A different choice
Jeep launched the first Grand Cherokee in 1992, at a time when the acronym SUV was almost exclusive to the brand.
Interestingly, it was Jeep itself, in a brochure for the 1974 Cherokee SJ, that debuted the ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’ name, but nobody took much notice since, at the time, the Cherokee was a pure off-road vehicle and not the combination of several principles in a single vehicle.
An SUV is essentially a road car that can go off-road, not the other way round. In 1992, Jeep realised that this character could be exploited in a higher segment (the success of the Range Rover in Europe helped), and the Grand Cherokee came to occupy a place in the market that needed a benchmark model with the USA stamp.
Now in its fifth generation, the Grand Cherokee is bigger, prettier and better than ever, with the American brand opting to make the 4xe version electric, the only one available in Portugal in 2025.
The Grand Cherokee is equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors. Together, they provide a total output of 381 horsepower and 637Nm of torque. The electric motors are powered by a 14kWh battery, which in turn offers a zero-emission range of up to 40km.
Inside, the two 10.1-inch screens, one for the dashboard and the other for the central infotainment system, define an unabashedly technological approach and prove that Jeep can keep up with the German manufacturers not only in terms of quality, but also in the development of cutting-edge software.
A new LED lighting system, fully customisable and even with day/night settings, is standard, whilst the MacIntosh sound system, one of the best Essential Algarve has ever tested in a car, is included in the Summit Reserve version we tested.
On the road, the Grand Cherokee offers a premium experience, owing to the outstanding driving comfort, the soundproofing and the quality of the materials. The space on board is immense and the off-road capability is worthy of the emblem it represents. The 40km of electric range is very welcome when driving around town, helping a large SUV to achieve averages of less than seven litres per 100km – as long as the batteries are charged whenever they are close to zero, of course.
Jeep will always be a different choice, of course, but it will always be the right one.
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