New 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid: pictures, specs and details

Jeep has released full details of the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee SUV, which features the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time. This '4xe' version of the car will sit alongside the existing plug-in Renegade and Compass models in the American brand’s electrified line-up.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe will initially be available to pre-order in the Summit Reserve trim level only, on Jeep's website from 24 February to 31 March. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it'll eventually be available in five trims: Limited, Overland, Summit, Summit Reserve and off-road-focused Trailhawk.

This will be the third plug-in hybrid SUV in Jeep’s line-up, sitting above the Compass 4xe and Renegade 4xe. While we’ve yet to see a fully electric Jeep unveiled, CEO Christian Meunier has previously said there’ll be a "fully emissions-free Jeep in every segment by 2025".

18

According to Jeep, the plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe should be able to cover over 30 miles on electric power in urban areas and will have a total cruising range of more than 440 miles before a fill-up is needed. Fuel-economy figures from the industry-standard WLTP testing procedure aren't yet available, however.

Combined, the 4xe’s two electric motors (powered by a 17kWh battery) and 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine produce 369bhp and 637Nm of torque. As with any plug-in hybrid, the battery can be topped up from a charging point, or with energy recovered by the car’s regenerative braking system.

Drivers get a choice of three drive modes: Hybrid, Electric and eSave. In Hybrid, the car determines the best way to optimise battery and engine power to maximise economy and performance, while Electric allows you to travel as far as possible on battery power. Meanwhile, eSave will retain the battery’s charge for later use.

18

The latest Grand Cherokee boasts refreshed styling inside and out, as well as independent front and rear air suspension. There are five rough-terrain modes – Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow and Mud/Sand – and Jeep is confident the move to hybrid power hasn't dented the Grand Cherokee's off-road prowess.

In addition to packing four-wheel drive and nearly 29cm of ground clearance, the 4xe’s electronics are sealed and waterproofed, so you can ford up to 61cm of water in it. To demonstrate the model's off-road capability, Jeep says a Grand Cherokee 4xe was able to cover the entirety of the formidable 22-mile Rubicon Trail in California's Sierra Nevada mountains on electric power alone.

18

Inside, the new Grand Cherokee features a 10.1-inch digital driver’s display and central infotainment touchscreen and the latest iteration of Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system, which is claimed to be five times faster than previous versions and capable of receiving over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

You can also get a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front-seat passenger, as well as a set of 10.1-inch screens in the rear; these run Amazon’s Fire TV service, so passengers in the back can stream movies and TV shows among other things. Standard safety kit includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, collision warnings, blind-spot monitoring, a reversing camera and parking sensors.