Since its inception in the early-mid ’90s, Jeep’s Grand Cherokee has proven the American brand’s go-anywhere image and war hero heritage can resonate just as clearly to more affluent buyers, who might’ve otherwise considered a Range Rover or other premium off-roaders.
For its newest generation, the WL Grand Cherokee swaps out a Daimler-Chrysler derived platform for the Italian-flavoured Giorgio platform, shared with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Giulia, and Maserati Grecale. Interestingly, Australia only receives the long wheelbase ‘L’ version.
Sadly, this means no more Hemi V8s (in Australia, at least), let alone lunatic-spec Trackhawk with 527kW. Instead, choices are limited to a 3.6-litre ‘Pentastar’ V6 petrol or a plug-in hybrid four-cylinder – only available in top spec Summit Reserve.
Does this change in platform and philosophy offer enough to please Jeep’s traditional customer base and win new fans? It’s a pretty big ask for a traditional V8 buyer to go for a four-cylinder PHEV instead. At least it makes a combined 280kW.
We borrowed the plug-in hybrid Summit Reserve 4xe – which also serves as the flagship of the entire range – to ponder those answers and more.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve: Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder plug-in hybrid
Output (combined): 280kW / 637Nm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: Four-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 18×7.5, 225/40
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2536kg
Power-to-weight: 9.01:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 3.2L/100km
Our consumption: 10.8L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 72L/91 RONPower efficiency: 87.5kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.99 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.48 seconds*
60-110km/h: 4.81 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.76 seconds at 152.9km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.899g*
100-0km/h braking: 41.02m in 3.36 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.197g*
Decibel at idle: 48*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 77*
Starting price: $129,950
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve: How much does it cost?
Right off the bat, the asking price of $129,950 before on-road costs is exorbitant when compared with more efficient German hybrid rivals. This test vehicle also has the Advanced Technology Group option, at $5500, which includes night vision camera, passenger touch-screen, and wireless phone charging.
The Velvet Red paint pictured here also adds an additional $1750. Once we add on-road costs, we are getting close to $150k, which is starting to get silly. Let’s unpack what you get for all that money – and there is a lot to unpack.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve: Interior & packaging
Normally a seven-seater, the new Grand Cherokee measures 4914mm long, 2149mm wide, 1801mm high and has a wheelbase of 2964mm. There is a capacious luggage area (between 1067L and 2004L in capacity), as it should without the third row of seats of other Grand Cherokee L variants.
Opening the (reassuringly) heavy doors reveals a mixed bag of an interior. Orange stitching and the dashtop material exude quality, as does the open-pore wood inserts, but the piano black plastic on the centre console is ill-fitting and awful quality, dragging the interior down.
Some cool features include the passenger touch-screen that allows you to plug in a PlayStation 5 or watch USB movies, but no internet access or Netflix diminishes the point a bit, as does the US-only power socket in the back. The addition of the passenger screen adds some tangible wow factor to the interior, when you tell people that starting price.
Pleasingly, there is lots of room in the second row, as well as heating and cooling for the outboard seats. The massage function for the front row seats is great and effectively reduces tension on longer journeys. They also offer ample range of (electronic) adjustment.
We also have to mention that the McIntosh 19-speaker stereo is a belter as expected, with grin-inducing sound clarity and reproduction but we would stop short of calling it industry best.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve: Powertrain & handling
It’s worth bearing in mind when you are considering a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicle, it is not just fuel consumption (L/100km) that needs to be taken into account, but electric power consumption (kWh/100km) is vital to know as well.
Weighing in at 2536kg (tare), electric energy consumption is rated at 25kWh/100km, but we experienced closer to 30kWh/100km. A profligate consumption number which means even a quick jaunt to the shops will see most of the battery consumed.
In hybrid mode, once the battery depleted, it drank an average of around 10.8L/100km during our test, or 13L/100km when in EV charge mode. The claimed consumption of 3.2L/100km is accurate for only very short bursts of time, when the battery is fully charged. Blink and you’ll miss it.
It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine developing 200kW and 400Nm, plus an electric motor system for a total system output of 280kW. The promised EV-only range of 52km feels nowhere near achievable in real world conditions. Regenerative braking is part of the equation, but for maximum effectiveness, there is a button atop the dash to activate it.
On a brighter note, the powertrain always feels smooth, with the transition between electric and petrol power managed seamlessly. It also delivers decent performance considering its heft, with 0-100km/h coming up in 6.48 seconds during our tests.
The Grand Cherokee is cumbersome to park despite cameras, and the handling is not as sharp as it should be given the Alfa Romeo-derived platform. It will push wide into understeer when handling is tested nearest its limit. Ride comfort is decently managed in all but the sharpest bumps thanks to adjustable air suspension.
Off-road prowess and preparation is good, despite the 17.3kWh battery pack hanging down low. As with other Jeeps, it should be ‘trail-rated’, with 276mm of ground clearance, 610mm of wading depth (if you’re game enough), 28.2 degree approach angle, 28.4 degree departure angle and 20.9 degree break-over angle. Towing capacity is 2722kg braked or 750kg unbraked..
How safe is the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe? According to the ANCAP report, very. It has a comprehensive array of airbags, including knee airbags for driver and front passenger, but no centre airbag between them.
It nevertheless scored 83 per cent for adult occupant protection, a commendable 93 per cent for child occupant protection, 81 per cent for vulnerable road user (i.e. pedestrian) – impressive for such a behemoth and 84 per cent for its safety assist which encompasses ADAS systems. You can read the full ANCAP report here.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- It’s big: There is so much space inside, easily accommodating a full family shopping and some.
- Plug-in hybrid: If you have solar power or can charge it at work, the efficiency isn’t a problem.
- Off-road: Proven Jeep off-road capability and preparation; height adjustable suspension.
- Safety tech: It comes standard with loads of safety features, and they aren’t too intrusive.
- Design: Dominating road presence with a touch of American class and luxury. We think it looks very well proportioned and distinctive.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve: Key considerations before you buy
- Efficiency: The energy consumption is ridiculous and defeats the purpose of having a plug-in hybrid.
- Very heavy: Being so heavy narrows the appeal to a very specific use-case scenario. Weight also damages economy and driving dynamics towards the limit.
- Expensive: For what you get, this doesn’t seem or feel like a $130k vehicle.
- No more V8 for flagship variant: The PHEV setup could work well in a smaller and lighter vehicle, but we’d much rather a smooth V8 or Jeep’s new inline-six in this style (and size) of vehicle.
Very American in gimmicks and flavour but the plug-in hybrid element does not make sense for such a heavy vehicle, as the battery power consumption is too high. We’d much prefer the Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six from the US market Jeep Grand Wagoneer, since V8s appear to be off the table. We expect the smaller Jeep Compass 4xe will offer far more sensible consumption for a more reasonable price.
This feels like a placeholder before Wagoneer S full-EV arrives, using Stellantis’s all-new electric architecture. From an engineering standpoint, a PHEV only makes sense if the energy consumption is low, and the weight is a big impediment to that, in our opinion.
A redeeming aspect of this car is the first five services being capped at $399, every 12 months or 12,000km –whichever comes first. Additionally, a five year/100,000km warranty should alleviate historical concerns about Jeep reliability, as well as roadside assistance for the same period.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
Final word
The standard equipment levels are very impressive, but unless you have an EV charger at home and work, with a short commute between both, we’d suggest saving $10,500 (and 236kg) and going for the Summit Reserve V6. As it stands, we’d have to say the 4xe misses the mark from an efficiency and driving engagement standpoint and is therefore difficult to recommend for the absurd asking price. A sign of the changing times and forced EV legislation, but without a Hemi V8 as per the US market version, the appeal is lacking.