Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve is a Cowboy in a Tux
The top-of-the-line Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid may feel like a Cadillac on the inside, but it’s still very much a Jeep.
In case you’re not familiar, the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in eight flavors. The 4xe variant, though, has six variants, with the base level costing almost double the cost of the base gas-powered trim. The top-shelf version of the model is the 4xe Summit Reserve, starting at $79,150 MSRP. And you may think, “Wow, nearly $80,000 is a lot for a Jeep.” And it is, but, for a select few, this is a perfect blend of rancher and established businessman. As the title implies, it’s a cowboy in a tuxedo. You could say it has a boot in both worlds. One in the rugged, outdoorsy, off-road world, and one in the posh, eclectic, and impressive realm.
While it has easily accessible lower anchors and upper tethers for car seats, I don’t recommend this car for those with small children. They can’t appreciate the finer things, so they weren’t impressed by the wood trimming, glistening piano black surfaces, and elaborate climate control options for the rear. The black leather seats were quickly disrespected by crumbs and juice residue after the first day. My husband and I looked at each other and thought, “Oh God, not the leather!”
It also had 21″ wheels and all-season Continental tires, making me skeptical of its off-road readiness, but it was willing and ready to prove me wrong once I took it to the nearest forest service road.
The interior made me think Stellantis doesn’t quite know who it’s trying to attract
The wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto was quick to connect and reliable, and the infotainment screen was easy to use, with all the settings right where you’d expect them to be. Thankfully, all the HVAC controls were buttons and knobs, so I didn’t have to dig through the screen to find them. I also appreciated that the screen was integrated into the center console instead of looking like someone stuck an iPad on the dashboard.
There was also a screen for the passenger, which was kind of funky, because the purpose was to allow the passenger to choose the destination and send it to the main screen for the driver, but.. The main screen was close enough to both that all those functions could be done on one screen. The one cool feature, though, was the passenger could access all exterior cameras while the car was in motion. It might be helpful when parking, as the Parking Assist just told you if it detected a spot, but it could be helpful off-road. But, the main screen has the functionality too, so it just seemed… Odd.
Other than that, it made me question what kind of driver Stellantis was trying to draw in with this trim level. As a mom of two kids, the PHEV aspect was a game changer. Being able to run to the store and back on just the battery instead of sipping gas from the 270-horsepower turbo four (370 when you include the hybrid motors) was amazing. The electric range was about 25 miles, which was perfect for the rural areas of Bend, Oregon. Once outside the city limits, having the assurance of both the gas and electric components was incredible.
But again – the nice leather and all kind of shiny buttons wasn’t ideal in my situation with two toddlers who don’t care much for listening. My husband and I both agreed this car would be perfect for a realtor who lived in an area like Bend, Oregon, or Lake Tahoe that had clients to drive around and impress. And on the way to a lakeside cabin was a dirt or gravel road that was washed out from a snowstorm or was rarely maintained. Or this would be a great second vehicle for someone who wanted to use it to tow their boat to their lake property in the summer or spend Christmas at their timeshare in the mountains. Otherwise, the impressive off-road features would likely never be employed.
The heavyweight wasn’t afraid to roll up its sleeves and get dirty
Once the tarmac turned into the silty dirt of Central Oregon, the Grand Cherokee was ready to flex its off-roading pedigree. Technology and ruggedness firmly shook hands in the form of responsive automatic terrain detection and real-time data presentation. The ride height would automatically adjust, and the transmission would change how it shifts depending on the grade of ascension or descension.
I loved how the screens on the inside would relay important data like the suspension movement, tire pressure, oil temperature, coolant temperature, ride height, and what mode the transmission was in. The digital gauge cluster would change to read the same, but include the speed of travel, too. You could also utilize all the cameras on the main screen. I also appreciated knowing the battery underneath was reinforced and sealed, too.
The best part was the Grand Cherokee’s ability to detect when it was no longer off-road and adjust the driving mode and ride height automatically. For those who are savvy to off-roading, it still can shift into 4L with the press of a button. It was so comfortable on the forest roads, that both of my toddlers were sound asleep in their car seats while my husband and I toyed with the settings. We also enjoyed a complimentary massage while going over rocks jutting out from the washed-out trail, too. Further reinforcing the complicated image this Grand Cherokee produces.
To me, I felt like it suffered from G-Wagon syndrome. The G-Wagon is a very capable, military-spec off-roader, but the price tag and target audience doom it to a garaged and posh life. I feel like the Summit Reserve edition would suffer the same fate.
Once we arrived home, though, the interior was incredibly dusty, and the dirt stuck out like a sore thumb against the black leather. Of course, I pictured the people who could afford this trim level of Grand Cherokee and knew right away they likely wouldn’t appreciate that.
