Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Buyer’s Guide

Balancing impressive capability with refinement and style, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has long been a top-tier SUV. One factor that gives it broad appeal is its dizzying array of options, from powertrains to tech features, allowing drivers to customize the vehicle to fit their specific needs. For the 2022 model year, a new option is on the table: a plug-in hybrid version called the Grand Cherokee 4xe.

If you see a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe for sale, you’ll probably wonder how it differs from its gas-only counterparts. There are a few obvious differences between them, but if you’re an automotive enthusiast, you’ll want to dig deeper and discover everything that sets them apart. So let’s take a look at the Grand Cherokee 4xe and see what it has to offer and how it’s different from the other available powertrains.

By the Numbers

The plug-in hybrid powertrain is one of three available options. The Grand Cherokee’s base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that offers 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Upgrade to the available 5.7-liter V8, and you will get 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. However, with the combined power of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and electric motors, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is even more powerful, with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.

Now some of that power has to go towards carrying around the extra weight of the electric motors and battery, so while the V6 has a max towing capacity of 6,200 lbs and the V8 can tow up to 7,200 lbs, the Grand Cherokee 4xe maxes out at 6,000 lbs. That comes pretty close to the V6 and is still plenty for most folks, but it’s worth considering before you commit to using the plug-in hybrid as your vacation vehicle.

Of course, the hybrid powertrain also gives the Grand Cherokee 4xe better fuel economy. When optioned with 4×4, the V6 Grand Cherokee has a fuel economy of 22 MPG combined, while the V8 only gets 17 MPG combined. But with its efficient electric motors, the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe has a fuel economy of 56 MPGe.

One thing that muddies the waters when it comes to performance stats is battery life. Those peak numbers for horsepower, torque, and fuel economy only apply when the batteries are charged, and you can use the electric motors. Without the extra boost from the motors, the gas engine alone has an output of 270 hp and a fuel economy of 23 MPG combined. So you need to keep the battery charged if you want to take full advantage of the Grand Cherokee 4xe’s potential. Luckily, charging is straightforward and pretty darn quick.

The onboard 7.2 kW charger is capable of fully replenishing the battery pack in an estimated 2-3 hours, as long as you’re using a 240-volt Level II charging station. Fortunately, Jeep offers a Level II home charging station that can be installed indoors or outside so you can recharge in your driveway or garage. The company is also working to install solar-powered charging stations near Jeep Badge of Honor trails, so you can get power where you need it most.

Driving Modes

Thanks to its use of two different power sources, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offers three driving modes. Hybrid Mode uses both the gas engine and the electric motors simultaneously. This unlocks the drivetrain’s full power and will probably be the default mode for most drivers. In Electric Mode, the Grand Cherokee is essentially a full-fledged EV, running on electric power only. This mode is silent with no tailpipe emissions, but the all-electric range is only 26 miles, so it’s really only practical for short trips. If you want to save battery power in order to get maximum horsepower and torque down the road, you can shift into ESave Mode, which uses just the gasoline engine.

Available Trims

The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe is available in five different trims. They are nearly identical to their non-hybrid counterparts, but there are a few differences. The obvious one is that the Grand Cherokee 4xe trims all come with the hybrid powertrain rather than the V6 or V8 engine, but there are also some smaller things that set them apart. Most non-hybrid trims let you choose between rear-wheel drive and 4×4 and can come with either two or three rows of seating. No matter the trim level, the Grand Cherokee 4xe comes standard with 4×4 and two rows of seating. And where the non-hybrid models have normal duty suspension, the Grand Cherokee 4xe trims all have heavy-duty suspension, though some trims also offer additional air suspension, regardless of powertrain.

4xe / Limited

While the most basic hybrid trim is officially called the “4xe,” it lines up almost exactly with the non-hybrid Limited trim. This premium trim has luxury features like heated first and second-row seats and a leather-trimmed interior. One difference between the two trims is that the 4xe comes standard with a nine-speaker sound system featuring active noise cancellation, while the Limited’s standard audio system only has six speakers.

Trailhawk 4xe

Whether plug-in hybrid or not, the rough and ready Grand Cherokee Trailhawk always comes standard with 4×4 and isn’t available as a three-row model. The Trailhawk and Trailhawk 4xe both come standard with the trailer-tow package, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, a front disconnecting stabilizer bar, semi-active damping, and Quadra-Lift Air Suspension. However, there are some differences in exterior styling, mainly that the tow hooks and other accents on the Trailhawk 4xe are blue rather than red.

Overland 4xe

Like the Trailhawk 4xe, the Overland 4xe trim comes with practical features like the Quadra-Lift Air Suspension system and semi-active damping. However, the Overland 4xe comes standard with 20-inch wheels rather than the 18-inch wheels on the Trailhawk 4xe. The Overland also has some standard features that are more for comfort and luxury, like a hands-free power liftgate and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

Summit 4xe & Summit Reserve 4xe

The two top tiers pull out all the stops when it comes to style and luxury. The Summit 4xe introduces an exclusive black-painted roof and comes standard with 12-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with built-in back massagers. One difference for the hybrid is that the Summit 4xe comes standard with a 19-speaker audio setup rather than the nine-speaker system in the non-hybrid.

The upgrade to Summit Reserve 4xe throws in Palermo leather seats and an extra touchscreen for the front passenger, and the 19-speaker sound system is found on both hybrid and non-hybrid versions. The Summit Reserve 4xe also features trim-exclusive 21-inch wheels. And while the Summit 4xe comes standard with ventilated front seats, the Summit Reserve 4xe has ventilated rear seats as well.

Is It Worth the Price?

Price is another thing that sets the Grand Cherokee 4xe apart from the standard Grand Cherokee. For example, the MSRP of the Trailhawk starts at $54,630, while the Trailhawk 4xe starts at $64,055.[a] That $9,425 difference may seem startling at first glance, but there are a few things to consider. For one, the Grand Cherokee 4xe has all of the extra advantages we’ve discussed, like more horsepower, different driving modes, and other features depending on the trim level. Plus, a good chunk of the price difference is offset by an available $7,500 federal tax credit that you’ll be eligible for by purchasing a plug-in hybrid. On top of that, you will also save money over time because the Grand Cherokee 4xe won’t burn as much gasoline.

Is the Grand Cherokee 4xe Right for You?

No two drivers are alike, so whether or not to spring for the Grand Cherokee 4xe really comes down to personal preference and how you’ll be using your SUV. The all-electric mode may have limited range, but it can come in handy if you’ll be using your SUV to take short trips around town or if you want a way to quietly exit a shared campground while others are asleep. The extra horsepower and torque can also be helpful for off-road adventures, although the lower towing capacity may be a dealbreaker for those who like to bring a trailer along. Whatever your needs may be, our expert staff members are on hand to answer all of your questions and help get you behind the wheel of your dream vehicle.

^[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.