The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe’s Numbers May Surprise You
Jeep is building a plug-in hybrid version of its popular Grand Cherokee SUV. Some fans of classic Mopar muscle and off-roading are skeptical of the plug-in hybrid. But the new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe might make enough power to win them over.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe makes more power than a HEMI V8
The base Grand Cherokee ships with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. The top-trim, HEMI powered Jeep features Chrysler corporation’s trusty 5.7-liter V8. The engineers at Jeep tuned this HEMI to make 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe features both internal combustion and electric power. Under its hood Stellantis’ 2.0-liter “Hurricane” turbocharged I4 makes about 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Tornado engine is also available in the Wrangler and, coincidentally, shares its name with the original Willys Jeep engine.
Instead of an alternator or starter, a 44 horsepower motor/generator turns the I4 into an eTorque-style mild-hybrid. This means the little electric motor can launch the Grand Cherokee from a stop, giving the internal combustion time to power up. FCA pioneered this technology for its fifth-generation Ram and now offers it in Jeeps as well.
In addition, the Grand Cherokee 4xe has a 134 horsepower electric motor integrated into its 8-speed transmission. This engine can power the entire drivetrain without any help from the internal-combustion I4. A 17kWh lithium-ion battery pack feeds these motors.
The resulting plug-in hybrid drivetrain makes 375 horsepower. That’s slightly more than the same Jeep’s HEMI option. But off-road enthusiasts know torque is king. The Cherokee 4xe eclipses the HEMI with 470 lb-ft of torque. Because much of this torque comes from electric motors, its available from 0 rpms.
Most Grand Cherokee 4xe owners will commute without burning any gas
Jeep promises that its 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe will offer “the rush of instant torque” in its electric mode. This “power forward” mode makes plenty of juice to get you around town. Jeep claims the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe will offer a 24-mile all-electric range.
“In Electric Mode you’ll emit nearly zero tailpipe emissions and feel the rush of instant torque every time you push the pedal.”
Jeep
The average American’s commute is just 16 miles. Anyone who can park at a charger would only need to buy gas for longer trips. When Chevrolet gave Jay Leno a Volt plug-in hybrid he drove the vehicle for a year before sheepishly admitted he had yet to burn through a full tank of gas.
The benefit of a plug-in hybrid is its available internal combustion power. If you need to take a road trip, you can fill up the gas tank and go.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk tackled the Rubicon trail–using electric power only
To prove its new plug-in hybrid, Jeep took on the Rubicon trail. The company took the Grand Cheroke Trailhawk 4xe to the legendary off-road trail near Lake Tahoe, California.
The Trailhawk comes with an arsenal of off-road tech. This includes a tow hooks, skidplates, swaybar disconnect, rear limited-slip differential, adaptive damping, and the Quadra-Lift adjustable air suspension system.
It is impressive enough that the Cherokee Trailhawk conquered the Rubicon trail. What is even cooler is that the SUV did so on electric power only.
