2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Plug-In Hybrid: First Look

Hey my good friends, Sam Haymart with Test Driven TV. The all-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been unveiled and I think one of the most interesting new versions is the plug-in hybrid 4xe. So we're going to have our first look inside and out. The all-new 2022 Grand Cherokee is a groundbreaking replacement for the previous generation, offering a completely redesigned chassis architecture, a more refined exterior design, and an interior that sets a new level for Jeep craftsmanship. The design builds on heritage with a new take of the 7-slot grille while taking a more elongated and wider looking profile. A lower roof and window line contribute to that sense, but it's indeed wider with an added 1.4 inches of track. While modernity comes to the Grand Cherokee in all of its exterior and interior design, its new technologies for the driver, and the upgrades to the chassis dynamics, nothing speaks more to the engineering progress than the new 4xe plug-in hybrid model. Sporting unique styling touches, the 4xe Trailhawk we see here has bright blue tow hooks, 18-inch alloy wheels with blue accents, a two-tone paint scheme with a gloss black roof. A charging port is located on the front fender for a convenient nose in parking at charging stations. So now you can have your trail and protect it too with the new Grand Cherokee 4xe that can do everything you expect off-road and travel up to 25 miles on emission-free EV power. Operating as a hybrid the rest of the time, it can achieve efficiency no Grand Cherokee has ever seen. With a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors backed up by an 8-speed automatic transmission, the 4xe has an astonishing 375 horsepower and 470 pound feet of torque that can pass on the freeway, crawl up rock hills, and tow up to 6,000 pounds. Oh, and it can achieve an EPA estimated 57 mpg-e. Yeah, in driving around you can select EV mode if there's enough charge, otherwise the 4xe operates as a conventional hybrid vehicle. The system features a motor generator in place of the alternator which operates with a gasoline engine with a belt. The larger more powerful traction motor is sandwiched between the engine and the transmission in place of the torque converter. A liquid-cooled 400 volt 17 kilowatt hour EV battery pack is mounted underneath the floor, completely waterproof and protected by skid plates. The best part is that capability off-road isn't compromised, as the available 4xe Trailhawk featured here has a tried and true Quadra-Trac 2 4x4 system with 2-speed transfer case in a 2.72 to 1 low range and a healthy 47.4 to 1 call ratio. This is all backed up by a standard rear electronic limited slip differential along with all of the select train off-road software toys that come with other trail rated Jeep models. Add in the Trailhawk's Quadra-Lift air suspension and it can have 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water for a capability. Behind the wheel, the Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a whole new level of material quality, fit and finish, and available technologies. Available dual 10.1 inch digital screens for both the instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system feature tech features a list way too long to list. The big thing to take away here is that this is an interior that is far and above anything that's come before it for Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 2022 Grand Cherokee will arrive in dealerships later this year with the Grand Cherokee 4xe arriving in the first part of 2022. Pricing will be announced closer to that time. Can you tell I'm a little bit excited about this? I can't wait to test drive it and obviously the rest of the new Grand Cherokee line and those are coming my way very soon, but until then I invite you to see our latest video right there or better yet subscribe to our YouTube channel where you'll be informed of everything we do. Either way, stay tuned!