Manoli Katakis 
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup debuted last week, introducing a unique blend in power, efficiency and capability with the new Trailhawk 4xe trim level. Considering how much off-road adventuring is woven into the Jeep identity, and how well its been working for the brand, others are – perhaps finally – taking a similar approach by making some of their SUV models more rugged and appealing for the more adventurous among us. Subaru, for example, has introduced the Wilderness variant to the Outback. Chevrolet and GMC have introduced the Z71 and AT4 to the Tahoe and Yukon models, respectively. And Ford Motor Company continues to burrow itself further in that direction with the Timberline trim level to both the Explorer and Expedition SUVs, with expectation for it to expand to other nameplates down the road.
However, Jeep North America President Jim Morrison doesn’t think his competition would be able to follow the 2022 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk very far into the wilderness.
Jeep North America President Chirps The Competition
“I actually feel sorry for (Ford Explorer Timberline) customers that get tricked,” said Morrison in an interview with MC&T. “You can paint a tow hook red. It doesn’t mean that behind the tow hook it would even hold up in the right moment that it needs to.”
This isn’t the first time Jim Morrison took pot shots at Ford. During the recent Detroit 4Fest at Holly Oaks, the Jeep North America President commented that attendees were unlikely to see many Ford Bronco SUVs at the event, on account of the rain and the vehicle’s well-documented roof supply issues.
“We design all of those Trail Rated elements from the ground up… it’s not just a marketing term, it’s capability that’s bred in. You don’t just put stickers and paint on things. We build it in with incredible capability,” Morrison added.
Morrison then pointed us to a photo of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk climbing a slope in the middle of a cragged desert.
“The Timberline would have made it to about *there*. That’s a 65 grade incline, and it wouldn’t have made it by there,” he claimed.
2022 WL Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Details
The new Trailhawk features standard Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires wrapping 18-inch wheels, integrated off-road camera, an updated air suspension with up to 11.3 inches (28.7cm) of ground clearance on its max height setting, improved approach, departure and breakover angles from before, along with an active transfer case, a rear electronic limited slip differential, and a Selec-Terrain drive mode selector. The SUV can be easily identified from the pack thanks to its red tow hooks, and a glare-proof black-and-red matte “Trailhawk” hood decal. On Grand Cherkokee 4xe Trailhawk models, these accents are blue instead of red.
What really separates the WL Grand Cherokee Trailhawk from the others is the following:
- Class-exclusive sway-bar disconnect to allow for improved articulation and traction over rocks and rough terrain; an uncommon feature on unibody designs.
- Selec-Speed Control for managing vehicle speed in 4LO while traversing off-road terrain, allowing for one-pedal driving off-road at low speeds.
- High-strength steel skid plates
- Increased water fording capability of up to 24 inches (61 cm)
Pricing for the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup has not yet been announced.
