Verdict

Regardless of being the perfect model but, this new Jeep Grand Cherokee can’t compete with the German institution in relation to luxurious, refinement or dynamics. Neither is it as environment friendly as the most recent BMW X5 xDrive50e – and for each firm automotive drivers and personal consumers alike, that stuff issues. At this value, we anticipated extra.

Public notion is an attention-grabbing factor. Right here in Europe, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is seen as one thing of an also-ran. It’s priced on par with premium rivals such because the BMW X5 and Audi Q7, but hardly ever thought of in the identical sentence.

However within the States, the massive Jeep outsells its German opponents a number of instances over. It’s an necessary international automotive for the model – only one that has by no means gained favour over right here.

In a bid to rectify that, Jeep has raised its sport. In addition to that includes a extra luxurious inside and extra tech, the brand new mannequin retains the previous automotive’s prodigious off-road skill, and provides a hybrid possibility. This would be the solely powertrain accessible within the UK – complying with Jeep’s push for low-emission autos – and we’re testing it right here in top-spec trim.

Inside, match and end take a bounce in the proper path – offering you keep away from the rough-and-ready Trailhawk model. We tried this mannequin first, and got here away lower than impressed by the swathes of scratchy plastic. After lower than 2,000 miles, a number of the trim across the gear selector appeared scuffed – the atmosphere was not that of a £60k-plus, Mercedes-challenging household SUV. The tinny sound that reverberated across the cabin once we closed the door left just a little to be desired, too.

Summit Reserve variations wrap a lot of the offending areas in leather-based, in addition to including wooden trim to the dashboard. These automobiles really feel extra upmarket, however the Jeep nonetheless doesn’t have the overall atmosphere of an X5 or – at this value – a Vary Rover Sport.

All Grand Cherokees include a 10-inch show, plus a ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster. As well as, the flagship automobiles get a Porsche-style display screen on the passenger facet, permitting entry for these using shotgun to issues just like the media and nav menus. They will even hearken to one thing fully separate through a set of wi-fi headphones.

But it appears like the reply to a query no-one requested – most will use a pill for leisure and depart turn-by-turn mapping to the driving force. The know-how itself isn’t to be sniffed at, although. Jeep’s system is responsive and the graphics are sharp. Plus it’s pleasing to see separate controls for the amount and air-conditioning.

However whereas 31 miles of electrical operating might need been aggressive 5 years in the past, that X5 (in up to date xDrive50e guise) will formally do greater than double (67 miles) with out utilizing a drop of gas. Jeep claims virtually 100mpg, however that will probably be tough to realize, given the restricted EV vary.

Take issues simple and the Grand Cherokee is completely nice to drive – significantly with a full battery. Issues come undone barely when the cost runs low otherwise you ground the throttle with out warning, when the Jeep can wrestle to juggle its two energy sources. Jerky at instances, the four-cylinder engine has to work arduous to haul the SUV’s bulk and feels strained below full throttle. The BMW’s smoother six-cylinder is the winner right here.

The Summit Reserve is significantly quieter than the Trailhawk – principally due to its road-biased tyres. There’s a little bit of wind noise, however you’d be joyful sufficient driving one from London to Liverpool, for instance.

However whereas the delicate air-controlled journey is completely at dwelling on the motorway, it’s not fairly as adept being thrown via a sequence of bends. The steering is heavy however in need of really feel, whereas the seats lack assist, so that you by no means really feel that related with the automotive. After all, whereas the Jeep can’t compete with the BMW, Audi or Vary Rover on street, it makes an attempt to indicate them a clear pair of heels off it. Jeep CEO Christian Meunier tells us “4xe is the brand new 4×4” and apparently this new Grand Cherokee has tackled the entire Rubicon Path in California in EV mode. If such issues matter, no premium SUV comes shut.

It needs to be a sensible household automotive, too. It’s larger inside than the previous one, with extra kneeroom and larger shoulder clearance. The boot is a good dimension, and 17 per cent bigger than the earlier Grand Cherokee’s. That mentioned, at 580 litres, rivals just like the Q7 are larger, and provide the choice of seven seats.

4 specs can be found: Restricted automobiles value a whisker below £70,000 – £5k greater than the most affordable Audi – however get the dual-screen infotainment, “premium wrapped” seats and four-zone local weather management. Trailhawk is geared in direction of off-roading, so we’d keep away from it. Overland (from £75,915) ups the package depend, whereas for £10k extra Summit Reserve throws in 21-inch wheels, leather-based seats, a 19-speaker stereo and that additional display screen.