New England Journalists Name Grand Wagoneer Official Winter SUV of the Year

If you’re out on the road, you’ve probably seen by now, one, two, or maybe more Jeeps with rubber duckies on the dash. There is actually a kind meaning behind these old-school little duckies you’d typically find in a crane machine or a dollar store. As you are well aware, the pandemic put most of us in a complete life-altering state, to say the least. Finding new ways to socialize and stay busy amidst a time of worldwide shutdown was quite the challenge. Some people took up cooking and music lessons, others started hiking and discovering new hobbies…one person in particular, Allison Parliament, from Ontario, Canada, found a way to spread cheer during this dark time by simply placing a .25 cent rubber duck on or around Jeeps she would come across while she was out and about. Why Jeeps you ask? Allison had always loved Jeeps growing up. She bought her very own Jeep in 2020. And, the Jeep culture is no stranger to having their own formalities, like the two-finger Jeep wave, “It’s a Jeep Thing” language and Jeep clubs, so what’s one more? Her philosophy was quite simple. To leave a positive message in hopes of spreading kindness around the world during a time when socialization was at a standstill. This Duck, Duck, Jeep trend has since spread like wildfire (or pond water?). In less than a year, since its start in 2020, Allison’s random act of kindness has turned into a world-wide sensation. In fact, there are now over 50,000 followers on the social media pages Allison created for this specific act. People are sharing posts of their Jeeps being “ducked” from all around the world. If you want to get in on the action, there are just a few duck rules you must follow. First, you need to purchase some rubber ducks and some tags or sticky notes (Don’t forget a pen or marker). Next, find a Jeep, ANY Jeep…Wrangler, Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, and more. Lastly, place the duck along with a kind message in a spot where the driver will see it. That’s it! You have officially spread kindness in the world. Encourage your friends and family to keep this trend going. If you’re itching to be “ducked” yourself, but don’t drive a Jeep, maybe it’s time you start shopping! There’s no better time than now. Check out our Jeep inventory at Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Feel free to contact us or stop by our Superior location.

Though Jeep previously had 4-door SUVs, the 1984 Cherokee broke out of the niche market of hunters, farmers, and outdoor enthusiasts and into the mainstream. Adding the second set of doors made it a practical family vehicle. The Grand Cherokee followed in 1992 and changed the market again by adding luxury and refinement to the formerly rough-and-tumble segment, with upper trim levels becoming the Jeep brand’s first real luxury offering. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe changes expectations again by adding the sophistication of a plug-in drivetrain to the mid-size SUV segment. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe has prompted many questions, which this Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram post will address. How is the Grand Cherokee 4xe Powered? The Grand Cherokee 4xe replaces the regular model’s 3.6-liter V6 with a powertrain similar to that in the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. It is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 combined with two electric motors. The smaller motor/generator replaces the alternator, adding 44 horsepower and 39 lb-ft of torque. The second, larger motor is mounted to the transmission, producing 134 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. The motors are fed by a 17.3-kWh battery, which in turn is charged by plugging into the grid and brake regeneration. Is the 4xe More Powerful Than Other Grand Cherokee Models? The 4xe is significantly more powerful than the V6-powered Grand Cherokee models. Its total system power of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque greatly exceeds the V6’s 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. 2024 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe What is the Grand Cherokee 4xe’s Electric Range? The EPA estimates that The Grand Cherokee 4xe can operate on just an electric current for 25 miles with a full charge. If this is less than your daily routine and you can charge at home, the Grand Cherokee can run as an EV for much of the time. Jeep has pointed out that a Grand Cherokee 4xe has completed the famous 22-mile Rubicon trail entirely in its EV driving mode. What Kind of Drivetrains Are Available? All Grand Cherokee 4xe models are equipped with Jeep’s Quadra-Drive ® Active On-Demand 4x4 system with Selec-terrain ® Traction Management system. Trailhawk and above models feature the Quadra-Lift ® Air Suspension System. Is the Grand Cherokee 4xe the Most Efficient Grand Cherokee Model? The purpose of the Grand Cherokee 4xe is to provide greater power while retaining efficient operation. Whether it is more efficient than V6 models depends on the length of each trip.  The EPA rates the model at 56 MPGe (MPG equivalent based on power usage) when using both EV-only mode and then hybrid mode when the range has been exceeded. Independent of its EV range, the model is rated at 23 combined mpg while the rest of the Grand Cherokee line is rated at 26. How Quick is the Grand Cherokee 4xe? Car and Driver tested a Grand Cherokee Overland 4xe and clocked a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds before reaching the quarter mile in 13.9 seconds with a trap speed of 100 mph. The quarter mile is 2.1 seconds quicker than that of V6-powered models. They also noted that the 0-60 time is 0.3 seconds quicker than that of the former V8-powered Grand Cherokee model. How Much Can It Tow? The Grand Cherokee 4xe model's maximum towing rating is 6,000 pounds, which is just 200 pounds less than that of the V-6-equipped models. How Long Does it Take to Charge? The Grand Cherokee can be charged with an ordinary wall socket. A full charge from zero will take 8 to 15 hours. A Level 2 home charger should fully charge the battery in approximately 2.5 hours. What Trim Levels are Available for the Grand Cherokee 4xe? Jeep has a complete model line of five trim levels for the Grand Cherokee 4xe. They are: 4xe $60,490 Anniversary Edition $63,485 Trailhawk $66,185 Overland $73,480 Summit $74,670 Summit Reserve $79,150 If your commute or daily driving routine is less than 23 miles, the Grand Cherokee 4xe is a great way to have a comfortable, versatile, powerful, and capable Jeep SUV and essentially say goodbye to gas stations and hello to efficient, emission-free driving. Even if you drive over 23 miles every day, you will find your refueling stops to be infrequent. Yet, you will never have to plan your road trips around charging stations. Pay a visit to Benna CDJR and see how the Grand Cherokee 4xe can bring the wonders of electrification into your life.

The Wagoneer by Jeep has been a great addition to the full-size SUV market, especially as the Jeep Wagoneer name is revered among car enthusiasts. While the Wagoneer models were all-new in 2023, there are some key updates Jeep has made to keep giving buyers the ultimate Wagoneer experience. What’s New For Long Wheel Wagoneer? The Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L remain the same with no major changes for the 2024 model year. What’s New For 2024 Wagoneer? For 2024, all Wagoneer models get the superb Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine as standard. The Hurricane I6 in the Wagoneer produces 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque. The Wagoneer is offered in three trim levels: Wagoneer, Wagoneer Series II, and Wagoneer Series III. What’s New For 2024 Grand Wagoneer? The 2024 Grand Wagoneer features the Hurricane twin-turbo inline-6 engine as standard across the trim levels. The Hurricane motor in the Grand Wagoneer outputs 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Grand Wagoneer Series II now becomes the Obsidian trim. As with the Wagoneer, Grand models are available in three trim levels, including Grand Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer Obsidian, and Grand Wagoneer III. Still All Of What Makes The Wagoneer Great All of what makes the full-size Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and long wheelbase models so beloved by customers remains the same, including being produced in Warren, Michigan, having up to 10,000 lb towing capacity on certain models, three 4x4 modes, Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, along with the Selec-Terrain traction management system. Quadra-Drive II features an electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD). Award-Winning Technology All Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models feature standard heads-up display, frameless digital gauge cluster, premium McIntosh sound system, a 10.25-inch interactive display for the front passenger, Amazon Fire TV built into the rear 10.1-inch screens, and a total of 75 inches of digital screen area. All models have the impressive and award-winning Uconnect 5 infotainment system that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, as well as various new convenience and connected services to keep passengers enjoying the ride. Rear passengers also get their own climate controls, along with Relax Mode, which uses the front screens to display soothing videos of the Aurora Borealis, a fireplace fire, among others, while also playing relaxing audio. Safety Features The 2024 Wagoneer by Jeep also comes with over 130 standard and available advanced safety and security features to keep you and your loved ones safe inside the vehicle in the event of an accident or an emergency. Starting MSRP 2024 Wagoneer by Jeep starts at just $62,945, and Grand Wagoneer models start at $91,190. At Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer some of the best prices and services to all of our customers. With dozens of new and used vehicles to choose from, our great sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our amazing service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.