Performance and Efficiency Balance Out In The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

These days it seems like no vehicles are safe from the wave of electrification that’s swept the industry as of late. That’s a good thing, don’t get us wrong, but for drivers who still picture a sleek and silent Prius when they think “electric vehicle,” this new breed of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) can cause a little whiplash. From off-road trucks to sports cars, all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids have crept into every corner of the automotive market, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe continues the trend.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe combines the fun and performance that’s long made the brand so popular with a new emphasis on efficiency. The result is an adventurous, go-anywhere SUV that’s just as kind to the planet as it is to driver’s wallets. Electrification isn’t a drawback when it comes to the 4xe; in fact, it actually may turn out to be its greatest asset. As your Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe dealer, we’re excited to take a closer look and see how the 4xe is here to prove once and for all that performance doesn’t have to come at the cost of efficiency.

Electric Advantages

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offers a well-rounded hybrid powertrain that allows the full-size SUV to achieve 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) without sacrificing performance. At the heart of the Grand Cherokee 4xe is a 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged engine that produces a robust 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. That would be more than enough to satisfy most drivers, but it gets in even better when you factor in the twin electric motors running off a 17-kWh battery, which gives the SUV an all-electric range of 25 miles. This is more than enough range for a typical day of driving around town, but what about when it comes to long road trips? When operating in hybrid mode, the 4xe boasts a combined range of 470 miles, making it a more practical option for drivers who typically put a lot of mileage on the odometer.

But the most surprising aspect of the Grand Cherokee 4xe might just be its impressive acceleration. The full-size SUV is refreshingly peppy, tearing from zero to 60 in six seconds flat. This number might not seem that significant until you factor in the Jeep’s weight. Thanks to the hybrid’s lithium-ion battery, the Grand Cherokee 4xe weighs some 900 pounds more than the gas-powered Grand Cherokee Limited with its V6 engine and 4WD, making a six-second sprint time all the more impressive. Jeep has engineered around this weight issue well, giving the Grand Cherokee 4xe a responsive, sporty ride despite its heft, and those looking for an even smoother ride can even opt for the available air suspension.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe also features three distinct E-Selec driving modes, which allow owners to choose what sort of driving experience they’d like every time they step into the vehicle. Hybrid Mode is the Jeep’s default setting, combining the turbocharged engine with the twin electric motors to produce as much horsepower, torque, and acceleration as possible. In Electric Mode, the gas-powered engine is cut out of the equation, resulting in a smooth, nearly-silent ride powered by nothing more than the 17-kWh battery in the SUV’s base.

Lastly, eSave Mode allows the 2.0-liter engine to do the brunt of the work, only allowing the electric motors to kick in when power demands are especially low. Within the eSave Mode itself, there are actually two different options: Battery Save and Battery Charge modes. When Battery Save is activated, the Jeep will operate in all-gas mode, but in Battery Charge mode, the gas engine will actively charge the battery as you navigate the road ahead.

Those seeking to extend the Jeep’s range even further will appreciate the inclusion of regenerative braking. While these systems are generally par for the course when it comes to electric vehicles, Jeep has taken an aggressive approach with its own offering. With normal regenerative braking, the Jeep’s electric motors capture excess torque from the rotating wheels, spinning the motors in reverse and feeding that power directly into the battery. In Max Regen mode, the system kicks it up a notch, increasing the resistance from the electric motors and recapturing even more power. These regenerative braking systems have the pleasant side-effect of slowing down the vehicle due to the increased resistance from the motors, which reduces wear and tear on the brakes themselves.

Tops On Torque

As a brand, Jeep has long been associated with the concept of off-road adventure and reliable performance. After all, there’s a reason that the word “Jeep” has almost become a generic stand-in for the rugged vehicles used by armed forces the world over. With the exception of some smaller models, the Jeep lineup is designed for life on the trail with the high clearance, four-wheel drive, and customization options that are essential for off-road success. While many drivers might still have an unconscious bias against electric vehicles and assume that they’re not cut out for the off-road lifestyle, they couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, one of the areas where electric vehicles like the Grand Cherokee 4xe excel just so happens to be one of the most important attributes for any off-road rig: torque.

Horsepower might get all the headlines, but when it comes to successfully navigating challenging off-road terrain, torque is the name of the game. For those in need of a quick refresher: horsepower determines how fast a vehicle can travel, while torque describes how fast a vehicle can reach a certain speed. While it’s not the same thing as acceleration, it’s closely related and one of the most important metrics to keep track of when comparing off-road vehicles. Simply put: torque helps you get the wheels rolling from a complete stop, which can be very handy when you’re navigating mud, sand, steep rock faces, or other hazards common to off-road driving.

The type of torque that’s most useful for off-roading is known as low-end torque, which is the amount of torque a vehicle can produce at low RPMs (say, between 2,000 and 3,000 RPMs). This low-end torque allows a vehicle to navigate uneven terrain without overexerting itself, giving drivers the ability to maintain their momentum without relying on sheer speed. Low-end torque also aids in control, giving drivers greater command of their vehicle in the type of white-knuckle conditions off-roaders can often find themselves facing.

So how does the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe stack up? With 470 lb-ft of torque, the SUV has more than enough low-end power to conquer even the toughest conditions. This would be impressive regardless of the Jeep’s powertrain, but thanks to its hybrid construction, the news gets even better. Thanks to the use of electric motors, electric and hybrid electric vehicles are able to generate instant torque. This is due to the fact that electric motors spring to life the moment you step on the pedal, unlike gas-powered engines, which need to get dozens of parts moving in order to produce the same results.

Remember how we said low-end torque between 2,000 and 3,000 was especially important for off-road vehicles? Well, with two electric motors and a 17-kWh battery in the mix, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe can produce 470 lb-ft of torque at zero RPMs. That means that as soon as you step on the gas, you instantly have all 470 lb-ft on hand to help propel the SUV over whatever obstacles you might encounter.

Towing and Off-Road Trims

The Jeep’s considerable torque also comes in handy as far as towing and hauling are concerned. There are few factors more important in moving a heavy load than torque, and with a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, the Grand Cherokee 4xe punches above its weight when it comes time to tow. While it might not be up for some of the larger jobs out there, it’s still a standout in the PHEV segment, coming in second only to the Porsche’s Cayenne E-Hybrid with a towing capacity of 7,200 pounds.

The 4xe PHEV will be offered in four trims: Limited, Overland, Trailhawk, and Summit. These upper-end trims do come with a higher starting price but are outfitted with all sorts of rugged components that allow the SUV to truly excel in off-road conditions. Regardless of which trim you choose, all versions of the Grand Cherokee come standard with a 1.1-inch skid plate designed to keep the plug-in hybrid’s lithium-ion battery safe from any bumps and bruises out on the trail.

One of the most off-road-ready trims on offer, the Trailhawk version of the 4xe model comes complete with all-terrain tires, additional skid plates, tow hooks, anti-roll bars, and an electronic-locking rear differential. The locking rear differential, in particular, is a thoughtful inclusion that goes a long way in upping the Jeep’s off-road credentials, but why is it so important? Locking differentials are essential in improving traction and ensuring all four wheels are able to transfer their power to the road. In a vehicle with non-locking “open” differentials, the torque from the engine is automatically going to follow the path of least resistance, which means being transferred into the wheel with the least traction. Locking differentials prevent this sort of thing from happening, locking the axles together and guaranteeing that all the power you generate gets translated into acceleration instead of wheelspin.

The Trailhawk 4xe also features Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system. Designed to perform in challenging road conditions of all types, the unique Quadra-Drive II system includes rear electronic limited slip differential, Selec-Terrain traction control, and Quadra-Lift air suspension, which goes a long way in smoothing out some of those rough off-road trails. The Quadra-Lift can be adjusted depending on the type of terrain you’re facing, allowing drivers to raise the SUV’s height to clear off-road obstacles or lower it for improved handling and fuel efficiency.

The best news? No matter which 4xe model you opt for, all drivers qualify for a $7,500 Federal EV tax credit. Jeep has also sweetened the pot with a slate of attractive lease offers, meaning the monthly payment on the 4xe is lower than any gas-powered version of the Grand Cherokee.

Proving Performance and Efficiency Can Go Together

With the Grand Cherokee 4xe, Jeep is here to prove that performance and fuel efficiency aren’t mutually exclusive. While some drivers might still have a bias against electric vehicles, brands like Jeep are hard at work allying those concerns while rising gas prices are making these vehicles a more attractive option with every passing day. The automaker has managed to stay true to its off-road roots while integrating some of the environmentally-friendly electric vehicle technology that could well represent the auto world’s future.

With a powerful hybrid powertrain, ample horsepower, and more instant torque than you’ll know what to do with, the 4xe is a case study of the advantages of electric vehicles for off-road performance. We could spend all day going over the myriad benefits offered by the innovative SUV, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing like experiencing the PHEV for yourself.