Less than a month after issues surfaced with the model in the U.S., the SUV has also been dropped from the lineup in Brazil.
Jeep’s Brazilian division has effectively closed the chapter on the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. Less than a month after the model ran into trouble in the United States, the SUV was also removed from sale in Brazil. Since 2024, it had been the most expensive Jeep on the local market, priced at 549,990 Brazilian reals (roughly $110,000), and it was offered in just one fully loaded configuration, with no trim-level choices.
For the Brazilian market, the Grand Cherokee long served as a status-defining model for the brand. Back in the 1990s, when imported vehicles were at the height of their appeal, the Grand Cherokee—specifically the ZJ generation—became a visible symbol of wealth. In 1993, it was a popular choice among affluent buyers and celebrities alike, cementing its image as a “premium Jeep.”
In its current generation, however, the model no longer relies on the old inline-six or V8 engines. Instead, Jeep bet on a combination of a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an electrified system, which also includes an electrically assisted rear axle. On paper, the specs look respectable—but they weren’t enough to justify the price tag.
In many ways, the situation mirrors what happened with the Compass 4xe. In a segment where buyers are already accustomed to EVs, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids—especially from Chinese brands—the Grand Cherokee 4xe ended up being simply too expensive. Against more aggressively priced competitors, a traditional brand struggled to keep customer interest. It’s also worth noting that when the model was first discussed at launch in mid-2022, pricing was expected to start around 350,000 reals (about $70,000). That level—roughly double the price of entry-level midsize crossovers—ultimately scared off many potential buyers.
The exit of the Grand Cherokee isn’t an isolated case. Late last year, Stellantis—the group behind Fiat, Jeep, Ram, and other brands—carried out a noticeable cleanup of its plug-in hybrid lineup. According to The Drive, production lines for the Chrysler Pacifica, Wrangler, and Grand Cherokee PHEV versions were shut down.
The official reasoning is straightforward: Stellantis sees more value in electrified solutions that are more competitive and better aligned with customer demand, such as:
Instead of complex and heavy PHEVs, the group is ready to push simpler hybrid architectures. A good example is the new Cherokee shown at last year’s São Paulo Auto Show. It pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission and two electric motors. The electric system is powered by a small 1.08 kWh battery, charged by the engine and through regenerative braking.
With the Grand Cherokee 4xe gone, it’s reasonable to expect the Cherokee HEV to take over as the brand’s flagship imported model. Its auto show appearance was likely more than a simple showcase—it may have been a way to gauge public interest and long-term potential.
At the moment, Jeep doesn’t offer any electrified models in Brazil, but the brand is already planning to expand the lineup using vehicles currently on sale. The approach will be more cautious this time. At least initially, the focus will be on mild-hybrid systems—slightly more advanced than the 12-volt setups already used by Fiat and Peugeot, but still not capable of driving the vehicle on electric power alone.
The debut is expected to coincide with the facelifted Jeep Renegade, which has already been spotted in testing. The same system should later appear in the Compass and Commander paired with the 1.3-liter T270 engine.
first candidate: Renegade (facelift)
next: Compass and Commander with the 1.3 T270
The only Jeep expected to receive the same 12-volt system used in the Fiat Pulse and Fastback is the Avenger. Built on the CMP platform (shared with the Peugeot 208 and the Citroën C3 lineup), it is expected to use the same 1.0-liter T200 engine.