Jeep has unveiled the all-new, fifth-generation Grand Cherokee – its largest model. Revealed so far as a North American model, Jeep UK tells us that the Grand Cherokee will be sold in the UK, aiming for a mid-2022 launch.
It’s a full-sized luxury SUV that rivals cars such as the Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GLS or BMW X7, but with a uniquely American style and flavour to its chunky styling, double-wide interior and petrol-powered engine range.
The new Grand Cherokee promises better on-road dynamics than previous models but without sacrificing the off-road ‘trail-rated’ ability that’s key to the brand’s identity.
Plug-in hybrid available for the first time
The new Grand Cherokee 4xe is, so far, the powertrain that looks to have the most hope of making it to the UK. It pairs a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine to two electric motors replacing both the alternator and the torque converter for the automatic transmission. A pair of clutches shift engine and motor power where it’s needed.
Overall, there’s 375hp on offer and a massive 637Nm of torque, put to the road through all four wheels – though for the first time in a Grand Cherokee, the front axle can be disconnected under light loads to save fuel.
Jeep’s targeting 25 miles of all-electric range and 57mpge (a US-specific system used to measure the relative economy of electrified vehicles). How those two figures translate to the European WLTP cycle remains to be seen, and figures will be released closer to the SUV’s on-sale date.
Additionally available in the US will be a 3.6-litre ‘Pentastar’ V6 with 293hp or a 5.7-litre V8 with 357hp. Both are petrol-powered and despite fuel-saving tech, such as cylinder deactivation, seem unlikely to make great waves in the UK market given their mpg figures will likely be, at best, in the mid-20s. Both of these engines feature an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Plenty of off-road kit
There’s more buzzwords surrounding the Grand Cherokee’s off-road systems than we know what to do with – but all you need to know is that this looks to be one seriously capable vehicle.
Three 4×4 systems are fitted, with a rear electronic limited-slip differential. They’ll move torque to the wheel with the most grip to help avoid you getting stuck, while air suspension with active damping can rise to give the Jeep up to 28.7cm of ground clearance and the ability to wade through 61cm of water.
A system called Selec-Terrain works rather like Land Rover’s Terrain Response, allowing you to choose between Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Mud/Sand modes – the Grand Cherokee will then manage the rest, optimising the off-road systems for the terrain you’re on.
Should you want even more capability, there’ll be a Trailhawk model with even more capability – all-terrain tyres come as standard, it has improved approach, departure and breakover angles, and underbody skid plates to protect crucial components.
A sway-bar disconnect system allows for improved axle articulation and to top it off you get a burly makeover, with bonnet decals and red detailing. That detailing is blue if you select a Trailhawk with the 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain.
What this means for you
We can’t comment too much on the rest of the Grand Cherokee as we’ve not seen one in the metal, but from pictures the American-sized interior definitely looks like a comfortable place to be, and it’s likely that UK models will be absolutely swimming in equipment as befits a range-topping flagship. US models include things such as a huge display for the passenger and Amazon TV for the rear-seat entertainment system.
Since Jeep isn’t best-known for its diesel engines (it’s dropped the one previously available in the Wrangler) it wouldn’t surprise us if the Grand Cherokee arrives in the UK as a hybrid-only vehicle.
Previous models haven’t been particularly popular with the Range Rover crowd – but we’ll know better if this one’s likely to be a competitor when we experience one for ourselves. We’ll update this page with more information when we have it.
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> Read our review of the 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee here
