The fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV is now available to order in the UK – with four trim grades to choose from, the first models will arrive in British showrooms at the start of next year.
ace The Car Expert reported back in February, this latest iteration of the Grand Cherokee will only be available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Officially known as the ‘Grand Cherokee 4xe’, the SUV is powered by a 2.0-liter petrol engine with two electric motors, one on each axle, which produces a total power output of 380hp.
A 17kWh battery can provide up to 31 miles of electric range according to official lab tests, and all models come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Jeep says that its new SUV is designed to “deliver unmatched off-road capability”. The two electric motors provide near-instantaneous torque, and a rear-mounted limited slip differential (‘Trailhawk’ models and up) works to prevent slippage and spinouts when the engine is being strained.
When off the beaten track, the Grand Cherokee can make use of technology that can automatically shift power to the wheel with the most traction, so that the driver does not have to rely on the brakes to tackle wheel-slip. For added traction, this fifth-generation model is slightly wider than its predecessor too.
The SUV’s suspension can also raise or lower automatically on the move to match the terrain ahead. and the car has different driving settings that can be selected that optimise driving in snowy, muddy or sandy conditions. For trailer or caravan owners, the Grand Cherokee can tow up to 2,300kg.
Moving off the trail and on to the open road, Jeep promises that this new plug-in hybrid can complete a 0-62mph sprint in 6.3 seconds, made possible by a number of weight reductions across the SUV, and the car’s “aerodynamic body style ” which displays a fresh proach to Jeep’s familiar design language.
Jeep’s proach to this SUV’s interior layout and design is a first for the brand too. Besides the leather trimming and ambient lighting, Jeep has stated its upmarket intentions by fitting the dash with three separate screens. The ten-inch digital instrument cluster and ten-inch central infotainment screen come as standard, while an additional ten-inch interactive display for the front passenger is included with the top-spec ‘Summit Reserve’ trim.
The Grand Cherokee can also be specced with interactive displays for the rear passengers too, but Jeep does not specify whether this feature is part of a trim package or an optional extra.
Four different trim grades are available, starting with the lead-in ‘Limited’ model. Next in the price list is the mid-range ‘Trailhawk’, which Jeep says is designed for “uncompromised off-road capability”.
The range is topped by the ‘Summit Reserve’ model, which the manufacturer says “offers unmatched comfort”, while the slightly cheer ‘Overland’ trim is said to offer the best of both worlds.
Key trim level features
Entry level ‘Limited’ (from £69,900)
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights and tail lights
- 10-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10-inch central infotainment console with wireless Android Auto/ple CarPlay connectivity
- 4G hotspot for eight devices
- Ventilated front and rear seats that are 16-way adjustable
- Traffic sign recognition
- Additive cruise control with lane keeping assistance
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear view parking camera
Mid range ‘Trailhawk’ (from £73,900)
- All prior trim features that are not replaced
- 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires
- Electronic limited slip differential
- Front disconnect anti-roll bar
- Black roof
- Suede upholstery with blue stitching
High-spec ‘Overland’ (from £75,900)
- All prior trim features that are not replaced
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Dual exhaust system
- Panoramic sunroof
- Five color ambient lighting
- Npa leather upholstery
Range topping ‘Summit Reserve’ (from £82,900)
- All prior trim features that are not replaced
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Wooden interior accents
- 19-speaker McIntosh sound system
- 10-inch passenger display screen
- Palermo leather upholstery and door panels
In addition to the safety features the Grand Cherokee gets as standard – a list that includes traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring and lane keeping assistance – the SUV can be specced with a few optional assistance features, such as a 360-degree parking camera which is available with night vision for pedestrian and animal detection when it is dark.
The Car Expert reported in February that the price list for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee was expected to start at around the £50k mark, challenging plug-in hybrid versions of such rivals as the BMW X3 and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
Instead, Jeep has decided to price the SUV at £70k, in the same price range as PHEV versions of the Land Rover Defender 110 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. UK buyers can now order from the new range, which is manufactured in Detroit, USA.
