2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Blending New and Old

Earlier this year, we introduced you to the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Jeep promised that the five-seat Grand Cherokee sharing the L’s new platform was soon to come.

And now it’s here. Imagine that. Funny how that works.

This marks the fifth generation of Grand Cherokee. Not only is the platform and the exterior styling new, so too is the addition of a plug-in hybrid. The interior is also completely redone.

There will, of course, be a Trailhawk version for off-roaders.

Speaking of off-roading, there are three four-wheel-drive systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II.

An available air suspension will have electronic semi-active damping. Jeep promises a max ground clearance of 11.3 inches and up to 24 inches of water fording. There’s also an available sway bar disconnect.

Towing capacity is up to 7,200 pounds with the available 5.7-liter V8.

Unsurprisingly, the Grand Cherokee gets Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Screens abound: A 10.1-inch infotainment screen, available 10.25-inch for the driver, and available 10.1-inch screens with Amazon Fire TV for the kiddos in the rear.

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models promise up to 25 miles of all-electric range, a 57 MPGe number, and a range of up to 440 miles. That goes along with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. 4xe models will get the Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system with a two-speed transfer case and 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. The crawl ratio is 47.4:1, and the towing capacity for the 4xe is 6,000 pounds.

The 4xe system combines two electric motors and a 2.0-liter turbo-four, along with a 400-volt battery pack and an eight-speed automatic transmission. You’ll be able to get the 4xe on Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims.

Gas engines on hand include the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, making 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque and offering a towing capacity of 6,200 lbs.

Those who desire more grunt can snag the 5.7-liter V8, with its 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both gas engines mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Four-wheel-drive Grand Cherokees now get a front-axle disconnect — when the vehicle senses it doesn’t need to be using four-wheel drive, the front axle disconnects, and the vehicles shifts to two-wheel drive in order to reduce driveline drag and increase fuel economy.

The unibody Grand Cherokee will come in these trims: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Trailhawk, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The V6 is standard across the board, with the V8 available on Overland, Trailhawk, Summit, and Summit Reserve.

The exterior changes but keeps Jeep’s seven-slot grille. Active grille shutters are part of a series of aero bits meant to help with fuel economy, and a gloss-black roof is available.

This new Grand Cherokee gets a wider track than before (1.4 inches wider), and wheel-size options up to 21-inches.

Other interior changes not previously mentioned include the availability of ambient lighting and customizable LED lighting with day/night settings. Storage space is increased and a wireless phone charger is available.

There’s the usual suite of driver-aid and safety tech, but Jeep has also added some new wrinkles such as night vision, drowsy driver detection, and an available automated-driving system that requires one to have hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Other available features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital rearview mirror, head-up display, navigation, and Wi-Fi hotspot.

Jeep’s next Grand Cherokee will be built at Detroit’s new Mack Plant and go on sale in the fourth quarter, with the 4xe following early in 2022.

[Images: Jeep]