The fastest Jeep Grand Cherokee is no longer equipped with a large V-8 engine. Instead, it’s a plug-in hybrid with a turbo-4 under the hood. It’s the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, and it’s part of a future that will upset enthusiasts.
With the arrival of the fifth generation Grand Cherokee is a plug-in hybrid model with more power and efficiency than any other Grand Cherokee on sale today. The new 4xe model achieves these without sacrificing a bit of ability or luxury. However, it comes with a price, at least $59,495 including the $1,795 destination fee.
Despite its hefty price tag, the 4xe is the Grand Cherokee for many buyers, depending on budget and use case. Here’s why.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
It has power
The Grand Cherokee 4xe is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-4 making 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 44 hp alternator (replacing the starter and connecting the shaft). crank through the belt), and an electric motor with 134 hp and 198 lb-ft of torque in an eight-speed automatic transmission. Total system output is 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, 18 hp and 80 lb-ft more torque than 5.7 liter V-8 optional. It’s also more torque New inline-6 supercharged Stellantis in standard output.
Those power ratings translate to increased performance. While the V-8-powered Grand Cherokee sprints from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, the 4xe version drops the 0-60 mph time to 6.0 seconds.
As in the Wrangler 4xe, from which the powertrain is raised, the driver has a choice of three electric drive modes: Hybrid, e-Save and Electric. Hybrid optimizes engine and engine power for the best fuel economy. E-Save locks the battery to save juice to be called later. Interestingly it also allows the drivetrain, which is very slow, at up to 3 kWh, to recharge the battery, although this is not an efficient way to recharge the battery pack. Electric mode doesn’t always run on electricity because the gasoline engine will work when the throttle is strong because the electric motor is simply not that powerful.
Jeep says the battery will take 12-14 hours to recharge on a Level 1 charger, and that drops to 3-4 hours on a Level 2 plug.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
It’s more efficient
In this brave new world, the most powerful models suddenly become the most effective. With an EPA fuel economy rating of 56 MPGe, 23 mpg combined, and a 25-mile electric range, the 4xe is easily the most efficient Grand Cherokee.
During a day of 4×4 driving for about 200 miles, I took the PHEV through off-road and off-road steps. When mixed driving starts at 99% charge, the 17.3 kWh battery provides just over 24 miles of electric range. After exhausting, the average overall fuel economy during the 106 miles of mixed driving averaged 23.5 mpg, as calculated by the trip computer, both of which are in line with EPA ratings. Things fell apart in the last 100 miles of mostly highway driving. Starting with no water in the battery and driving all the way back from the fields in Texas to the hotel in Austin in Hybrid mode, the 4xe’s powertrain only averaged 18.5 mpg, according to the engine. the nature of the trip. The V-8 (and V-6) can do better in that case. Turbos spooling carbonated drinks.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Smooth operation, a bit late, on the road
Out of the downtown parking lot of our hotel in Austin in Electric mode, the 4xe moved as quietly with little regenerative braking as a gasoline-powered Grand Cherokewe. However, I pressed a button to turn on Max Regeneration, which a Jeep representative said is supposed to be the same as the single-pedal mode in an EV. No cigars.
When approaching the first stop, a section of the road was blocked, the Grand Cherokee did not come to a complete stop with only regenerative braking, even with Max Regeneration on. At highway speeds, reverse speed is weak, ramping up at speeds below 40, and maximum reverse coming online is just over 30 mph. 4xe will crawl forward when stopped if your foot does not apply the brake. Max Regeneration will continue to work when the vehicle is restarted and there is little reason or benefit to turn it off.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
When the battery runs out, the Grand Cherokee will behave like any other hybrid on the road. The blend of power from the turbo-4 to the electric is seamless, as is the transition of the eight-speed automatic transmission.
When instantaneous power is required for merge, overtaking or emergency maneuvering, the entire powertrain loses a beat. That’s a double beat if the gasoline engine is in sleep mode and the Grand Cherokee moves on electric power only. The point-and-shoot nature of the V-8 while moving in traffic is simply absent here. It can be difficult to get used to a second or so for the powertrain to wake up and deliver full power.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Off-road bag and mixed tow bag
When driving off-road, the instantaneous torque from the electric motor is very good. However, the way Jeep adjusts power so quickly eliminates the ability to easily tune it in certain situations. Specifically, the problem appeared when trying to climb a rock face or roll over a rock. Even in the Terrain management system’s Rock mode, the power delivery has the on and off feel of a light switch. The Max Regeneration mode makes power delivery a bit more linear, but it’s still difficult to manage power in crawl situations.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Jeep rates the 4xe as having a towing capacity of 6,000 lb, 200 lb less than the V-6 and 1,200 lb less than the V-8. Although I strongly advise against pulling a maximum load because it leaves no flaws, which is exactly what Jeep asked us to do. With a nearly 6,000 lb trailer and a classic Jeep mail truck trailing the 4x and running out of battery, the Jeep sped away quietly when stopped and had no problem accelerating thanks to the instantaneous torque of the engine. electromechanical in Hybrid mode. In my extremely limited testing on gravel, I didn’t hit 40 mph, so the exercise only provides a glimpse of the plug-in’s capabilities with a trailer to the side. later — maybe there’s a reason. Even at 40 mph, the turbo whine is audible as it revs above 3,000 rpm for most of the time. We look forward to testing more of the 4xe’s towing capabilities in the future.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
Can be a value
For $59,495, there are 4xe cheaper Grand Cherokees. However, the base 4xe starts as a Limited model with quite a few stacked options as standard, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof. and a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system for the front passenger. A similarly optional Limited model will be $6,655 cheaper before counting on the available $7,500 federal tax credit. That tax credit could make the base 4xe cheaper than a relatively equipped Limited model. The price difference decreases slightly on mid-range models and increases slightly on the top-end Summit Reserve model. Your value proposition may vary.
Even for brief testing, it’s hard to recommend the 4xe to people who will use the Grand Cherokee as their primary towing vehicle, although it can do the trick. For those who can take advantage of the full federal tax credit, it makes more financial sense to choose the more expensive powertrain from day one. Either way, it’s clear that the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid doesn’t lose a bit of its off-road ability while offering more power and efficiency in everyday driving.
Jeep paid for the airfare, hotel, and meal so the Motor Authority could drive to a Texas nook and bring you this first report.
