Next Level Performance
November 1, 2026 • 9 min read
The best winter side steps for the 2011-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee are the Westin Platinum 4 Oval Nerf Step Bars — a 4-inch oval bar with a recessed, grippy step pad that gives you sure footing when you climb into a tall, snow-dusted 4x4. A WK2 Grand Cherokee rides high: with the optional Quadra-Lift air suspension it lifts to roughly 11.3 inches of ground clearance, and a boot caked in snow, salt, and slush slides right off a bare door sill. A wide step with a non-slip surface fixes that, and it shields the lower doors and rockers — the number-one corrosion zone on any salt-belt winter driver. Below we compare five options that actually bolt on to the 2011-2018 Grand Cherokee, from a $253 budget bar to a $660 platform board.
Our Verdict
For winter grip and value, the Westin Platinum 4 Oval is the step bar to beat on the 2011-2018 Grand Cherokee.
Its 4-inch recessed step pad gives the widest, grippiest foot placement of any round or oval bar here, the e-coated, powder-coated steel shrugs off road salt, and the no-drill mount kit is included. Want a full-width board instead? The Go Rhino OE Xtreme 5-inch or the LUND Crossroads aluminum board are the winners — and the Westin E-Series 3 covers the budget.
Shop Our Top Pick →Why Side Steps Matter More in Winter
A side step earns its keep in winter because it turns an icy, high step-up into a secure, grippy platform. The WK2 Grand Cherokee (2011-2018) was engineered as a go-anywhere SUV — Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and the Quadra-Drive II system with Selec-Terrain Snow mode all raise the roofline and the door sills off the ground. On air-suspension models the body sits even higher. Add a winter boot with snow packed into the tread and you have a real slip hazard every time you, your kids, or an older passenger get in.
The second job is corrosion defense. Running boards and step bars sit directly below the doors and over the rockers, catching the salt spray, sand, and slush your 20-inch wheels fling up. Those lower rockers and door bottoms are where winter rust starts. A board or bar takes the beating instead, and the grip surface — molded polymer pads, rubber SuperGrip pads, or a ribbed aluminum tread — is what keeps a wet sole from sliding. Smooth, round chrome tubes look good in summer but are the worst choice when they ice over.
The recessed step pad is the winter-critical detail: a wide, non-slip surface under each door.
How We Picked for the 2011-2018 Grand Cherokee
Every option below is confirmed to fit the 2011-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) and is in stock at NLP Performance. We ranked them on the four things that matter when the temperature drops:
- Grip surface: The width and material of the step pad. A 4-inch or 5-inch pad with molded or rubber grip beats a narrow, smooth tube every time on ice.
- Corrosion resistance: Extruded aluminum and e-coated, powder-coated steel handle salt far better than bare or lightly plated tube.
- Mounting: All five use vehicle-specific, no-drill brackets that bolt to factory points — critical so you are not drilling into a frame you want to protect from rust.
- Value: Pricing runs from about $253 to $660. Every Buyer's Guide pick here includes a clearly labeled budget option under $600.
The 5 Best Winter Side Steps & Running Boards
The Platinum 4 Oval is our overall winner because it blends the surest footing with real salt protection at a mid-pack price. The oval tube measures 4.25 inches at its widest and carries a 4-inch recessed step pad, so a winter boot lands on a broad, textured surface instead of rolling off a round tube. The body is e-coated and then powder-coated steel — a two-layer defense against the salt and brine your Grand Cherokee drives through from November to March. It ships with 90-degree mandrel-bent bars, a vehicle-specific no-drill mount kit, and a 3-year warranty on the black finish. At $324.33 it is marked down from $503.75 and currently carries an extra 15% off.
Key Specifications — Westin Platinum 4 Oval
If you want the widest step here, the Go Rhino OE Xtreme is a 5-inch-wide low-profile side step with SuperGrip rubber pads running the length of the board. The 5-inch face gives the biggest, most confident target for a snow-packed boot, and the low-profile shape hugs the rocker so it does not hang down into deep snow or ruts. It is built from heavy-duty mild steel in a textured black finish — a coating Go Rhino backs with a 5-year finish warranty on top of its limited-lifetime construction coverage. This is a complete kit: the steps and the vehicle-specific brackets ship together, and installation is no-cut, no-drill on the Grand Cherokee. At $574.99 it is the sweet spot for drivers who want a board-style step without the full-length running-board price.
Go Rhino's 5-inch low-profile step: a wide rubber-padded surface that hugs the rocker.
The LUND Crossroads is the pick for drivers who want a true full-length running board rather than two short bars. It is a 70-inch extruded-aluminum board — aluminum does not rust, which is a real advantage in the salt belt — with a full-length rubber tread strip so there is grip from the front door to the rear. The chrome end caps and polished face give the Grand Cherokee a cleaner, more SUV-like look than a tube bar, and it is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Note that a full-length board catches more slush spray than a narrow bar, so plan on an occasional rinse. At $507.22, down from $799.99, it is a strong value for an aluminum full-board kit.
Rugged Ridge is a Jeep-focused brand, and its WK running board is a stout steel platform in a textured black powder coat that matches a blacked-out Grand Cherokee. The wide stepping surface and aggressive tread give solid winter footing, and the steel build feels bomb-proof underfoot. It is the priciest option at $659.99, and it is the only pick over $600 in this guide, so it makes the most sense for owners who already run black trim and want the look to match. Like the others it mounts with no-drill, vehicle-specific brackets.
The best value here is the Westin E-Series 3. It is a 3-inch round tube in black powder-coated steel with a recessed polymer step pad at each door, rated for a 300-350 lb step load depending on application. You give up the wider 4-inch pad of the Platinum, but you still get a grippy, no-drill step that defends the rockers for $252.60 — the lowest price in this guide and the clear budget pick for a 2011-2018 Grand Cherokee. It carries the same 3-year warranty on the black finish and, like the Platinum, currently has an extra 15% off.
2011-2018 Grand Cherokee Side Steps Compared
Here is how the five picks stack up on the attributes that decide winter grip and longevity. Prices are current at NLP Performance and update live on each listing.
| Kit | Step Style | Grip Surface | Material & Finish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westin Platinum 4 OvalTop Pick | 4 in oval bar | Recessed polymer pads | E-coated black steel | $324.33 |
| Go Rhino OE Xtreme 5in | 5 in low-profile | SuperGrip rubber pads | Textured black steel | $574.99 |
| LUND Crossroads 70in | Full-length board | Full rubber tread | Extruded aluminum / chrome | $507.22 |
| Rugged Ridge Running Board | Platform board | Textured tread | Black powder-coat steel | $659.99 |
| Westin E-Series 3Budget | 3 in round bar | Molded step pads | Black powder-coat steel | $252.60 |
Top Pick Pros & Cons: Westin Platinum 4 Oval
What We Like
- + Wide 4-inch recessed step pad for sure winter footing
- + E-coated and powder-coated steel resists road salt
- + No-drill mount kit included, fits 2011-2018 Grand Cherokee
Things to Consider
- – Two step pads, not a full-length surface like a board
- – Black steel carries a 3-year warranty, not the stainless lifetime
Installation & Winter Care
All five kits are no-drill, bolt-on installs that use the Grand Cherokee's factory mounting points under the rocker. In our Tampa shop, a set of step bars like the Westin Platinum or E-Series takes about 45-60 minutes with basic hand tools; full-length boards such as the LUND Crossroads run a little longer because of their length and bracket count. Torque the bracket hardware to spec and re-check it after the first week of driving. For winter longevity, rinse the steps and the rockers behind them with fresh water after salted roads to keep brine from building up in the step pads and bracket seams — the same five-minute habit that protects your brake lines and frame.
A full-length aluminum board bolts to factory points and shields the rockers from slush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do side steps really help in winter?
Yes. A side step with a wide, non-slip pad gives you a secure place to put a snow- or salt-covered boot when climbing into a tall SUV, which is where most icy slips happen. Steps and running boards also shield the lower doors and rockers from salt spray and slush, the number-one place winter rust starts on a Grand Cherokee.
Will these fit my 2011-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
All five options in this guide are confirmed to fit the 2011-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) and mount to factory points with no drilling. The Go Rhino and Rugged Ridge fitments extend through 2020-2021, and the LUND Crossroads is listed for 2011-2017, so check your exact year against each listing before ordering.
Are side steps or full running boards better for snow?
Both work; the choice is about coverage. Step bars like the Westin Platinum and E-Series give two grippy pads under the doors and sit higher, so they clear deep snow and ruts better. Full-length boards like the LUND Crossroads give a continuous grip surface from front to rear door — better for kids and passengers — but catch more slush spray along their length.
Do Jeep Grand Cherokee side steps require drilling?
No. Every pick in this guide uses vehicle-specific, no-drill brackets that bolt to existing factory mounting points under the rocker panel. That matters in winter: you avoid creating bare-metal holes that become new rust sites on a salt-exposed body.
What finish lasts longest against road salt?
Extruded aluminum, like the LUND Crossroads, does not rust and is the most corrosion-proof base material. Among steel options, an e-coated and powder-coated finish such as the Westin Platinum's two-layer coating resists salt far better than plain chrome or lightly plated tube. Rinsing the steps after salted drives extends the life of any finish.
How much do side steps for the Grand Cherokee cost?
Expect roughly $250 to $660 for a quality, vehicle-specific set. In this guide the Westin E-Series 3 is the budget pick at $252.60, the Westin Platinum 4 Oval lands mid-pack at $324.33, and the Rugged Ridge steel board tops out at $659.99. All current NLP Performance pricing updates live on each product page.
Winter-Proof Your Grand Cherokee
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