NWAPA Names Jeep® Grand Cherokee 4xe Its “2022 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year”!

The Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) has named the all-new 2022 Jeep® Grand Cherokee 4xe its “2022 Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year”. The first-ever electrified Grand Cherokee won 3 of the 8 vehicle categories.

Founded in 1991, NWAPA includes 45 voting members representing newspapers, magazines, radio stations, media groups, and the internet. Members of the organization have been testing SUVs and crossovers since the advent of the modern sport-utility vehicle in the mid-1990s. Non-voting NWAPA members include representatives from automotive manufacturers and related industry professionals.

“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.” 

In addition to taking overall top honors, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe earned wins in the Electrified Utility Vehicle and Mid- and Full-Size Family categories. This is the first time in the event’s 27-year history that a vehicle has captured the Overall, Electrified Utility Vehicle, and Mid- and Full-Size Family categories at once. 

The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe offers 25 miles of all-electric range and 56 MPGe from a PHEV system that delivers 375 hp, 470 lb.-ft. of torque, 0 to 60 mph in 6-seconds, and max towing of 6,000 lbs. The Grand Cherokee 4xe comes standard with a two-speed transfer case, 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, and 47.4:1 crawl ratio. 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.  

“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 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 NWAPA 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.

On another note, MoparInsiders.com is slowly rolling out a dedicated new “global” owners forum for the 4xe portfolio of vehicles. There, owners will be able to communicate, get the latest 4xe news, rumors, and information, and be able to share the modifications of their rigs. The 4xeForum.com will be up and running shortly, so be sure to subscribe.