Driving Impressions: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

Had Daimler continued to own Chrysler, this is how one might have expected the Jeep Grand Cherokee to have evolved. It's Mercedes-elegant inside and out. Though the separation actually occurred a decade and a half ago, the German manufacturer's influence does persist: the Chrysler 300 and its Dodge siblings are direct descendants of the Mercedes E-Class. And there are other influences throughout the line.

Just the same, Stuttgart cannot be credited with this latest iteration. The Grand Cherokee has been thoroughly restyled. The new treatment was previewed last year as an extended wheelbase 3 row version of the Jeep classic. The makeover has now been applied to the flagship model which has accounted for in excess of 200,000-unit sales annually for the past six model years.

 The new Grand Cherokee has grown nearly 4' in length; its wheelbase has increased 2'.  Roof height has been increased by 1.6' to accommodate taller door windows. There is a rearward slope to the roof and the rear window is about an inch shorter.

Retained are the front and rear fender flares and the classic 7-slot grill though the latter is more vertically oriented than previously. Leading up to the slit headlamps is sheet metal which is now concave rather than convex as in the past. The test model has the unique highlight of an (optional) contrasting gloss black roof and being a hybrid, has an electric blue finish accenting the raised Jeep logo on the front and coloring the paired tow hooks. And, of course, there is a blue

e

identifying the charge port.

And there's joy on the inside as well: soft surfaces cover dash, steering wheel, armrests, door tops and more. Nappa leather* abounds; wood patterned and satin accents are attractive and well placed. There is hard plastic on the console sides and beneath arm rests, but the wells are wide enough that knee contact is rare. Similarly front and rear seating is generous in width and height.

In the back passengers are treated to dual climate controls* with vents coming from the B-pillars, the console rear, and the area beneath the front seats. More comfort comes from rear seat heaters as well as window shades,

Driver and front passenger are coddled with 12-way adjustable seats with a switch activated massage system* and the controls of a state-of-the-art McIntosh 19 speaker stereo system***. Visual inputs include a head-up display**, surround view camera***, rear view mirror camera** and a multi-programmable instrument pod. The 10.1-inch touchscreen*** in the dashboard center is bordered by a separate passenger monitor*** with its own HDMI input.

Jeeps are well-known solid off-road performers and during this test, the Grand Cherokee was not subjected to extreme rigors. The big news is the model's plug-in hybrid option. To get it out of the way: by my best calculations the capability adds a roughly $9000 premium to similarly equipped models without e capability. If you are eligible for the $7500 tax credit and much of your travel is local, by my imprecise estimate, you'll have recaptured the delta in dollars after roughly 10,000 miles (cost of gas and electric charging can be highly variable).

The e model substitutes a turbocharged 270 horsepower two liter inline four for the base 293 horsepower V6. It then adds a 44 hp front-mounted motor which helps activate such things as a/c and the starter. Between the engine and the 8-speed transmission is a pancake motor for pure electric or augmented drive. It boasts 134 horsepower. (Obviously the horses are not absolutely additive.)

Once you've unplugged the 24-foot charge cord, there are three major options controlled by buttons to the driver's left: hybrid, all electric and all gas. Further mileage modification can be effected with a button on the top of the center dash adjusting the impact of regenerative braking. Tested, there was more than 25 miles of all electric range (rolling terrain and a light foot).

A revved-up brake release (remember two engines run through the transmission) allowed the ipad to record an unapologetic 0-60 time in the mid 6's. Sudden acceleration (all modes) at very low speeds was met with hesitation but response was much quicker when initiated above 30 mph.

The Grand Cherokee's ride was composed, and I found little body lean during normal driving. Contributing to this is a lower center of gravity from divided and flattened low battery packs. (Incidentally there was 4.5 inches of ride height adjustment.) I did find the steering a bit heavy on initiation but emphasize that this is a matter of taste.

Stellantis touts its new Active Driving system*** but I found it little different from many other adaptive cruise control and lane keep systems. I suspect it is just an adjunct to its eagerly anticipated hands free system said to be quite similar to Cadillac's outstanding Super Cruise. (Driving Impressions: 2021 Escalade 4wd Sport Platinum | Conceptcarz.com)

I admit to range apprehension ruling out any total electric for my needs. If you share the same fear and need off road performance, luxury, and room for five and if your daily driving involves short hops, this may be the Jeep for you.

* Included in Luxury Tech Group IV

** Included in Advance Protech Group III

*** Optional

incl napa leather seat, 12 way front seats 19 spkr stereo, 10.1 touch screen

Photo credit: Mark Moskowitz MD

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