The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe excelled at the annual event known as "Mudfest".
It appears the Northwest Automotive Press Association was blown away with the capability of the all-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. For the first time ever, one vehicle drove off with all of the major awards. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was awarded the Overall winner, the Electrified Utility Vehicle winner and the Mid and Full-Size Family Vehicle winners. The event is called the “Mudfest” but the Grand Cherokee 4xe came out on top.
Stunning Off-Road Capability
It would be fair to say that the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe dominated the awards, winning three of the eight categories. The biggest prize was the Overall 2022 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.
“The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe marks a new era in the SUV market,” says NWAPA President John Vincent of U.S. News & World Report. “It’s a no-compromise vehicle that blends Jeep’s legendary off-road capability with outstanding on-road manners, impressive fuel economy and the ability to travel on electricity alone.”
“The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, along with the first-ever three-row Grand Cherokee L and all-new two-row Grand Cherokee, make up the best lineup ever for Grand Cherokee, a nameplate that holds the distinction of being the most awarded SUV of all time,” said Jim Morrison, vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. “Winning the 2022 Northwest Outdoor Vehicle of the Year, the Grand Cherokee, now with electrified 4xe technology, leads the Jeep brand toward its vision of Zero Emission Freedom.”
Members of Northwest Automotive Press Association spent two days testing vehicles on paved and off-road routes. Testing took place at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. Journalists tested 20 vehicles from 17 manufacturers to select winners in eight categories: Subcompact and Compact Family, Mid- and Full-Size Family, Compact and Midsize Luxury, Full-Size Luxury, Pickup Trucks, Extreme Capability, Electrified Utility Vehicle and Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year. The overall winner, the all-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, was selected from the category winners to be named the 2022 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year.
All-New 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe
The all-new 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe is the first Grand Cherokee to offer a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) version. Its introduction builds on the success that Jeep has had with its Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The 4xe PHEV technology keeps all of the adventure that the Jeep brand is known for, while providing unprecedented performance, fuel economy and environmental friendliness. The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe offers 25 miles of all-electric range and 56 MPGe from its PHEV system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe has 375 h and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. The vehicle does 0-60 miles per hour in 6.0 seconds and has max towing of 6,000 lbs. When equipped with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, the Grand Cherokee 4xe delivers up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability.
Northwest Automotive Press Association
NWAPA is a professional organization of automotive journalists and media members from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Southwest Canada. Founded in 1991, NWAPA members represent newspapers, magazines, radio stations, media groups, and the internet. Members of the organization have been testing SUVs and crossovers since the the modern sport-utility vehicles debuted in the mid-1990s.
Jeep Photo
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.