In September 2021, Jeep debuted the 2022 Grand Cherokee, which happens to be the fifth-gen of the long-running SUV. It marks the introduction of a whole lot of things. The 2022 Grand Cherokee rides on a new platform, comes with exterior and interior upgrades, and features a lot of new off-road tech as well. However, there was something else that stole all the limelight – the 4xe model. Jeep launched the mid-size SUV with a hybrid engine, too, which will be sold as the Grand Cherokee 4xe. This makes it the second 4xe model in the company’s lineup after the Wrangler 4xe.

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe – Exterior, Dimensions, and Angles

The 2022 Grand Cherokee comes with many exterior changes when compared to its predecessor. The 4xe further benefits from exclusive changes. The 4xe’s changes are rather subtle, like blue tow hooks, the ‘4xe’ badges, and similar blue treatments on the body. The Grand Cherokee has been quite a looker in my books, and the fifth-gen model is no exception.

The 4xe model, as stated earlier, isn’t very different from the standard Grand Cherokee. There’s the signature seven-slat grille up front along with the ‘Jeep’ branding on the lip of the hood. The curves and creases on the body aren’t overdone and add enough character overall to make a sculptor wet his pants.

The SUV is underpinned on a new platform that we’ve only seen on the Grand Cherokee L so far.} The latter makes use of an extended version of the same. So, going by this, we can expect a 4xe Grand Cherokee L as well in the future. Anyway, I digress.

As for the dimensions, the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe is 193.5 inches long, 84.6 inches wide, and has a 116.7 inches long wheelbase. Jeep has lowered the roof by 0.4 inches and widened the tracks by 1.4 inches to improve its handling. The maximum towing capacity is rated at 6,000 pounds.

The off-road cred numbers for the 4xe aren’t provided specifically, but we do have the standard model’s figures. With the standard suspension in place, the SUV has an approach angle of 20.5 degrees, a breakover angle of 19.1 degrees, and a departure angle of 26.6 degrees. With the air suspension, it differs on every trim. The Trailhawk has the best angles that the Grand Cherokee has to offer. The approach angle here is rated at 35.7 degrees, breakover angle at 24.4 degrees, and departure angle at 30.2 degrees.

The company has even made some efforts to make it aerodynamically efficient. This includes the incorporation of new active grille shutters, aero flick on the hood, front-wheel spats, vertical spoilers on the rear pillar, and air curtains. Depending on the trim, you get either 18-, 20-, or 21-inch wheels. The other features include stuff like a power liftgate, LED headlights and fog lamps, and roof rack, to name a few.

How Many Trims Will It Be Offered In?

The ‘4xe’ isn’t just a name for the hybrid trim. The Grand Cherokee 4xe will be available in multiple trims. It isn’t as widespread as the standard model, but you can have the Grand Cherokee 4xe in Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, and Summit trims. When compared to the non-4xe model, you miss out on the base Laredo, Altitude, and Summit Reserve trims. This shows you that the Grand Cherokee 4xe is positioned slightly above the standard model. For now, the SRT and Trackhawk trims aren’t offered either. Although they will certainly make the cut in the standard Grand Cherokee sooner or later, we’ll have to wait and watch if Jeep will introduce them on the 4xe or not.

Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk

The Grand Cherokee 4xe gets a Trailhawk version as well. It includes stuff like:

- Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system with two-speed transfer case and 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio - Rear electronic limited-slip differential- Selec-Terrain traction management system and Selec-Speed Control - 47.4:1 crawl ratio- 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability - Blue tow hooks - Blue-accented 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires - Glare-proof black-and-blue matte “Trailhawk” hood decal

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe – Interior, Dimensions, and Technology

The cabin looks to be a happy place to be in. Jeep has redesigned it and it feels quite fresh. You get new switches, slimmer HVAC vents, and more storage spaces all around. There are a lot of features here that make the SUV feel premium. There’s 39.9 inches of headroom, 41.3 inches of legroom, 59.2 inches of shoulder room, and 57.4 inches of hip room in the first row. Step in the rear seats and you’ll have 39.4 inches of headroom, 38.2 inches of legroom, 58 inches of shoulder room, and 56. 3 inches of hip room of space available at your disposal. With all the seats in place, you have 37.7 cubic feet of space at your disposal. Fold the second row and the space increases to 70.8 cubic feet.

Some niceties in the cabin include:

- 16-way adjustable front seats with massage function- Heated and vented seats- Dual-zone climate control- Wireless charging- Ambient lighting

On the tech front, you get a 10.1-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. A 10.1-inch touchscreen graces the center console. It is powered by the UConnect 5 system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a 4G hot-spot that can connect up to eight devices.

Apart from this, you can also opt for a 10.25-inch interactive display for the front passenger. There’s a rear-seat entertainment system as well with FireTV built-in. A 10-inch head-up display can also be had for extra moolah. Taking things up the notch is Fire TV that allows you to play videos, games, and listen to music. This works for the rear-seat entertainment and even allows passengers seated at the back to control climate, see the destination ETA, etc. by connecting with the UConnect 5 system. And, for you audiophiles, there’s a new McIntosh 950W, 17-channel 19-speaker setup also available.

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe – Drivetrain and Battery

The highlight of the 4xe is, of course, the hybrid engine. Power is routed to the wheels via an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic gearbox.

The motors draw power from a 400-volt, 17 kWh battery pack. Jeep is targeting an all-electric range of 25 miles and an estimated economy of 57 MPGe. You can expect a maximum range of 440 miles with a tankful of gas and a fully charged battery.

You’ll have an option to choose from three drive modes here – Hybrid, Electric, and eSave. The ‘Hybrid’ option will give you the best mix of the motor and the gas engine. The ‘Electric’ mode will run the SUV on motors and batteries only. The engine will come into play only when the battery is low or there is a need for more torque. When you engage the ‘eSave’ mode, the SUV will run on the engine primarily and preserve the battery for later use.

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe – Drive Systems and Suspension Setup

To up the ante in the off-road cred aspect, Jeep will offer the Grand Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee 4xe with three four-wheel-drive systems. They are the Quadra-Trac I, the next one is Quadra-Trac II, and the most hardcore option is Quadra-Drive II.

The Quadra-Trac I is the most novice system of the lot; but, that doesn’t mean it’s incapable. It features a single-speed active transfer case and a set of sensors that help adjust the torque distribution and make corrections in case of a tire slip. Jeep noted that the system is capable of sending 100-percent of torque to the axle where it’s needed the most.

Next-in-line is the Quadra-Trac II setup. Here you get a two-speed active transfer case with low-range gear. Jeep has thrown in an active 4-Low torque control with 2.72:1 gear ratio in the mix. If you’re looking for anything more than mild off-roading, then you should opt for at least this setup.

If you are going to take your Grand Cherokee off the roads and on beaten paths often, then you need to opt for the Quadra-Drive II system, which is essentially the Quadra-Drive II system with a rear electronic limited-slip differential.

Furthermore, all three systems feature a front-axle disconnect wherein the SUV turns into a rear-wheel-drive vehicle if the system thinks there’s no need for the front axle to stay engaged. You’ll also get the Selec-Terrain system that offers five available terrain modes – Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe will be available with the Quadra-Lift air suspension as standard on all trims except for the ‘Limited’. This suspension setup replaces the conventional coil springs with air springs for better all-round comfort. It comes with electronic semi-active damping and offers up to 11.3 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording.

Jeep says the system has different modes, but is yet to elaborate on it. The same setup is offered on the three-row Grand Cherokee L as well, and here’s how it works:

- Normal Ride Height: The default setting wherein the Jeep sits at 8.3 inches off the ground

- Off-Road 1: Lifts the vehicle by 1.6 inches from Normal Ride Height

- Off-Road 2: Lifts the SUV by 2.4 inches from Normal Ride Height

- Aero Mode: Lowers the SUV by 0.8 from Normal Ride Height

- Park Mode: Lowers the SUV by 1.8 from Normal Ride Height

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe – Pricing

Jeep hasn’t revealed the pricing of the Grand Cherokee 4xe yet, but recently gave us the pricing of the standard Grand Cherokee. Here’s the pricing of the standard model to give you a rough idea of how the Grand Cherokee 4xe will be priced:

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Pricing

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe – Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The SUV comes with a host of driver-assistance features. Some of the standard features include:

- Active Lane Management

- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go

- Advanced Brake Assist

- Blind-spot Monitoring

- Full-Speed Collision Warning with Active Braking and Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection

- LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist

- ParkView Rear Back-up Camera

- ParkSense Rear Park Assist Sensors

- Rear Cross Path Detection

- Switch-activated Electric Park Brake

- Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Conclusion

For now, Jeep hasn’t introduced the SRT and Trackhawk trims on the standard or the 4xe Grand Cherokee. But, we could see it in the coming model years. The Grand Cherokee 4xe is expected to arrive in early 2022, but given the global chip shortage, let’s not hold our breath on it. The SUV will be built at the automaker’s Detroit Assembly Complex, Michigan.