Jeep says its new plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee is its most capable to date.
The plug-in – dubbed the Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe – uses just 3.2L/100km according to official fuel tests and can run on electricity alone for a claimed 52km.
That electric range claim, however, is optimistic.
The 4xe produces some pretty handy power and torque numbers, too. When running in tandem, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors produce a sizeable 280kW and 637Nm.
The use of electric motors boosts the Jeep’s already formidable off-road pedigree, as their instant torque allows for expert rock hopping and rut crawling.
This new version of the Grand Cherokee has gone up-market with plush interiors, seating for five and butch styling with loads of bling.
This all sounds very appealing until it’s time to settle the bill.
At about $140,000 drive-away the 4xe is likely to frighten off long-time fans of the brand.
It costs about $35,000 more than the most expensive five-seat petrol version and about $10,000 more than the most expensive seven-seat model.
There is plenty of standard gear to compensate, though.
The quilted leather front seats have a massaging function as well as heating and cooling, while the outboard rear seats also have heating and cooling.
Styling cues include huge 21-inch alloy wheels, platinum chrome exterior highlights, a contrasting black roof and LED lighting front and back.
A heated leather-wrapped steering wheel is good for winter mornings, while ambient lighting and a digital rear-view mirror are classy inclusions.
The interior feels like a comfy lounge room with quality soft-touch materials broken up by real wood inserts in the dash and doors.
The 10.1-inch central touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while there’s also a fully digital driver display and a booming 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.
You’ll need to pony up an extra $5500 for an advanced tech pack that includes a wireless device charger, a head-up display, a 10.25-inch infotainment display for the front seat passenger and a night-vision camera.
It’s a big rig and there is ample head, leg and shoulder room in both rows, as well as a panoramic sunroof that gives the cabin an airy feel.
The boot is enormous, trumping all other large SUVs. It can be accessed via a hands-free powered tailgate.
Jeep has fitted the 4xe with all the latest accident avoidance technology, as well as eight airbags covering both rows.
There are several driving modes including hybrid, electric and e-save mode. The latter can be used in two ways: it either uses just the petrol engine to drive the wheels and saves the battery for later use or it can recharge the battery using the petrol engine.
The petrol and electric motors work seamlessly together, switching between petrol and EV power smoothly and without clunks and shudders.
It has plenty of muscle and has no problem shifting the circa-2200kg of metal.
The Grand Cherokee works best as a highway cruiser, where it is quiet and composed. It can also tow up to 2722kg, which is impressive for a plug-in hybrid.
Around town its size is noticeable and it’s not nimble when driving on tight and twisting country roads.
The suspension is a bit of a mixed bag. It tends to wallow over larger divots, lean through corners and crash over smaller road imperfections.
On a brief off-road loop it handled itself admirably in EV mode, making light work of a dusty and rutted dirt track.
Air suspension can boost the vehicle’s ground clearance for more difficult tracks and a forward facing camera can spot nasty, hard to see obstacles.
Its 3.2L/100km fuel use claim is purely academic as once the battery is depleted it relies solely on the 200kW/400Nm petrol engine that now has to shift the heavy battery and electric motors.
In hybrid mode on our test we averaged about 8L/100km and when we recharged the battery in e-save mode it was using about 35L/100km.
The five-year/100,000km warranty is below par, but the capped servicing is affordable at $399 a pop or $1995 for five years.
Verdict 3/5
A comfortable family hauler that is let down by its high price and so-so on-road driving experience.
EEP GRAND CHEROKEE SUMMIT RESERVE 4xe
PRICE: About $140,000 drive-away
ENGINE: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and two electric motors, 280kW and 637Nm
WARRANTY/SERVICING: Five years/100,000km, $1995 for five years
SAFETY: Eight airbags, auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree camera, driver attention warning.
THIRST: 3.2L/100km
SPARE: Full size
LUGGAGE: 1067 litres