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With the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee about to hit dealerships, here’s a look of what’s on tap for the next generation of this venerable SUV.
The New Jeep Grand Cherokee
With its 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the off-road brand will be adding an all-new powertrain along with a fresh platform that is part of a growing lineup of updated and brand new models. Entering its fifth generation, the 2022 Grand Cherokee is of particular importance in the Jeep lineup given its top-dog sales status within the brand. The automaker recently revealed all the pertinent information on the new model noting that deliveries will begin this winter.
An Updated Exterior
Visually, the front end of the new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee sports narrower headlight lenses with a squatter grille and more pronounced air inlets versus the previous generation. A similar tail lamp treatment is applied out back along with a blacked-out floating pillar design. It’s all part of a new look that is distinctly Grand Cherokee but with more modern lines. The long-running Laredo trim continues as the base model while a sporty Altitude model now sits between base and Limited trim. Trailhawk models return fitted only with 4WD and a full roster of off-road equipment, while Overland, Summit and Summit Reserve models round out the top of the 2022 Grand Cherokee trim ladder.
A Better Ride – Even Off-Road
The Grand Cherokee has long been known for combining serious off-road chops with a healthy scoop of luxury. Rear-wheel-drive is standard with optional four-wheel-drive systems depending on trim. Quadra-Trac I operates like automatic all-wheel-drive and comes standard on lower 4×4 trim levels while Quadra-Trac II can be found higher up on the model hierarchy and adds the ability to select a low range. Selec-Terrain Traction Management will allow drivers to choose from driving modes like Rock or Mud/Sand and the Quadra-Lift air suspension includes adaptive dampers that can automatically lower ride height at highway speeds for better aerodynamics or jack it up for improved ground clearance.
Under the Hood of the Grand Cherokee
Stellantis’ Pentastar 3.6L V6 will continue as the standard engine making 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Trailhawk and Summit Reserve models can optionally be fitted with the 5.7L HEMI V8 that makes 357 hp and 390 torques and both of the gas-powered engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic. Catching all the limelight is the 4xe model, which will be running a plug-in gas-electric hybrid powertrain for the first time in a Grand Cherokee. This is part of Jeep’s stated goal to offer a 4xe version across their lineup by 2025. It blends a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder gas motor with dual electric motors for a combined output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. This 4xe hybrid setup will offer an all-electric range of 24 miles with a total combined driving range of 440 miles.
Added Luxury and Tech Inside
Luxury wise, Palermo leather seating with heat and ventilation, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and massaging seats with 16-way power adjustment are on tap for higher-end models. However, all 2022 Grand Cherokees will have a 10.25” digital gauge cluster plus available features like a wireless charging pad and active noise cancellation. Uconnect 5, the company’s latest infotainment software, will be on hand with wireless Apple and Android connectivity controlled via a standard 8.4” touchscreen display. Summit models will sport a 10” touchscreen display with a McIntosh audio system on the Reserve variant consisting of 19 speakers.
Hands-Free Active Driving Assist headlines the new safety measures with its ability to control steering, throttle, and braking on approved highways. Automatic emergency braking, rear-cross path detection, and parking sonar is standard fare with Summit models adding auto-parking capability, drowsy driver detection, and a surround-view camera monitor.
With its fresh new look and leading-edge tech, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee looks ready to continue burnishing its well-earned reputation as a comfortable family hauler that can double as a weekend off-road adventurer. Get ready for our full review of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee in the coming months!
