JEEP

Test: Grand Cherokee 4xe

If the thought of a 4x4 plug-in hybrid that runs through mud, hits boulders and crosses streams seems exotic, well, it's gone.

That's no longer the case with the arrival of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, which seeks to be more eco-friendly than its Grand Cherokee siblings, and it is. The V8-engined all-wheel drive model returns 17 mpg in combined city/highway driving, while the 4xe returns 23 mpg doing the same task.

The 6-cylinder model returns 22 mpg. For some, the mileage difference will not be worth the cost difference. But for others, the 4xe has a unique advantage: the ability to travel 42 kilometers on electricity alone. This, along with its hybrid transmission line, will save $1,250 in operating costs, according to the EPA. This means that if you bought your 4xe in an Overland finish versus a conventional Overland Grand Cherokee, it will take 7.3 years to break even before you start saving money on the hybrid.

But the basic all-wheel-drive Grand Cherokee Laredo starts at $40,720, while the Grand Cherokee 4xe starts at $58,095, before a destination fee of $1,795. That's a difference of $17,375, meaning it would take 13.9 years to make up the difference in fueling costs. So this is a vehicle that has more to do with ecological altruism than saving on fuel costs.

But the Wrangler 4xe quickly became America's best-selling hybrid. Given that off-roaders love the environment, this should hardly come as a surprise.

Exterior...The two-row Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe SUV differs little in appearance from the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, which mixes styling cues from Jeep history, brilliant Jeep Compass work with a sloping grille that pays homage to the first SUV from three rows of the Jeep, the wagon driver. Unusually, there are few clues about the vehicle's powertrain, apart from blue tow hooks and other blue accents scattered across its exterior.

It retains the rugged athleticism you'd expect from a Jeep, along with a healthy dose of savoir faire. Hybrids have rarely been so attractive.

Interior...It's hard not to be impressed by the interior of the 4xe Overland, clad in soft leather and trimmed with wood, knurled metal and French stitching. The build quality is impeccable, and the spacious interior and many amenities will ensure everyone is comfortable as they traverse the primeval forest. There's still plenty of room for your stuff, with a load capacity of 37.7 cubic feet, 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

And it's extremely quiet, thanks to laminated glass and other noise reduction measures.

Powertrain...The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe combines two electric motors, a 400-volt battery, a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and an 8-speed automatic transmission to deliver 375 horsepower and 470 pounds- feet of torque to all four wheels. It also provides 26 miles of pure electric driving.

It is equipped with an electronic limited-slip rear differential, Jeep Quadra Trac II 4×4 system with two-speed transfer case, a low gear ratio of 2.72:1 and a tracking ratio of 47.4:1. It can tow up to 6,000 pounds, ford 24 inches of water, has 10.9 inches of ground clearance, a payload of 1,575 pounds, and a 36-degree approach angle and 30-degree departure angle. Try this with a Prius.

Five steering settings are offered by the Selec-Terrain traction control system: Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow and Mud/Sand.

Security and technology...Driver assistance safety systems include active brake collision warning and pedestrian/cyclist detection, rear crossing detection, adaptive cruise control, active lane management, lane departure warning, advanced braking assistance, blind spot, rear parking assist sensors, passive entry, and automatic headlights. Summit models also get active steering assistance, drowsy driver detection, intersection collision assistance, traffic sign recognition, 360-degree surround view camera with front and rear lens washers, and parallel and perpendicular parking assistance. 

The instrument cluster features a touchscreen infotainment system, a digital gauge panel and an optional head-up display. The latest version of Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system offers great features and is as simple to use and adaptable as a smartphone. Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. And the premium Macintosh audio system with 19 speakers is excellent.

When you think about it, what off-roaders love as much as the outdoors is the grunt it takes to get them to where the sidewalk ends. And the torque from the electric motors, which is instantly available, makes for a very capable off-road vehicle and a surprisingly satisfying vehicle. The pedal feel is progressive and easy to modulate.

Suspension is compliant, as you would expect from any boulder beater. But it never feels undisciplined when highway handling dynamics are needed. The steering feels heavy and there isn't much road feel, but that's normal these days.

While the pure electric range can be used quite quickly, especially if you have a heavy throttle foot, the gas-electric hybrid mode provides surprisingly wide acceleration and combined fuel economy of 24.5 mpg. With careful driving, that number could have been even higher. Considering EPA rates, the Grand Cherokee 4xe at 23 mpg in combined driving, that's impressive.

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe – FAQ:

-How much will the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe cost?

Prices start at $58,095 for the Grand Cherokee 4xe before options and a destination fee of $1,795 for the Grand Cherokee 4xe base and go up to $74,300 for the Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve.

-How fast is the Grand Cherokee 4xe?

Jeep claims the Grand Cherokee 4xe can hit 60 mph in 6 seconds.

-Can the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe tow?

Yup. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.

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