Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid charging

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an appealing vehicle to many because it combines splendid off-road capability with on-road comfort. Moreover, it offers plenty of luxury features, while still maintaining the rugged, outdoorsy look Jeep buyers love. It is therefore not surprising that, after the launch of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid, Jeep felt it was time to offer the new Grand Cherokee with the same turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four gasoline engine and two electric motors.  

The combination of the 4xe’s two electric motors and its turbocharged engine produces a walloping 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. That makes the 4xe second only to the V-8 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 in terms of raw power. Meanwhile, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is far more efficient than the fuel-thirsty gas engine V-8 version, providing an electric driving range of 25 miles before needing the gas engine to kick on and providing an average of 56 miles per gallon equivalent. 

Like the standard Grand Cherokee, all 4xe hybrid models come with four-wheel drive, and the base 4xe appears to be similar to the Limited 4x4. Other trims available are the off-road-oriented Trailhawk trim ($64,280) and the more luxurious Overland ($67,555), Summit ($71,515), and Summit Reserve ($76,095) configurations.

The exterior design of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe shows that hybrids can look pretty cool after all. There isn’t much difference in terms of looks between the hybrid 4xe model and the non-hybrid Grand Cherokee. However, the Trailhawk model uses cool blue accents rather than red, giving a discreet nod to the hybrid system. Generally, the Grand Cherokee 4xe design encompasses the aesthetic and feel of the vehicle: rugged yet practical, with a touch of luxury. 

On the interior, the technology features of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe will not disappoint. All Grand Cherokee 4xe’s come standard with an 8.4-inch center touchscreen, which can be upgraded to a 10.1-inch version. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models, and additional options include a 10.0-inch head-up display, a 10.3-inch front passenger display, and a rear-seat entertainment system with two 10.1-inch touchscreens and Amazon Fire TV compatibility.

The Jeep Cherokee 4xe has a 17.3-kWh battery pack positioned under the rear seat. Jeep states that the vehicle uses about 15 kWh of that stored energy.

The 4xe’s relatively fast onboard 7.4-kWcharger means the pack can be charged from empty to full in about 2.5 hours. To achieve that charging speed, electric vehicle drivers should install a capable 32-amp charging station such as the JuiceBox 32. Using the JuiceBox 32 with a 240-volt supply of home energy is much faster than Jeep’s Level 1 charging cord, which requires 12 hours for a full charge via a 120-volt trickle charge.

The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 56 MPGe when there’s battery charge. The total driving range on both electricity and gasoline is 470 miles. A Max Regen feature increases the battery’s ability to recharge while coasting and provides a one-pedal electric vehicle feel.

The key to achieving sustained 56 MPGe efficiency is to charge throughout the day. In other words, multiple daily charging sessions extend the vehicle’s all-electric range beyond those 25 miles of range on a single charge. With the JuiceBox32, 4xe owners can add about 10 miles of range for every hour that it’s plugged in.

The vehicle comes standard with a connected “My eCharge feature.” This allows drivers to find the location of public charging stations, start the charging process, and pay for the electrons.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe does not have quick charging, since it is unnecessary for a plug-in hybrid with a 17.3-kWh battery pack that drivers can top-up in two and a half hours.

Jeep created a dedicated 4xe Charging Network consisting of solar-powered public Level 2 charging stations positioned at off-road trailheads throughout the United States. The locations include the Rubicon Trail and Big Bear in California and Moab, Utah. The 20-plus-mile electric range allows 4xe drivers to traverse the entire Rubicon Trail in silent, zero-emission mode.