[TEST DRIVE] Jeep’s all-new Grand Cherokee SUV combines luxurious and reliability

YONGIN, Gyongi. After we consider luxurious SUVs, Jeep might be not the primary model that involves thoughts.

However recently, Jeep has been making an attempt to interrupt into the posh market, with the brand new Grand Cherokee on the forefront of that invasion.

Jeep not too long ago launched the totally revamped Grand Cherokee SUV to the Korean market, with each gasoline and plug-in hybrid choices. The Cherokee SUV and Grand Cherokee 4xe (plug-in hybrid model) are the most recent fashions to be added to the Grand Cherokee lineup, adopted by the 3-row Grand Cherokee L, which was launched within the Korean market final November.

That is Jeep’s second electrical automobile after the Wrangler 4xe that was launched final 12 months. The Jeep is owned by Stellantis in Amsterdam.

Contained in the Grand Cherokee [SARAH CHEA]

Korea JoongAng Each day not too long ago acquired behind the wheel of a Grand Cherokee 4xe on a 75-kilometer (47-mile) journey from Yongsan, central Seoul to Yongin, Gyeonggi.

The long-lasting bigger seven-slot grille stands out, giving the automotive a sharper and extra luxurious look.

Internally, this Grand Cherokee was utterly completely different from earlier fashions. Premium wooden and leather-based trims stand out, with loads of options that supply consolation, comparable to a therapeutic massage perform. This was the second when this reporter totally understood how a lot Jeep wished the “luxurious” title.

Jeep autos have lengthy been praised for his or her off-road skills, however typically criticized for his or her crude and retro designs.

Grand Cherokee trunk [SARAH CHEA]

Regardless of the overall tires as an alternative of winter tires, the SUV assured good security all through the check drive, which was stuffed with icy and snowy roads. Even when the automotive was on steep or downhill roads, the journey was steady.

When the velocity exceeded 80 kilometers per hour, a notification appeared on the dashboard asking the motive force to scale back the velocity to take care of the suspension peak. If the motive force doesn’t decelerate, it routinely lowers the altitude to maximise vitality effectivity.

Nonetheless, the automotive doesn’t include a really lengthy electrical vary. Throughout testing, the automotive coated a complete of 27.8 kilometers on electrical energy alone, in comparison with the official 33 kilometers.

“The battery drains quicker relying on exterior elements comparable to heater use or street situations,” mentioned Kim Byonghee, gross sales coach at Stellantis Korea. “When driving on a typical street with none uncommon situations, the automotive can go even additional with an electrical motor.”

Stellantis Korea gross sales coach Kim Byonghee explains concerning the Grand Cherokee earlier than a check drive [STELLANTIS KOREA]

The Grand Cherokee 4xe provides three completely different driving modes: totally electrical, hybrid and e-save. Modes might be simply chosen by urgent a button on the left aspect of the steering wheel.

It provides a most of 272 horsepower and 40.8 kgm of torque.

The automotive has recorded a gasoline economic system of 9.7 kilometers per litre, which is barely higher than the official 8.8 kilometers.

Sticker costs begin at 103.2 million gained ($83,600). The rival Mercedes-Benz GLE 350e 4Matic has a beginning value of 122 million gained.

Jeep has promised to deliver at the least one eco-friendly mannequin to Korea yearly, both totally electrical or plug-in hybrid, beginning in 2021. By 2025, the corporate has introduced that it’ll launch 4 all-electric SUVs on the automotive market.

Jeep bought 7,166 autos within the home market in 2022, which is 31.4 % lower than the earlier 12 months.

Stellantis sells 4 manufacturers in Korea: Jeep, Peugeot, DS and Citroen.

Grand Cherokee 4xe is charged at a restaurant in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do. [STELLANTIS KOREA]

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