Last week, Stellantis announced a major EV initiative that aims to electrify a portion of its lineup in the coming years, a move that comes a bit late after its chief rivals – Ford and General Motors – have been investing in electric power for some time now. Regardless, these new and expansive EV plans including an all-electric Ram 1500 pickup, a fully electric muscle car, and now, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid, a future Ford Edge rival.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is the first two-row version we’ve seen of the new Grand Cherokee that is already on sale in long-wheelbase three-row L trim and joins the Jeep Wrangler 4xe that was revealed last fall. Soon, Jeep will also offer a PHEV version of the new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer as well as it aims to have a zero-emission model in each crossover/SUV segment by 2025.
The entire fifth-generation Grand Cherokee lineup, including the 4xe, will be officially unveiled at the 2021 New York International Auto Show. Until then, Jeep has merely provided a few images of the new plug-in hybrid and little additional information, including what sort of powertrain it will offer or estimated fuel economy ratings.
The 2021 Wrangler 4xe utilizes a 2.0L turbocharged I-4 coupled with engine and transmission-mounted motor generator units, a 400-volt, 17-kWh, 96-cell lithium-ion, nickel manganese cobalt battery pack, and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. Total output is 375 horsepower (280 kW) and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) of torque, with a combined fuel economy rating of 49 MPGe and an all-electric driving range of 22 miles.
Meanwhile, the future of the next-gen Grand Cherokee’s rival – the Ford Edge – remains a bit murky. Last summer, Ford Authority reported that the next-gen Edge had already been canceled, a move that seems even more likely to happen following the automaker’s announcement that the Ford Oakville Assembly Plant – where the Edge and Lincoln Nautilus are produced –  will build five new EVs as part of a new deal with Canadian union Unifor.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for ongoing Ford news coverage.
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100% freedom????? How do you figure your free? All of these cordless drills are fenced in by how far you can drive until you recharge. How long is that? Well at least an hour. To me an hour wasted charging your cordless drill, that is at least 60 miles lost. Oh you have quick charge batteries? Battery technology, the faster you charge, the quicker you batteries need to be replaced. Now why cordless drill? These cars are no different than the cordless drill in your garage. Cordless drill you buy today is considered disposable. Just like your EV vehicle. It will be priced to be disposable.