2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk First Drive Review
Overview
With 25 miles of all-electric range and enormous off-road chops, this midsize SUV takes exploration to the next level. Jeep does not move around with the off-road prowess of its SUVs. Case in point: I’m in the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk, glancing down a vertical rock exterior, striving the hill-manageable control and 35.7-degree strategy slope are sufficient to slowly open the underside without rubbing. None should shock, the magnificent Cherokee undertakes it with comfort. And because I’m in the 4xe, it performs so solely under electric power.
Off course, the Grand Cherokee presently arrives with a plug-in combination powertrain identical to the one Jeep inaugurated in the Wrangler. Overland, Trailhawk, and Summit garnishes, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is strengthened by a 2.0-liter auto charged I4 engine plus a pair of electric motors powered by a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack. All said this layout gives 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, as well as the capacity to ride 25 miles under electric power.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
All 4xe prototypes have three ride settings: mixed Electric or leave. In the Electric method, you will not get the full impetus of the combined gas and EV propulsion systems, but the Jeep is still enough fast – more than sufficient to manage traffic on the city roads of Austin, Texas. When I blow the vehicle on the freeway, I can put the Grand Cherokee into the cave procedure to ride the gas engine efficiently in the setting and conserve my remaining electrons for medium or slow-speed trail driving.
Jeep does not move over with the off-road powers of its SUVs. Case in point: I’m in the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk, staring down a steep rock face, hoping the hill-descent control and 35.7-degree approach angle are enough to slowly clear the bottom without scraping. To no one’s surprise, the Grand Cherokee tackles it with ease. And because I’m in the 4xe, it does so purely under electric power.
Also Check: 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Review & Features
Yes, the Grand Cherokee now comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain similar to the Jeep launched in the Wrangler. Available in base, Overland, Trailhawk, and Summit trim, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine plus a pair of electric motors powered by a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack. All told, this setup offers 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, as well as the ability to drive 25 miles under electric power.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
All 4xe models have three drive settings: Hybrid, Electric or leave. In Electric mode, you don’t get the full thrust of the combined gas and EV propulsion systems, but the Jeep is still plenty quick – more than enough to keep up with traffic on the city streets of Austin, Texas. When I hit the highway, I can put the Grand Cherokee into safe mode to run the gas engine in its most efficient setting and save my remaining electrons for slow-speed trail driving.
On any kind of pavement, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is smooth. While assessing a Summit model, I can utilize Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II air suspension, which implies absorbing up hardness from the shattered pavement. In between, the Grand Cherokee’s eight-speed voluntary transmission does its duty in the background. Riding only with the gas engine, the 4xe transmit 23 mpg incorporated, but using the full strength -in a mixed system, the EPA prices this Grand Cherokee at 56 pages.
When I can’t look forward of me, I can whirl on the 360-degree camera system or just assign a front-facing view. The impression is sharp and obvious – a great benefit I get when cresting hills and I don’t understand what’s on the different side. The Trailhawk also has features Select-Speed Control, a sort of off-road tour control that can maintain a constant low velocity so drivers only have to manage steering intakes. It’s a nice way for beginners to concentrate just on finding the exact line while allowing the Jeep to take care of everything else.
