[TEST DRIVE] Jeep's fully revamped Grand Cherokee SUV combines luxury and reliability

When thinking of luxury SUVs, Jeep probably isn't the first brand that springs to mind. But recently, Jeep has been trying to invade the luxury market, with the new Grand Cherokee at the forefront of that invasion.

Jeep's Grand Cherokee 4xe, a plug-in hybrid model [STELLANTIS KOREA]

YONGIN, Gyeonggi - When thinking of luxury SUVs, Jeep probably isn't the first brand that springs to mind.

But recently, Jeep has been trying to invade the luxury market, with the new Grand Cherokee at the forefront of that invasion.

Jeep recently introduced a fully revamped Grand Cherokee SUV in the Korean market, in both gasoline and plug-in hybrid versions. The Cherokee SUV and Grand Cherokee 4xe (the plug-in hybrid version), are the latest models added to the Grand Cherokee lineup, followed by the 3-row Grand Cherokee L, which was released in the Korean market in November last year.

It is Jeep’s second electric vehicle after the Wrangler 4xe which was introduced last year. Jeep is owned by Amsterdam-based Stellantis.

The inside of the Grand Cherokee [SARAH CHEA]

The Korea JoongAng Daily recently got behind the wheel of the Grand Cherokee 4xe on a 75–kilometer (47-mile) journey from Yongsan, central Seoul to Yongin, Gyeonggi.

The iconic larger seven-slot grille stood out, giving the vehicle a sharper and more majestic look.

Interior-wise, this Grand Cherokee was totally different from previous models. Premium wood and leather trims stood out, with many features that offer comfort such as a massage function. This was the moment this reporter fully understood how much Jeep wants the “luxury” title.

Jeep vehicles have long been praised for their off-road talents, but sometimes criticized for their rough and untrendy designs.

The trunk of the Grand Cherokee [SARAH CHEA]

Despite general tires instead of winter tires, the SUV guaranteed perfect safety through the entire test drive course which was full of icy and snowy roads. Even when the vehicle was on steep uphill or downhill roads, the driving was stable.

Once the speed went over 80 kilometers per hour, a notice popped up on the dashboard asking the driver to lower the speed to keep the suspension height. If the driver does not slow down, it automatically lowers the height to maximize energy efficiency.

But the vehicle comes with a not-so-long electric range. The vehicle traveled a total of 27.8 kilometers solely on electric power during the test drive compared to the official figure of 33 kilometers.

“The battery runs out faster depending on external factors such as heater use or road conditions,” said Kim Byoung-hee, a sales trainer at Stellantis Korea. “When driving on a general course without any unusual conditions, the car can go an even longer distance on the electric motor.”

Kim Byoung-hee, a sales trainer at Stellantis Korea, explains about the Grand Cherokee before the test drive [STELLANTIS KOREA]

The Grand Cherokee 4xe offers three different driving modes — fully electric, hybrid and e-save. The modes can be easily selected by pressing a button on the left side of the steering wheel.

It offers a maximum of 272 horsepower and 40.8-kilogram meters of torque.

The vehicle recorded fuel economy of 9.7 kilometers per liter, a bit better than the official figure of 8.8 kilometers.

The sticker price starts from 103.2 million won ($83,600). Rival Mercedes-Benz’s GLE 350e 4Matic starting price is 122 million won.

Jeep has pledged to bring at least one eco-friendly model, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, to Korea every year starting in 2021. By 2025, the company said it will release four all-electric SUVs in the automobile market.

Jeep sold 7,166 cars in the domestic market in 2022, down 31.4 percent on year.

Stellantis sells four brands in Korea: Jeep, Peugeot, DS and Citroen.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe is being charged at a cafe in Yongin, Gyeonggi. [STELLANTIS KOREA]

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]