2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hybrid Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe Hybrid shares its size, shape, and styling with the standard Grand Cherokee, but enters into the world of electrification with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain designed to increase efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions without comprising this rugged ute's off-road capabilities. A first for the GC line, its green-focused powertrain provides the welcome and unexpected benefit of making it the quickest Grand Cherokee in the lineup, some two seconds quicker to sixty mph in C/D testing than any other version. That’s good because the Grand Cherokee 4xe commands a significant premium over its standard nonhybrid Grand Cherokee sibling. Otherwise, the Jeep experience continues undiluted, the Grand Cherokee 4xe delivering the same comfortable interior, quiet highway ride, all-wheel drive functionality, and rugged outdoorsy looks that landed it an Editors’ Choice award.

What's New for 2022?

Nearly everything. Launched simultaneously alongside the standard-size gasoline-fired Grand Cherokee and preceded by the launch of the stretched 2021 Grand Cherokee L three-row, the two-row Grand Cherokee 4xe Hybrid reviewed here arrives as a 2022 model. Aside from its plug-in hybrid powertrain, it shares most of its style and features with the regular gas-powered lineup.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Jeep offers the 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain in a surprising number of trims. While the base model offers a blend of features and price that will satisfy many buyers, the Trailhawk 4xe brings an air suspension, adaptive dampers, Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive with an electronic rear locker, and a front anti-roll bar disconnect, among other items. Adding such items à la carte from the factory or aftermarket suppliers would not only be a hassle but would also inflict far more serious damage to the checkbook.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s hybrid powertrain is nearly identical to the one found in the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe. That means a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 270 horsepower and 279 pound-feet of torque working in cahoots with a pair of electric motors. The first is a motor/generator that replaces the alternator and is good for 44 horsepower and 39 pound-feet; the second, larger, motor is mounted to the transmission and produces 134 horsepower and 195 pound-feet. A battery with a useable 14.0-kWh capacity stores the juice. Combined output for the trio is 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, numbers that outpace the 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of the 3.6-liter V-6 in the standard Grand Cherokee. With a firm brake pedal, linear steering, and a smooth ride, the Grand Cherokee moves with confidence.

0–60-MPH Times

Though we haven’t had the chance to strap our test gear to a 2022 GC 4xe, we did test a mechanically identical 2023 model that hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds; the quarter mile consumed 13.9 seconds with a trap speed of 100 mph. That's 0.3 seconds quicker to 60 mph and 1.3 seconds sooner to 100 mph than the now-discontinued V-8 version.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe is rated to tow up to 6000 pounds. That's only 200 pounds less than the V-6–equipped Grand Cherokee and 1200 pounds less than the now-discontinued Grand Cherokee with the 5.7-liter V-8. But it's more than the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which has a 3500-pound maximum towing capacity.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe has a 14.0-kWh battery pack and an EPA-estimated electric-only driving range of 26 miles. A typical 240-volt charging connection to the 4xe's 7.2-kW onboard charger can juice up the battery in about 2.5 hours. Plugging into a standard wall socket the charge could take eight to 15 hours, depending on the outlet. Jeep boasts that the Grand Cherokee with the 4xe powertrain completed the famed 22-mile Rubicon Trail entirely in its EV driving mode.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

The Grand Cherokee 4xe carries an EPA estimate of 56 MPGe combined, and a gasoline-only estimate of 23 mpg combined. When we get a chance to take a Grand Cherokee 4xe on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route, we'll update this story with real-world test results. For more information about the Grand Cherokee 4xe’s fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Grand Cherokee's thoroughly modern cabin is handsomely styled and features quality materials. While the base model offers the essentials, upscale Summit and Overland trims add luxuries like quilted leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and high-tech digital displays. The Grand Cherokee 4xe is strictly a two-row SUV but buyers seeking a third row can upgrade to the Grand Cherokee L, which we review separately. Behind the second row, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offers a spacious cargo hold that's the same size as the nonhybrid model at 38 cubic feet.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Grand Cherokee 4xe's dashboard is home to a 10.1-inch touchscreen with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and in-dash navigation with real-time traffic and weather updates. All models also come with a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster; a 10.0-inch head-up display is optional as is a 10.3-inch display embedded into the dashboard for use by the front-seat passenger. While the Base and Trailhawk models ship with a stereo system tuned by Alpine, buyers of the Overland and Summit models get a high-end 19-speaker McIntosh arrangement.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Driver-assistance features such as pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control features are becoming increasingly important to shoppers, and Jeep is delivering a comprehensive suite of standard safety tech to satisfy that demand. For more information about the Grand Cherokee's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

All Grand Cherokee 4xe Hybrids come with the same standard warranty package that lines up with most other mid-size crossovers, including the Chevrolet Blazer and the Ford Edge. Rivals such as the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Santa Fe both offer longer terms here, but the Jeep's warranty also covers three years of scheduled maintenance.

• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
• Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included

More Features and Specs