DETROIT—Jeep today announced two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) versions of its Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler SUVs at the Detroit Auto Show.
The special-edition Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary will be available in 2023, while the Wrangler Willys 4xe rolls out later this year.
Jim Morrison, SVP and head of Jeep brand North America, announced the vehicles on stage here as someone drove the cars—one after the other—over a 23-foot metal track to the left of the stage. Morrison encouraged the crowd to test-drive a Jeep at the show to "experience going up 23 feet in near silence" thanks to the electric engine.
Both cars operate on a combination of gas and electric power. The Grand Cherokee will be able to drive 25 miles on a single charge, a 56 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe). The hybrid system delivers 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque and max towing of 6,000 pounds, as does the Wrangler Willys 4xe, which will have a 21-mile range before switching to gas, a 49 MPGe.
The special-edition Grand Cherokee 4xe has black leather seats, a wireless charging pad, a 10.1-inch touch screen, and wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will also have standard features like front/rear park assist, Intersection Collision Assist, passive entry, rain-sensing windshield wipers, digital rearview mirror, and a 360-degree camera system.
The anniversary perks will be available as a $4,700 package on top of the price of the SUV; the existing 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe starts at $60,695. Orders will open later this year and the vehicles will arrive at dealerships in 2023.
An 8.4-inch touch screen will be optional on the Willys 4xe, which will start at $53,995 (excluding a $7,500 tax credit). Drivers can place orders today, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Last week, Jeep announced its first fully electric cars, which will be available starting in 2024 with the Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S. A representative from the brand at the show confirmed the goal is to move to all-electric eventually. The PHEV offering serves customer needs in the meantime as charging infrastructure and consumer preferences continue to evolve.