row seats. For buyers who have children in the back seat during Nassau County winters, heated second-row seats are meaningful. For buyers who prioritize audio quality in their daily commute, the Alpine 9-speaker system is a genuine improvement over the Laredo Altitude’s sound.
Most buyers who prioritize the powertrain, screen, and L2 driver assist over premium audio and second-row heating find the Laredo Altitude is complete. Buyers who place value on those rear-seat features find the step to Limited worth taking.
"The Laredo Altitude is the trim customers keep landing on, and the reason becomes obvious the moment they compare it to the base Laredo. The 2.0L Turbo, the 12.3-inch screen, and the Active Drive Assist are all things you use every single day on Nassau County roads. Jeep packaged all of those features into one step-up trim instead of asking buyers to add options individually — and the market responded."
General Manager, Westbury Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram
Fuel economy figures from EPA fuel economy estimates. Actual mileage varies with driving conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2.0L Turbo on the Laredo Altitude the same engine as higher trims? Yes — the 2.0L Turbocharged engine producing 324 horsepower with 8-speed transmission is standard from the Laredo Altitude through the Summit. The base Laredo is the only Grand Cherokee trim with the 3.6L V6.
What touchscreen does the Laredo Altitude have? The Laredo Altitude includes a 12.3” touchscreen navigation radio — a step up from the base Laredo’s 8.4” screen. The 12.3” screen appears at every trim from the Laredo Altitude through the Summit.
Does the Laredo Altitude have a sunroof option? Yes — a single-pane sunroof is available as an add-on option on the Laredo Altitude.
What’s the difference between Active Lane Management (on the Laredo) and Active Drive Assist L2 (on the Laredo Altitude)? Active Lane Management (base Laredo) provides lane departure warnings and gentle steering corrections. Active Drive Assist L2 (Laredo Altitude and above) actively steers to maintain lane centering combined with adaptive cruise control — a hands-on system that manages both speed and steering simultaneously on highways.
See the Laredo Altitude at Westbury Jeep
Westbury Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram in Jericho carries the full Grand Cherokee lineup including the Laredo Altitude. Browse current Grand Cherokee inventory or contact the team to schedule a Laredo Altitude test drive.