The Jeep "All-New Grand Cherokee 4xe" is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, featuring both an internal combustion engine and a battery. This is the first time PHEV technology has been applied to the midsize sport utility vehicle (SUV) Grand Cherokee. It is regarded as a representative model of Jeep's electrification strategy, alongside the "Wrangler 4xe" and "Avenger."
The vehicle tested is the "Summit Reserve" model, the higher trim of the Grand Cherokee 4xe. The body is muscular, yet the inclusion of delicate design elements gives it a sleek and elegant impression. The interior space is spacious and appears more luxurious than other Jeep vehicles, which feel a bit rugged.
The vehicle's overall length is 4,900 mm, making it 95 mm shorter than the Hyundai Palisade and 40 mm shorter than the Genesis GV80. Its width is 1,980 mm, height is 1,790 mm, and wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheel centers) is 2,695 mm. As a PHEV model, it is equipped with a battery, resulting in a hefty curb weight of 2,555 kg.
The front features seven rectangular (seven-slot) grilles arranged side by side, complemented by sleekly designed headlamps, emphasized by blue Jeep lettering that highlights its eco-friendly model status. The angular lines on the sides and rear, along with the sloping roofline towards the back, create a balanced and robust image.
The interior space is spacious in both the first and second rows of seats. Particularly, the interior design moves away from the rugged off-roader image that symbolizes Jeep. The brown leather seats provide a plush seating experience, making it feel more like being in a large sedan. The trunk capacity ranges from 490 to 2,390 liters (L), which seems sufficient for various leisure activities like traveling with children, camping, fishing, or skiing.
The 10.25-inch digital cluster and various infotainment systems were easy to operate and functionally satisfying. However, the Macintosh sound system did not meet expectations. Macintosh is a prestigious audio brand known among music enthusiasts. Due to its specialization in bass, sound quality varied by music genre, and the vibrations around the speakers were distracting.
Starting the engine emits a rough noise and vibration that are not typical for a PHEV vehicle. However, once driving begins, noise is not significantly bothersome except when climbing inclines. The stability and comfort of the ride become prominent at high speeds, impressively moving smoothly despite its massive size.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe is equipped with a 2.0L gasoline turbo engine that delivers 272 horsepower and 40.8 kg·m of torque, along with two electric motors that can produce up to 375 horsepower. It can travel approximately 33 km on electric power alone. The vehicle's official fuel efficiency is rated at 12.0 km/L (gasoline and electric combined), with individual efficiencies of 8.8 km/L and 2.3 km/kWh.
More than 110 safety and convenience features are included. Standard equipment includes advanced driving assistance functions such as adaptive cruise control (which adjusts speed while maintaining distance from the car in front), pedestrian detection emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Summit Reserve trim adds parking and exit assistance, traffic sign recognition, drowsiness detection, and night vision (detecting people and animals), though the sensors were somewhat sensitive, leading to frequent warning sounds during driving.
The selling price, without discounts or other incentives, is somewhat burdensome. The prices for the Grand Cherokee 4xe in South Korea range by trim, with the Limited costing 94.4 million won and the Summit Reserve at 111.9 million won. In November of last year, a limited offer for 75 units included financial benefits of up to 24.36 million won, allowing purchases of the Limited and Summit Reserve for approximately 70 million and 80 million won, respectively.