2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe is the latest iteration in Jeep's lineup of trail-ready SUVs.
Building upon the success of the Grand Cherokee family, the Trailhawk 4xe embraces the electric revolution, offering an enticing blend of off-road capability and electrified efficiency. This plug-in hybrid SUV caters to drivers who seek the thrill of adventure without compromising on sustainability.
With the Trailhawk package, this model blends the brand's legendary off-road capabilities with modern hybrid technology, making it an exciting addition to the SUV market.
What's New?
If you didn’t already know, the most off-road capable of all the Grand Cherokee models is the Trailhawk, which, when optioned as a 4xe, makes for an intriguing package.
The highly anticipated electrification of the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe marks a significant milestone for the brand, following the success of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. While the electric-only capability is useful for daily commute, the instantaneous torque from the electric motor also makes off-roading a joy.
The powertrain of the Trailhawk 4xe is a plug-in hybrid system that combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor with a sizeable 17.3 kwh battery pack.
This tried-and-true combination produces a robust 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, ensuring ample power to tackle challenging terrains. Incidentally, this is the same amount of torque as the Hemi V8, but yet the 4xe’s 0-100 km/hr runs are approximately one second quicker than the V8 Grand Cherokee.
Additionally, the electric motor offers an electric-only range of approximately 42 kilometres, making it ideal for short urban commutes without using a drop of gas. I was able to squeeze out a max of 45 kms with careful driving.
Spoiled for choice
One aspect of its PHEV vehicles that Jeep got right is E Selec, which offers three drivetrain modes:
Hybrid: This is the standard mode which optimizes the drivetrain to determine the mix of internal combustion and battery electric assist for the best balance of fuel efficiency and performance.
Electric: This is an EV-only mode which will stay in effect until the battery is depleted or the driver requests maximum torque, for example at wide-open throttle or while accelerating up a hill.
e-Save: This mode prioritizes the internal combustion engine to save the battery charge for later use, such as driving to a trail and running it on all-electric with a full charge.
Drivers can select from these modes with clearly marked buttons to the left of the steering wheel, or from within the infotainment system. The 2023 Grand Cherokee 4xe takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge on a Level 2 plug-in charger at a max of 7.2 kW charging.
The Trailhawk 4xe models come completely equipped with skidplates, including a robust 3.5mm-thick battery skidplate. This feature ensures that the 17.3 kWh battery remains protected from any potential damage on off-road trails.
Exterior styling
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe exudes a commanding presence on the road, boasting a timeless Jeep design with contemporary accents.
The front fascia proudly displays the iconic seven-slot grille, flanked by LED headlights. The Trailhawk's aggressive front bumper and blacked-out accents further enhance its rugged demeanor, leaving no doubt about its off-road capabilities.
Under its sculpted wheel arches, the Trailhawk 4xe houses unique 18-inch off-road wheels shod with Trailhawk-specific 265/60R18 Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires.
Off-road prowess with electrification
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe's distinctive blue tow hooks add to its adventurous allure. Other blue accents appear on the wheels and exterior badges. The bold character lines along the sides contribute to the SUV's athletic appearance while emphasizing its Jeep DNA.
It's worth noting that the Trailhawk 4xe tips the scales at approximately 500 pounds more than their non-hybrid counterparts. Despite this added weight, it still boasts an impressive towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds.
Equipped with the Quadra Trac II 4x4 system, all Trailhawks offer a 2.72:1 low range and a crawl ratio of 47.4:1. The rear eLSD ensures optimal torque distribution to the wheel with the most traction, while the exclusive front electronic disconnecting anti-roll bar enhances articulation.
Jeep prioritized strength, enabling the tow hooks to handle up to 10,000 pounds, approximately 1.5 times the GVWR. Additionally, the roof rails can carry a dynamic load of 150 pounds.
A standout feature is the Quadra-Lift air suspension with semi-active damping and 4.7 inches of adjustability. At its highest setting, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe gains an impressive 10.9 inches of ground clearance, 24 inches of water-fording capability, and leading approach, departure, and breakover angles of 35.7, 30, and 22.3 degrees, respectively.
This new closed loop air suspension system is faster and more refined, eliminating the bumpy rebound springs experienced in previous models like the WK or WK2 Grand Cherokee.
Interior and Technology
The interior of the Trailhawk 4xe exudes elegance and comes generously furnished with Capri leather-trimmed power seats adorned with suede inserts.
Both the front and rear rows feature heating options, and the heated steering wheel adds a touch of luxury.
The cabin boasts modern technology with a Stellantis’ excellent Uconnect5 system and a 10.1-inch centre display. There is an additional 10.25-inch touchscreen front passenger display as well, similar to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. I particularly liked the infotainment system’s Off-Road pages, which can display a wide variety of information from off-road status, to various engine temp/pressure readouts.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available, as are multiple USB A and C ports plus wireless charging. This is an impressive assortment of choices to keep your devices powered up during long journeys.
Music lovers will also appreciate the 506-watt nine-speaker Alpine audio system, while practical additions like cargo tie downs, shopping bag hooks enhance convenience.
Ride and Handling
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe excels in delivering a well-balanced driving experience, combining off-road prowess with on-road comfort. The 4xe is a surprisingly engaging drive partner even on twisty roads.
The hybrid powertrain enhances the SUV's performance on and off-road, offering instant torque delivery that is particularly advantageous during off-road climbs or through stop-and-go traffic. The Selec-Terrain system and Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system provide drivers with various driving modes, tailoring the vehicle's behavior to different terrains.
It is worth nothing that there were a few times on the road where I felt a slight hesitation as the powertrain computer transitioned between modes. For the most part though, the hybrid system feels well-sorted.
On regular roads, the Trailhawk 4xe offers a relatively composed and comfortable ride, absorbing bumps and imperfections with ease. The knobbly Goodyears do add some noise though. Thankfully, the added weight from the battery pack doesn't significantly impact its handling or maneuverability.
Will you mistake the Grand Cherokee 4xe’s handling and performance for a Range Rover plug-in hybrid, no you won’t. But it does a pretty convincing job at almost half the price of the Range Rover PHEV.
Final Thoughts
While the Trailhawk 4xe primarily caters to on-road usage, Jeep's engineering efforts ensured it stands as the most capable SUV in its class. In an impressive feat, Jeep demonstrated this by conquering the challenging Rubicon trail solely on battery power, relying on a single charge.
For those seeking a versatile, potent, eco-friendly, opulent, technologically advanced, and cozy SUV all rolled into one, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe undoubtedly deserves a prominent position at the top of your consideration list.
