The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s most notable feature is, naturally, its plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, assembled in Termoli, Italy, pairs with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack to deliver a hugely impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. To put it into context, those figures sit above the company’s 5.7-liter V8’s output of 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.
All that power runs to standard four-wheel drive (4WD). It’s managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, which has a high-voltage motor-generator mounted to it in place of a traditional torque converter, to the tune of 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). All told the Grand Cherokee 4xe sports a total driving range of 470 miles.
Now, before we get too excited about finally getting a Grand Cherokee with good gas mileage, remember that these measurements assume ideal conditions and a battery pack with plenty of charge. Cold weather will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the Jeep’s efficiency, and once the battery runs dry, the vehicle is rated to return a more down-to-earth EPA rating of 23 miles per gallon.
Keep the battery charged, however, and this is without a doubt the most fuel-efficient Grand Cherokee ever built. The battery pack supplies 25 miles of all-electric driving range. That’s four more miles of electric range than you get from the Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s identical powertrain, thanks to the Grand Cherokee’s more aerodynamic styling.
An electronic front-axle disconnect also helps save fuel by disengaging the engine from the front wheels, providing power only to the rears. When the Grand Cherokee senses the need for four-wheel drive, it reengages.
Jeep also programs the Grand Cherokee 4xe with the same E Select powertrain modes that we found in the Wrangler 4xe. Hybrid mode blends battery and engine operation to provide the most efficient driving behavior, although it prioritizes battery use ahead of the engine, so driving in hybrid mode will result in a depleted battery eventually.
Electric mode employs only the electric motors until the Grand Cherokee depletes its battery, or if the driver makes a sudden call for more power. Finally, eSave mode drives the Grand Cherokee off its 2.0-liter gas engine, saving the battery for later use. eSave can be configured to use the engine as a generator, charging the battery, but doing so at a less efficient rate.
Like most PHEVs and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the Grand Cherokee 4xe is fitted with regenerative braking. The system operates as you’d expect. If so inclined, drivers can select the Max Regen setting via a button on the dashboard, which will bring the car to a full stop, allowing for one-pedal driving.
Jeep offers the Grand Cherokee 4xe with two off-road systems. Quadra-Trac II is the less aggressive of the two. It’s equipped with torque-sensing and an active transfer case to deliver power to the wheel that needs it, but if you’re heading way off the beaten path, Quadra-Drive II will take you farther. Quadra-Drive II builds on the Quadra-Trac II courtesy of an electronic limited-slip differential, a two-speed transfer case, and 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio.
All Grand Cherokees can go places most other family SUVs just can’t go. The 4xe’s electric powertrain adds an interesting element to the experience. There’s no torque build-up when spooling out electric power, so it’s all available right as you begin to depress the throttle. This makes throttle control easier in slow-speed maneuvers. When you need extra grip, there’s also Jeep’s Select-Terrain traction system, which offers specific modes for Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand.
The most off-road capable trim level of the Grand Cherokee is the Trailhawk trim, regardless of whether you buy a 4xe or a gas model. Trailhawk modes boast a maximum of 10.9 inches of ground clearance, courtesy of Jeep’s Quadra-Lift suspension. That ground clearance also helps the Grand Cherokee wade through a max depth of 24 inches.
Although the 4xe delivers much better fuel economy (with a full battery) than other Grand Cherokees, it suffers in the towing department. Its 6,000-pound max tow rating is less than the towing capacities for both the V6- and V8-powered models.