Are you a member of the Jeep family? If so, you know the camaraderie that Jeep drivers share in what’s known as the Jeep wave, an action that unites drivers from coast to coast with a shared sense of adventure and passion for Jeep’s legendary capability. This adventurous spirit and capability are the heart and soul of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, continuing the model’s reign as the most awarded SUV ever made. Fully redesigned for 2022, the Grand Cherokee maintains its legendary status and delivers a brighter and greener future with cutting-edge technology and jaw-dropping capability that ready it for every adventure imaginable. Here’s a closer look at the features you won’t want to miss on the 2022 Grand Cherokee lineup.
Hybrid Status: Unlocked
The growing popularity of electric vehicles is pushing Jeep to deliver more efficient and more capable vehicles that are also better for the environment. This is the inspiration behind the first-ever Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The 4xe embodies Jeep’s commitment to “Zero Emission Freedom,” making it better for the environment where the Grand Cherokee thrives; it’s the Grand Cherokee of the future.
While hybrids are known for their efficiency, they aren’t typically a top choice for drivers venturing off-road. Jeep is changing that with the 4xe. This model is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, twin electric motors, a 400-volt battery pack, and a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission to deliver 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of near-instant torque. The 4xe is insanely capable whether you’re navigating your daily commute or crawling boulders on the trail.
Jeep extends the 4xe’s capability by giving you more control with three driver-selectable modes (Electric, eSave, and Hybrid) that allow you to prioritize gas, electric, or hybrid power based on the demands of the terrain. These systems, along with the innovative powertrain layout, internal heating and cooling units to optimize performance, and seamless start-stop operation, are responsible for the 4xe’s estimated 25-mile electric range and 57 MPGe efficiency. But what does this mean for the SUV’s capability off the pavement?
Equipped with Jeep’s legendary Quadra Trac II 4×4 system, the 4xe offers a lower gear ratio that delivers better performance whether you’re on the trail or towing a 6,000-pound load. When you opt for the 4xe Trailhawk, Jeep adds an electronic limited-slip rear differential, the Selec-Terrain traction management system, Selec-Speed Control, and all-terrain tires that boost the 4xe’s capability on the trail. What’s truly remarkable is that the hybrid powertrain means that you can switch to electric mode and, without losing any capability, replace the roar of the engine with the call of the wilderness around you for an immersive driving experience.
Next-Level Capability
The Willys Jeep that debuted at the dawn of World War II laid the foundation of Jeep’s reputation for delivering insanely capable vehicles. After the war, civilians got to experience that capability firsthand, ultimately putting Jeep at the helm of 4×4 innovation across the industry. This reputation continues with the 2022 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, a luxury SUV that can satisfy any driver’s need for adventure.
The Trailhawk rolls off the production line ready for the trail. Sitting on 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, the Trailhawk delivers the best traction, ground clearance (11.3 inches), water fording capability (24 inches), and maneuverability in its class. This is courtesy of components that include a class-exclusive sway-bar disconnect system that improves the SUV’s articulation, giving it the ability to move across rough terrain and maintain tire contact with the ground.
The Trailhawk’s Quadra-Lift air suspension actively works to improve the SUV’s ground clearance and performance, which means you won’t have to turn around when faced with larger obstacles on the trail. When tackling those obstacles or sharp inclines or declines, you can also rely on the Trailhawk’s Selec-Speed Control System to maximize the SUV’s performance in 4LO by automatically applying torque and brake pressure as needed while you maneuver on the trail.
Cutting-Edge Tech
Jeep promises the 2022 Grand Cherokee is the most technologically advanced Grand Cherokee ever. How does Jeep deliver on its promise? The Grand Cherokee offers an array of touchscreen displays, including one of the first passenger displays in the industry, giving new meaning to the word “copilot.” Your front-seat passenger can fulfill their copiloting duties via the display, which offers access to the updated Uconnect 5 infotainment system, navigation, and exterior camera views.
Jeep standardizes wireless smartphone charging and integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to equipping the Grand Cherokee with Amazon Alexa, a virtual assistant that’s with you at every turn. The backseat is truly innovative with the all-new Fire TV system that allows passengers to use the vehicle’s 4G LTE WiFi hotspot to access Prime Video and stream television shows and movies, listen to music, and more. Since the system connects to the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, your passengers can control the rear climate settings and, on long trips, see your estimated arrival time to your destination. It might not be the end of the “Are we there yet?” question, but it’s certainly a start.
State-of-the-Art Safety and Driver-Assist Tools
The Grand Cherokee’s connectivity tools and features like the available head-up display truly set it apart from others in the segment. However, as any Jeep adventurer knows, the top of the mountain is only a scenic pause in an ongoing adventure on the trail. There’s always more to see and do. For Jeep, the Grand Cherokee’s cutting-edge connectivity tools and tech are only the beginning of everything the 2022 model has to offer. The Grand Cherokee isn’t complete without a suite of advanced safety and driver-assist tools that enhance your confidence behind the wheel, from scenic vistas to busy highways and beyond.
Jeep delivers monumental changes to the 2022 Grand Cherokee’s safety suite, which now includes 110 safety and security features. Every Grand Cherokee in the fleet is equipped with features like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, an advanced tool that’s usually only offered as an available upgrade by other automakers. For Jeep to standardize this feature means there’s even more advanced technology in the Grand Cherokee’s wheelhouse.
These features include an all-new night vision camera that actively alerts you to animals and pedestrians, minimizing the potential for collisions after dark whether you’re navigating a busy urban center or the trail. The new 360-degree surround-view camera gives you a bird’s eye view around the SUV in rainy or dusty conditions, thanks to front and rear washers that keep the lenses clean. Jeep also adds a Drowsy Driver Detection system that monitors your steering pattern and alerts you when it’s time to take a break if you’re drifting out of your lane too frequently. The Grand Cherokee will eventually take this technology a step further with the upcoming Hands-Free Active Driving Assist tool that automates your time behind the wheel, reducing stress and fatigue to deliver a more enjoyable and safe experience on the road.
Living Up to Its Legacy
Unveiled in the early 1990s, the Grand Cherokee introduced Americans to a new concept – a midsize SUV that’s both luxurious and off-road capable. That concept was immediately embraced and led Jeep on a journey to deliver more opulence and capability with each new generation. Along the way, the Grand Cherokee became the most awarded SUV ever made.
That tradition continues with the 2022 Grand Cherokee, which is laden with innovative technology and offers next-level capability. The first-ever hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe sets a new benchmark for Jeep’s greener future and proves that a hybrid isn’t solely designed as a commuter vehicle and, instead, can be both ruggedly capable and efficient on or off the pavement. The 2022 Grand Cherokee embodies the past, present, and future of the Jeep brand, showcasing everything we love about the best-selling SUV and what it means to be a part of the Jeep family.
