Jeep Rounds Out 2022 Grand Cherokee Lineup With 2-Row And Plug-In Hybrid

Last spring, Jeep kicked off a busy year of product launches with the debut of the first (sort-of if you don’t count the 2005-2010 Commander) three-row version of the Grand Cherokee L. That was followed by the new full-size Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Now Jeep is finishing up the Grand Cherokee lineup with the standard two-row variant. In addition to a five seat configuration, the two-row model also adds a plug-in hybrid 4XE powertrain option. 

From the B-pillar forward, the two-row Grand Cherokee is identical to the longer L model. That means it gets the new Jeep grille design language with a shorter, forward leaning interpretation of the seven-slot face. The new look is consistent with the larger Wagoneers looks a bit more sophisticated than before.  The Grand Cherokee is being offered in 5 trim levels, Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland and Summit.

From the B-pillar back, without the need to accomodate the extra row of passengers, this one restores the Grand Cherokee’s more forward leaning D-pillar that gives it a sportier appearance. It’s a good balance that clearly sets this one apart from the L. 

Inside, the two-row also carries over the look of the L including the availability of lots and lots of screens. In the first row, the driver gets a standard 10.25 digital instrument cluster. An 8.4-inch center touchscreen with the Android Automotive-based Uconnect 5 infotainment system is standard for the Laredo and Limited trims. The Trailhawk and Overland trims add navigation to the 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 while the top Summit model gets a 10.1-inch screen. All but the base Laredo offer the larger screen as part of option packages. 

Like the L and the Wagoneers a 10.25-inch passenger-side touchscreen is part of a package with the premium 19-speaker McIntosh audio system on the Summit Reserve. A rear seat entertainment system with a pair of 10.1-inch touchscreens is available in the second row. As in other new Jeeps, HDMI and USB ports are also readily available to everyone. 

Under the hood, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 carry over largely unchanged and paired with the excellent ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. New to the Grand Cherokee for 2022 is the addition of the 4XE plug-in hybrid powertrain that debuted earlier this year on the Wrangler. It uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 48V mild hybrid capability for enhanced automatic stop start thanks to the 44-hp belted starter generator on the 270-hp engine. 

In between the engine and transmission, is the same 134-hp electric motor found in the Wrangler. Also carried over from the Wrangler 4XE is the 17-kWh lithium ion battery pack. Final EPA certification of the Grand Cherokee 4XE hasn’t been completed but Jeep is targeting 25 miles of electric driving range, slightly better than the 21 miles on the Wrangler. Jeep has already completed runs of the 22-mile Rubicon trail entirely on electric power so it is confident that the 25 mile range will be achieved this time. Like the Wrangler, the Grand Cherokee 4XE has three operational modes, hybrid, electric and eSave which runs the engine and maintains the battery charge so it can be used later, either on the trail or around town.

Like the Wrangler Rubicon, 4XE, the plug-in Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is set apart from the gas-only version by swapping red tow hooks and other accents for blue versions. The 4XE option is available on all but the base Laredo trim. Like the L and Wagoneers, three different four-wheel-drive systems are offered. Laredo and Limited get Quadra-Trac II full-time single-range 4WD. Overland is standard with Quadra-Trac II active with a two-speed transfer case. The Trailhawk and Summit get the Quadra-Drive II which adds and electronically locking limited slip differential on the rear axle.

All of the same driver assist features found on the L including the lane centering active driving assist are also carried over to the two-row Grand Cherokee. Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay support and the digital rearview mirror are also included. Production of the V6 and V8 two-row Grand Cherokee began at the Mack Plant in Detroit in September and barring more chip supply disruptions, they should be arriving at dealers in the coming weeks. The 4XE arrives early in 2022.