As the Jeep brand strives to become more ecologically conscious, they have undertaken shifts in their design philosophy to reflect this. Nowhere is this more present than in one of their most popular products, the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The all-new Grand Jeep Cherokee 4xe is a plug-in hybrid that abandons the notion that Jeeps must be traditional off-roaders. All Grand Cherokee 4xe models come with a turbocharged 2.0 liter inline-four gasoline engine and two electric motors. It produces a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque while also providing an electric driving range of 25 miles on a full charge. With the help of the electric motors, the Cherokee 4xe is rated for 56 MPGe.
Efficiency is a focus throughout the car. The 2.0 liter four cylinder engine uses a turbocharger mounted directly to the cylinder head. Additionally, electrical power steering and electrically driven air conditioning increase efficiency by using the electric motors for power. Because of the instant torque created by electric motors, the 4xe has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 lbs.
The plug-in hybrid version of the Grand Cherokee is still adept on the trail like other Jeeps, too. The Trail Rated Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe delivers up to 10.9 inches (28.7 cm) of ground clearance and 24 inches (61 cm) of water fording, which helped it conquer the Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains while in all-electric mode.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe's modern technology is also present in its safety equipment. Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist, all come as standard on the Grand Cherokee. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the Jeep Grand Cherokee a five star rating in crashworthiness. Truly, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe blends the environmental consciousness of today's vehicles with the rough and tumble spirit that has made the American brand a byword for quality and strength.