2022 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4XE

GRAND CHEROKEE GETS ELECTRIFIED 

WITH NEW PLUG-IN MODEL FOR 2022

Jeep kicks off the fifth generation of its flagship SUV by introducing its first electrified Grand Cherokee a ear after the debut of the 2021 plug-in Wrangler.

No, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is not a fully electric vehicle but a plug-in that includes a gasoline engine to allay any fears of running out of power while on an extended trip.

As opposed to an EV, the PHEV has limited battery range of 25 miles but with an EPA rating of 57 miles-per-gallon, the combined driving range of the two electric motors and 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine is a solid 440 miles.

The system is rated at a combined 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, which outranks the V8 Grand Cherokee as long as the batteries are charged. It includes an 8-speed automatic transmission and has 4X4 capability for off-road excursions. Listed towing capacity is 6,000 pounds..

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe comes as a base 4xe and upgraded Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve models, skipping over the lower Laredo and Altitude trims of gas models.

t seats five in two rows of comfortable seats but if you need/want three rows of seating you’ll have to get the Grand Cherokee L, which doesn’t have the electrified drivetrain.

Jeep likes to brag that
the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk conquered the rugged Rubicon Trail using just electric drive mode, but this review is based on the Overland trim, a name that pays tribute to Jeep’s heritage.

Even base Grand Cherokee models have high quality interiors (we did mention this is the flagship SUV, right?), and the higher trims stack up well with luxury makes when it comes to comfort, quality, and convenience features.

Standard features on the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe include a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, perforated Nappa leather seats, 8-way power driver seat with memory and power front passenger with lumbar adjuster, heated and ventilated front and back seats, dual-zone front and single-zone rear climate control, (four-zone is available in an optional package), and UConnect Navigation with a 10.25-inch touchscreen.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also are standard.

Safety features include active lane management, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, advanced brake assist, blind-spot and lane-departure warning, full-speed collision warning with active braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, and a ParkView backup camera.

MSRP of the  Overland trim for the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe starts at the high end of the Grand Cherokee portfolio with a starting price of $65,760 not including the $1,795 destination charge.

Extra features on my test 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe that included the Luxury Tech Support IV Package (4-zone air conditioning among other features), Advanced ProTech Group III (head-up display, night vision, rear backup camera washer, integrated off-road camera, and more), front passenger interactive display, and rear-seat video ran the final total to $75,035 including destination and delivery.

The base 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee starts at $57,700, the Trailhawk at $62,485, the Summit at $69,820, and the Summit Reserve at $75,300.

What I liked about the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe: It’s a good-looking SUV and the interior is roomy and well done. It’s a comfortable and quiet ride, and the infotainment system is easy enough to use. Cargo capacity (37.7 cubic feet behind the second row) matches up with most other two-row SUVs. If you need more, folding the second row boosts capacity to nearly 71 cubic feet.

What I didn’t like about the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe: The gas engine (270 hp, 295 lb.-ft. of torque) seems to groan at times when the electric motors are not engaged. Everybody seems to be going with push-button or rotary dials for selecting gears these days. The dial on the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is located right where one for operating tech features sits on many other makes. You’ll get used to it, of course, but it could be confusing if you allow others to drive or if your passenger goes to tune the screen from navigation to audio.

Would I buy the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe? Not sure I would go for a PHEV, but I would for the V6. The Grand Cherokee is well-positioned to challenge Land Rover as a luxury, off-road capable SUV.