The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe carries a 400-volt, 17-kWh EV battery. A variable clutch mounted behind the e-motor manages engagement with the transmission to improve drivability and efficiency.

When the clutch is closed, combined torque from the 2.0-liter engine and the e-motor flow through the automatic transmission. When the system operates in electric-only mode this clutch is open so there is no mechanical linkage between the engine and the e-motor. Two clutches manage power and torque from the e-motor and engine.Ī clutch is mounted between the engine and the motor. Connected to the engine crankshaft pulley via a belt, the motor generator spins the engine for nearly seamless, fuel-saving, start-stop operation and generates electricity for the battery packĪ larger high-voltage motor generator is mounted in the transmission, replacing the torque converter. The conventional alternator is replaced with a high-voltage, liquid-cooled motor generator unit. Efficiency is enhanced via the use of electric power steering and an electrically driven air conditioning compressor, removing those loads from the engine. The high-tech, direct-injection engine uses a twin-scroll, low-inertia turbocharger mounted directly to the cylinder head. 'The fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine is part of Stellantis’s Global Medium Engine family. 'the 4xe propulsion system combines two electric motors, a 400-volt battery pack, 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission for maximum efficiency and capability.' It will be able to tow up to 6,000-lbs (2,720 kg) - only slightly less than the conventional version. Chances are you will be mostly on-road with this, so think BMW X5, Audi Q7, Range Rover that sort of territory.Overall, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe will have an output of 280 kW and 637 Nm. None of those are PHEVs though, and they sit a league above in terms of ability. Rather depends on how much money you're prepared to throw at the problem. All handily tested side-by-side at this very link, along with the Jeep Wrangler. If you're heading off-road then you should be looking at the Land Rover Defender, Mercedes G-Class and Ford Bronco (outside the UK, of course). Still, a well-judged ride matters and it's got one, at least with the air-suspended version we tried. It rolls less than you might expect but pitches if you're not smooth. So you sometimes put too much input into a heavy car that really needs driving smoothly.

There's an oddness to the steering, with a dead central band, that gets too quick once you've turned slightly. The engine isn't that refined but with electric backup you're mostly not stressing it. And running costs depend on the price of electricity. But as with any PHEV real-world it entirely depends on how frequently it's plugged in. On the WLTP it's about 100mpg depending on spec. Or it supplements energy from petrol to make it stretch further. How much more efficient is it?Ī 14kWh battery pack allows useful all-electric range: 31 miles in the official tests, which might translate into 20-25 miles in mixed driving. The transfer case allows you to choose normal high ratios for the road, or a low set for off-road crawling.

Hybrid jeep grand cherokee