The tech-laden Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe sets its sights on premium competition.
Almost one decade since Jeep Grand Cherokee sales peaked in Australia, the big American SUV has been viewed as something of an also-ran against premium rivals such as the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.
But in the States, the big Jeep outsells its German competitors several times over. It’s an important global car for the brand – just one that has been out of favour over here.
In a bid to rectify that, Jeep has raised its game. As well as featuring a more luxurious interior and more tech, the new model keeps the old car’s prodigious off-road ability and adds a hybrid option, that we’re testing here in top-spec trim ahead of its Australian arrival.
Inside, fit and finish take a jump in the right direction – providing you avoid the rough-and-ready Trailhawk version. We tried this model first, and came away less than impressed by the swathes of scratchy plastic. After less than 3200km, some of the trim around the gear selector looked scuffed – the ambience was not that of a Mercedes-challenging family SUV. The tinny sound that reverberated around the cabin when we closed the door left a little to be desired, too.
Summit Reserve versions wrap a number of the offending areas in leather, as well as adding wood trim to the dashboard. These cars feel more upmarket, but the Jeep still doesn’t have the general ambience of an X5 or a Range Rover Sport.
All Grand Cherokees come with a 10-inch display, plus a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. In addition, the flagship cars get a Porsche-style screen on the passenger side, allowing access for those riding shotgun to things like the media and nav menus. They can even listen to something completely separate via a set of wireless headphones.
Yet it feels like the answer to a question no-one asked – most will use a tablet for entertainment and leave turn-by-turn mapping to the driver. The technology itself isn’t to be sniffed at, though. Jeep’s system is responsive and the graphics are sharp. Plus it’s pleasing to see separate controls for the volume and air-conditioning.
But while 50km of electric running might have been competitive five years ago, that X5 (in updated xDrive50e guise) will officially do more than double (108km) without using a drop of fuel.
Take things easy and the Grand Cherokee is perfectly pleasant to drive – particularly with a full battery. Things come undone slightly when the charge runs low or you floor the throttle without warning, when the Jeep can struggle to juggle its two power sources. Jerky at times, the four-cylinder engine has to work hard to haul the SUV’s bulk and feels strained under full throttle. The BMW’s smoother six-cylinder is the winner here.
The Summit Reserve is considerably quieter than the Trailhawk – mostly thanks to its road-biased tyres. There’s a bit of wind noise, but you’d be happy enough driving one from along the freeway.
Despite being the best version yet, this new Jeep Grand Cherokee can’t compete with the German establishment when it comes to luxury, refinement or dynamics. Nor is it as efficient as the latest BMW X5 xDrive50e.