In line with its “Zero Emission Freedom” policy, Jeep has released details of its first-ever
electrified Grand Cherokee.
Priced from $129,950 (plus on-roads), the Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe Plug-In
Hybrid will arrive here in August to supplement the recently released fifth-generation Jeep
Grand Cherokee five and seven-seat variants.
Reserve 4xe combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with two electric
motors and a 400-volt 17.3-kWh EV battery pack paired with a TorqueFlite eight-speed
automatic transmission.
There are two available 4×4 systems – Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Trac II. Both 4×4
systems feature an active transfer case to improve traction by distributing torque to the
wheel with the most grip. Quadra-Trac II adds Selec-Terrain and Quadra Lift Air
Suspension.
Overall, the 4xe system delivers 280kW of combined power and 637Nm of combined
torque. Full-electric range, according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC)
monitoring program is 52 kilometres with combined fuel economy of 3.2 litres per 100 km.
The charge port is located beneath a push-open/close cover on the left front of the vehicle
for nose-in parking at charging locations. The charge port includes LED indicators of
charging status as well as an LED battery level monitor on top of the instrument panel.
Charging time varies from less than 10 hours (Mode 2) to less than 3 hours (Mode 3 at
7.4kWh).
Efficiency is enhanced via the use of electric power steering and an electrically driven air
conditioning compressor, removing those loads from the engine.
The battery pack system includes a dedicated heating and cooling circuit to keep the
battery at its optimum temperature for best performance with a dedicated heater unit and a
chiller that uses the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s air-conditioning refrigerant to reduce coolant
temperature when needed.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe comes with E-Selec modes that can adjust the hybrid
powertrain to best suit each trip. The three modes, Hybrid, Electric and eSave, are
selected from buttons mounted on the instrument panel. Regardless of the mode selected,
the vehicle operates as a hybrid once the battery nears its minimum state of charge.
Regenerative braking is also part of the 4xe system.
The 4xe system also includes an Integrated Dual Charging Module (IDCM) that combines
a battery charger and a DC/DC converter in a single, compact unit and a Power Inverter
Module (PIM) that is reduced in size. These are mounted under the body and protected
with steel shields. All high-voltage electronics are sealed and waterproof.
Exterior features in the 4xe include automatic LED headlights with automatic high-beam
control, black painted roof and 21-inch polished/painted alloy wheels.
Inside the Summit Reserve 4xe are quilted Palermo leather-trimmed seats, 12-way power
with four-way power lumbar adjustment and massage for both driver and front passenger,
ventilated front and outboard second-row seats, four-zone automatic climate control, and
dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
Standard safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive
cruise control with stop and go, active lane management, ParkSense parallel and
perpendicular park assist, active driving assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking
with cyclist detection, traffic sign recognition, 360-degree camera and digital rearview
mirror.
As with all other models in the Grand Cherokee range convenience features including two
USB Type C sockets, a 10.25-inch frameless digital instrument cluster display with nearly
two dozen different menus from which the user can select, including driver-assist
technologies, such as Active Driving Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and available Night
Vision.
The 10.25 infotainment screen includes Uconnect 5 Nav with Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto and Premium McIntosh High Performance Audio System with 19 speakers and 950-
watt amplifier.
A $5500 Advanced Technology Group option package adds a Head-Up display, wireless
smartphone charging pad, night vision camera and 10.25-inch front passenger interactive
display.
Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe will come with eight colour choices, some optional:
Bright White, Velvet Red, Diamond Black, Silver Zynith, Midnight Sky, Rocky Mountain,
Hydro Blue or Baltic Grey.
We’ll be testing the new Cherokee PHEV when it arrives and will do a full road test review
at that time.
