Top 3 Ultimate Hybrid Off-Road SUV Lineup Revealed

Hybrid powertrains are strong in the market. They are emerging as an optimal way to increase fuel efficiency instead of electric vehicles, which have inconveniences such as driving range and charging. Hybrids can combine the engine and electric motor to achieve both performance and fuel efficiency. This is because they compensate for the decrease in fuel efficiency caused by the vehicle’s characteristics, such as large tires, high power, and heavy weight.

This time, we will introduce three off-road SUVs with hybrid specifications to compensate for fuel efficiency shortcomings.

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The first is the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. It has been Jeep’s flagship model for over 30 years since its launch in 1992. This model features both on- and off-road driving ability, providing an excellent driving sensation in both daily driving and rough terrain. The base model is based on the V6 engine, but we can also choose a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model.

In the plug-in hybrid system, the combination of two electric motors, a 14 kWh battery, a 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline turbo engine, and an 8-speed automatic transmission delivers excellent performance. The combined total output is 375 horsepower, and the maximum torque is 65.0 kgf.m. The vehicle is four-wheel drive and can travel about 40 km (25 miles) in electric mode. Combined fuel efficiency is about 9.7 km per liter (22.8 mpg).

The body size is 4,900 mm (192.9 inches) in length, 1,980 mm (78.0 inches) in width, 1,790 mm (70.5 inches) in height, and 2,965 mm (116.7 inches) in wheelbase. The price of the Grand Cherokee 4xe starts at $62,285 for the base trim.

2. Toyota Sequoia

Next is Toyota’s full-size SUV, the Toyota Sequoia, which shares the same TNGA-F platform as the pickup truck Tundra. In the case of the powertrain, it is paired with a V6 3.4T engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. This produces a combined total output of 437 horsepower and a maximum torque of 81.0 kgf.m. Unlike most vehicles in the same segment equipped with a V8 engine to achieve high performance, the Sequoia has a V6 engine but uses a hybrid powertrain to show high output.

The body size is 5,210 mm (204.7 inches) in length, 2,029 mm (79.9 inches) in width, 1,895 mm (74.6 inches) in height, and 3,099 mm (122.0 inches) in wheelbase. Even though it is similar in size to the Chevrolet Tahoe, it only takes 5.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill. The maximum speed reaches 175 km/h (108.7 mph). Combined fuel efficiency was certified as 9.4 km per liter (22.1 mpg) for the rear-wheel drive model and 8.5 km per liter (20.0 mpg) for the four-wheel drive model based on EPA standards. The interior has three rows of seats, and the 8-seater model is standard. We can select a 7-seater model through options. The SR5 series, a rear-wheel drive model, starts at $63,125, and four-wheel drive is optional.

3. Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The last is the mid-size SUV Wrangler 4xe. It is built for off-road use, so four-wheel drive is standard. The plug-in hybrid model combines a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, an electric motor, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This produces a combined total output of 375 horsepower and a maximum torque of 65.0 kgf.m. It is equipped with a 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing it to only travel 33.7 km (20.9 miles) in electric mode. According to the EPA, the combined fuel efficiency is 11 km per liter (27.5 mpg).

Optimized for off-road, the Rubicon X trim has an electronic anti-roll bar on the front wheels to improve rolling and ride comfort. A rear differential is applied to the front and rear wheels, providing perfect off-road driving capabilities. For the interior, a 12.3-inch infotainment display is installed as standard, and it supports a noise canceling function to prevent noise from being transmitted to the interior even while driving off-road. It supports a noise canceling function so that noise is not delivered indoors. The price of the Wrangler 4XE model starts from $ 52,590, and Rubicon X starts at $ 58,640.