The Grand Cherokee L hits new territory … except with powertrain choice.

AN engine that has been a stalwart of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep product for more than a decade will continue duty in the long-awaited new-generation Grand Cherokee, set to land mid-year, though a more modern reinforcement is coming.

Full allegiance to the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 that debuted back in 2010 in the United States only counts for the seven-seater Grand Cherokee L that kicks off the latest line’s introduction.

A five-seat Grand Cherokee coming later in the year is expected to meet Greener requirements, with a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine coming as an option to the V6.

The Pentastar, however, is the only choice for Grand Cherokee L. The 5.7-litre V8 engine model that is available in the US seems unlikely to be reconfigured for right hand drive export and the six-cylinder diesel that enjoyed strong Kiwi support on the previous generation Grand Cherokee been cancelled.

Jeep’s distributor, Ateco, has indicated to a NZ media outlet that the new big rig’s market release is timed with that announced for Australia yesterday, but it’s not clear if we achieve the same three-tier line-up as the neighbour and local pricing is not being discussed.

Were the Australia market pricing plan emulated in this country, the car would start at around $88,500.

As previously mentioned, the Grand Cherokee L is the first three-row model in the history of this nameplate and is significantly larger and offers more technology than the predecessor model.

Australia sees an entry Night Eagle, a Limited and a flagship Summit Reserve.

Outputs of 210kW and 344Nm are claimed and all seven and five-chair types types use a common eight-speed automatic transmission, though the Summit Reserve has a more advanced four-wheel-drive system.

The new Grand is larger than its predecessor, measuring in at 4910mm long and 2150mm wide, with a 2964mm wheelbase.

Boot space has risen by 40 litres to 1068L – though overseas’ commentators believe that measurement was recorded up to the roof, rather than to the window line – while there's also more space for passengers in both rows.

Standard features include an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, electric front seats, LED headlights, leather trim, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a full suite of active safety features.

The Limited adds a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen, upgraded leather seats, a nine-speaker sound system and other extras. Summit Reserve scores best quality leather, 21-inch wheels, a McIntosh sound system, front-seat ventilation and massaging, four-zone climate control and air suspension.

The five-chair Cherokee that will follow pairs, in 4xe PHEV form, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with two electric motors and a 17kWh battery pack, for combined outputs of 280kW and 637Nm.

Jeep claims it’ll achieve an optimal 40km of pure electric driving range and a combined fuel economy rating of 4.1 litres per 100km. Total range is cited as 708km.

The powertrain has Hybrid, Electric and eSave modes; the last designed to ‘hold’ the battery charge level until it is needed. A set of motor-generator units replace the alternator and transmission torque converter, while underbody skid plates and water sealing allow it to have the same 610mm wading depth as other versions.

Jeep says the plug-in hybrid 4xe variant can tow up to 2720kg braked, increasing to 2812kg in the 3.6-litre V6.