It wasn’t too long ago that the plug-in hybrid scheme was always attached to slow, unattractive sedans, yes, we’re looking at you Prius Prime and Honda Clarity with your weird rear wheel half cover eco design. And even though the Chrysler Pacifica was one of the first few decent-to-drive mainstream plug-in hybrids, not everyone wanted a van. But someone finally caught on to what consumers actually want and with the Toyota RAV4 Prime starting a new trend, it was just a matter of time before others took notice. With Jeep now jumping on this bandwagon with the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid, it starts to elevate a new territory for the Jeep brand.

Unlike a traditional hybrid system, a plug-in hybrid essentially requires a much more powerful electric motor and quite a bite more batteries to handle the additional source of power. Getting a similar set to the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the Grand Cherokee 4xe uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, an 8-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system that will lay the power down. Combined, the system makes for 375-horsepower and a whopping 470lbs-ft of torque.

Onboard, there is a 400-volt 17.3-kWh battery pack stored in the floor that can store upwards of 26-miles of full EV range with a 6.6-kWh charger. Charging time varies based on power; but ultimately, a depleted battery can take somewhere in the realm of 24-hours to charge from a 110v outlet or about 4-6 hours from a level 2, 240v charging station. We personally found during our commute to our downtown office would diminish about 50% of our battery usage; charging at our offices level 2 charging station would take just under 2-hours to 100%. Upon arriving at home, using our 110v outlet to charge the again remaining 50% would take roughly 10-12 hours of charging time.

Plug-in hybrids are a complicated system; getting two sources of power to play fluidly with each other is a tall order. The combination between the two has a sort of Jekyll and Hyde personality – at times it is seamless as any traditional hybrid other times, there you and can hear and feel a thud of the engine starting up and the transmission regaining control. Starting up, the Grand Cherokee defaults to a hybrid mode, favoring the EV sector under normal driving conditions. Switching into electric mode quickly changes it fate to relying it source of power from just the electric motor and battery pack. With the electric motor producing 134-horsepower and 195lbs-ft of torque, the Jeep propels with ease like a gentle giant. Surprisingly for such a heavy vehicle, it has no difficulties keeping up with traffic or passing slower drivers. Press the accelerator a little more and the turbo-four engine will engage to ensure you are provided sufficient power for the means. However, when duty calls as such, we noticed a delay between the operations.

When both forces decide to work coherently, it opens a new world of performance. The Grand Cherokee 4xe sees 0 to 60 mph in under 6.5-seconds. Shifting through its eight gears smoother than freshly paved road, it feels just as quick as the numbers claim. When the battery is depleted, the system returns to a traditional hybrid setup; sending regenerative resources back to the battery pack through braking and other sources. The return, surprising, is not as efficient as we would have hopped with only receiving 23-miles to the gallon.

On pavement, the additional load from the battery pack and electric motor gives the Grand Cherokee poise balance. It handles it additional weight well feeling like a cloud of air over the road. Makes sense given the Quadra-Lift adjustable air suspension fitted to our test subject that also made it capable of clearing 10.9-inches of ground clearance and capable of forging 24-inches of water.

Given the nature of Jeep and its branding; going plug-in hybrid does not affect its ability to leave the pavement and venture the open world. Maintaining to its true roots and a series of off-road tech to keep you moving over harsh terrain like the Terrain Management System and a two-speed transfer case.

There are 6 variants of the 4xe starting with entry level, uhm, 4xe starting at $60,360 to the range topping Summit Reserve starting at $77,570. Our example being the sort of middle-of-the-pack Overland starting at $68,375 had us in sticker shock when the final tally rang in at a total of $75,305 after various options were added on.

Even after our shock, the Grand Cherokee is entering a new world beyond its own self-control of premium territory. Luckily for itself, it is almost good enough to compete. The Grand Cherokee is an elegant, classy place to be. The cabin is handsomely arranged with ultra-soft nappa leather seats and trim with nicely decorated textured wood accents. Then there are the luxurious additions like a crisp night vision display, massaging front driver and passenger seats, a passenger display touch screen, and an incredible 19-speaker McIntosh surround sound system.

As a premium SUV, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is hitting all the right targets, and as for PHEV’s go, it carries the 2^nd best in class towing cable of hauling 6,000lbs and superior off-road capabilities. However, as a plug-in hybrid, we find it difficult to justify the additional cost considering the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV and the Kia Sorento PHEV include better range, better fuel economy and a significantly less price tag.