Jeep unveils first hybrid Grand Cherokee to be available next year

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Jeep on Wednesday introduced its first-ever plugin hybrid Grand Cherokee as part of the automaker's efforts to produce more environmentally friendly sport-utility vehicles.

The automaker said the new SUV -- branded the Grand Cherokee 4xe -- will lead the Jeep brand into a "new era."

"The Jeep Grand Cherokee is our global flagship and will be leading the Jeep brand into a new era of premium refinement, innovative technology, advanced 4x4 capability, and electrification," Jeep CEO Christian Meunier said in a statement.

Jeep said the new SUV combines two electric motors and a 400-volt battery pack and allows drivers to go for 25 miles per charge before it switches over to a four-cylinder gasoline engine.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe is only Jeep's second hybrid model, after the Wrangler 4xe last year.

Jeep said the hybrid Grand Cherokee will be available in North America in early 2022 and pricing will start at just under $40,000.

The 2022 model is Jeep's fifth generation for the Grand Cherokee, which was first introduced for the 1992 model year.