With a battery size 1/5th that of a Tesla, the Grand Cherokee 4xe’s smaller battery means an overall shorter charge time.
Jeep is dipping its toes in the electric space and they now have two plug-in hybrids with all-electric driving mode capabilities; the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.
Both Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee hybrids share the same 2.0L turbocharged engine with two electric motors providing main propulsion or hybrid assist depending on what mode you’re in and the conditions.
Just to refresh your memory,
- Combined total system output is 375 HP and 470 lb-ft
- 2.0L Turbocharged engine alone- 270 HP at 5,250 RPM and 295 lb-ft at 3,000 RPM
- Integrated transmission traction motor- 134 HP and 181 lb-ft
- eTorque belt starter generator motor 44 HP and 39 lb-ft
And both share the same battery size, a 17 kWh one. For comparison, a fully electric Tesla Model S has an 85 kWh battery and a Prius Prime (a more similar Plug-in hybrid) has an 8.8 kWh battery.
How long does it take to charge on a regular 120 volt outlet?
Although Jeep has not published its official owner’s manual, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s is floating around, an apples to apples charging comparison.
With the provided portable charging cord, it takes approximately 12 hours (drawing 15 amps) to charge a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe on a regular 120 volt outlet.
With 25 miles of electric range (EV mode only) that’s about 2 miles of range per hour charged.
What’s it like driving around on EV mode only?
Remember, this is a plug-in hybrid with an engine and two electric motors. In pure EV mode, you’ll only be using the main 134 HP traction motor.
Car and Driver goes into more detail about how the Wrangler 4xe is in EV mode-only and it should mirror the Grand Cherokee’s EV mode only driving experience.
In their experience, an EV-only Wrangler 4xe hit 0-30 MPH in less than six seconds, but took overall 20 seconds to reach a highway safe 60 MPH. Acceptable acceleration creeping around town but no top end above 30-ish MPH.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe will be more than capable around town in EV mode but might need the engine to kick in merging on the highway.
Wrangler 4xe owners have reported hitting 80 MPH in EV mode only, which bodes well for the Grand Cherokee 4xe owners wanting to hit similar electric top speeds.
If you buy a Grand Cherokee 4xe you will be able to flex on your neighbors and fellow church parishioners in silent electric-only mode, no problem.
