► Fifth-gen Grand Cherokee pricing
► PHEV-only, loads of plush touches
► On sale in UK early 2023
Jeep has announced the full UK pricing and specification for its all-new Grand Cherokee. This range-topping model features a new platform, stacks of equipment and comes as 375bhp 4xe plug-in hybrid only over here and in Europe.
There are four trim levels to choose from – Limited, Overland, Trail Hawk and Summit Reserve – and pricing starts at £69,900.
What do you get for all that money?
Jeep is hoping the new Grand Cherokee will push the brand’s luxe frontier further into the front of mind for UK buyers, and as such, you get quite a posh piece of kit here.
Even the entry-level Limited model rolls on 20s, gets full-LED lighting, digital instrument cluster, Selec-Terrain driving mode system and a load of up-to-date safety kit, including ‘full speed Forward Collision Warning’. However, for nearly £70k, buyers may be disappointed to note the ‘premium vinyl’ upholstery – although with front and rear ventilation they should at least be comfy in hot weather.
Quadra-Trac II four-wheel drive is also standard, complete with low-range transfer box for trickier terrain.
Upgrade to Overland, and you get mostly styling tweaks – such as polished 20-inch alloys, dual exhausts and body-coloured front and rear fascias. However, there’s also a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and Nappa leather, plus Quadra-Lift air suspension. This starts at £75,900.
The Trailhawk is a different beast. Optimised for off-road driving, this is slightly cheaper at £73,900, but features the more sophisticated Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, which includes an active electronic transfer case, electronic LSD for the back axle, and four low mode locks for rock crawling and similar obstacles.
It also comes on 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres, features three skid plates, and an off-road accessory pack, and is exclusively fitted with a disconnectable front anti-roll bar for additional articulation. You get vinyl and suede seats, but these are only ventilated in the front.
The top dog Summit Reserve also comes with Quadra-Drive II, but pairs this with 21-inch polished alloys and Palermo leather upholstery for the seats and doors. There’s real walnut wood on the inside, too, as well as a 950W 19-speaker McIntosh Sound hifi system and 10.0-inch interactive passenger display screen.
This is priced from £82,900.
You mentioned a plug-in hybrid?
Just one of the available powertrains globally, and the only one being deployed in Europe. Labelled 4xe, just like other Jeep plug-in hybrids, it comprises a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 17kWh battery pack and an e-motor mounted between the engine and the gearbox.
That means the Grand Cherokee’s all-wheel drive system remains fully mechanical, like a Defender P400e. Jeep says the 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain develops 375bhp and 470lb ft in total, with a maximum e-range of 31 miles claimed.
Enough, apparently, to complete the famous Rubicon Trail off-road route on electric power alone.
For the North American market, a 3.6-litre V6 making 290bhp and 257lb ft, and 5.7-litre V8 with a relatively lax 357bhp and 390lb ft is also available.
Can it still handle the rough stuff?
Globally, there are three all-wheel drive systems offered on the new Grand Cherokee: one with a single-speed active transfer case that can move all of the power to the front or rear axle (Quadra-Trac I), a second with that plus a low-range ratio (Quadra-Trac II) and a third with a two-speed active transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle (Quadra-Drive II).
This is the first Grand Cherokee that can disconnect drive to its front axle to improve fuel economy.
When does the Jeep Grand Cherokee on sale in the UK?
You can order the new Grand Cherokee now, but first deliveries to UK customers aren’t expected until ‘early 2023’.