Jeep's First Electric SUV Isn't a Wrangler—It's This Little Crossover

The old Grand Cherokee is out, and the new Grand Cherokee is in. Or is it? Production of the outgoing Jeep Grand Cherokee—chassis code WK2—has ended, according to a Jeep representative, but it can still be found on sale as a 2022 model alongside its replacement, the new 2022 Grand Cherokee WL (the one available, for the first time ever, as a three-row). This overlap of old and new offered simultaneously is nothing new—there's the Ram Classic, for example—and Jeep had mentioned it'd happen when the new WL arrived.But that was over a year ago. That you can still find the Grand Cherokee WK2 on Jeep's website, listed as a new offering alongside the new Grand Cherokee WL, is surprising. So, we checked with Jeep on what was going on, and found out that you can't configure or order a new (old) WK2, which only is available in Laredo E, Laredo X, and Limited trims. You'll need to consult dealerships directly about any remaining WK2 inventory.All vehicles are quite pricey right now, and these "old" WK2s are no exception, at least going by a quick glance at inventory prices. On the configurator, the least-expensive old Grand Cherokee is only $1,345 less than the new Grand. If you're looking for a deal, opting for the outgoing Grand may not be the best bet. If you're craving a WK2, though, there's still hope while inventory lasts. If your search for a WK2 falls short, remember, there's always its platform twin, the (three-row) Dodge Durango.A W-what? A WL-who?Some surprises are good, but others aren't. Here's the bottom line: Know what 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee you're buying because there are two—at least while inventory lasts. To help, here is a quick rundown of the Jeep Grand Cherokee's generations:1st generation "ZJ"  (1993-1998)2nd generation "WJ" (1999-2004)3rd generation "WK" (2005-2010)4th generation "WK2" (2011-2022)5th generation "WL" (2021-22 three-row L)/2022 two-row)Jeep has sold 7 million Grand Cherokees globally since 1992. The new Grand Cherokee runs on a new platform befitting of its new muscular look and offers a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain for the 4xe that pairs a 270-hp, 295-lb-ft turbo 2.0-liter I-4 with a 134-hp, 195-lb-ft traction motor that replaces the eight-speed automatic transmission's torque converter (as well as a 44-hp, 39-lb-ft starter/generator motor that acts on the accessory drive pulley) for a combined 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the PHEV rates at 56 mpg-e combined with 25 miles of all-electric driving range thanks to a 17-kWh battery pack. For the 2023 model year, the 4xe powertrain will be the only way buyers can order a Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. The other WL-generation powertrains carry over from the WK, including the entry-level 3.6-liter V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8.

Everyone by now is familiar with the Radwood formula: Gather a bunch of 1980s and 1990s cars in one place, invite enthusiastic nostalgists who pine for those cars to a location local to them, and encourage attendees to dress in period-inspired outfits. Rinse, repeat. Our latest visit to a Radwood show, at Laguna Seca raceway in California, provided a welcome respite from the Monterey Car Weekend usual. You know, exotics, supercars, and eye-wateringly expensive classics mingling among the idle rich.That's great eye candy for sure, but all the revving V-12s and flashy new metal can be a little exhausting. If ever you could be reminded in real time, over and over again, that you're relatively poor, Monterey Car Week doles out such lessons incessantly. So Radwood and its motley collection of fellow car enthusiasts' more attainable rides—though there are some near-priceless vehicles that qualify for entrance—offer up a dose of pleasant reality. These cars are excellent, obscure, or survivors (sometimes all three), all representative of the '90s and '80s.We walked the show this year, which was hosted by Hagerty in the paddock of Laguna Seca, and snapped photos of some of the highlights for those of you who couldn't make it out to NorCal for the event. 

ram 2500 Full OverviewThere's trail running, and then there's overlanding. The former portends day trips or weekend jaunts; possibly longer trips with primitive tent camping. The latter conjures extended off-grid adventuring where you may need to be self-sufficient for days weat a time while exploring the wilderness on logging trails, forest-service roads, and the like. American Expedition Vehicles seeks to cover the trail-runners with its Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator and Chevy Colorado offerings while offering overlanders the Ram Heavy Duty pickup-based Prospector and Prospector XL.What Is AEV?Founder Dave Harriton got his start stretching his dad's old TJ Wrangler in Montana, did a few more for some friends, then started American Expedition Vehicles. When the company's builds earned design kudos from Chrysler, it found Detroit-area partners to help step up its engineering game. Before long it was cranking out hits like the Jeep Hemi V-8 conversions that predated the Wrangler 392, as well as the Brute and Brute Double Cab Wrangler pickups that presaged the Gladiator. The AEV-designed, GM-manufactured Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition is a factory-orderable $5,750 option package that transforms the desert-runner ZR2 into more of a technical rock crawler. In addition to supplying parts for these GM builds, AEV upfits roughly 800 vehicles per year in its Wixom, Michigan, facility, evenly split between Jeeps (Wrangler and Gladiator) and Ram Heavy Duty pickups (2500 and 3500).What Is the AEV Prospector XL?AEV offers two packages applicable to either the Ram 2500 or 3500: Prospector and Prospector XL. Both get toughened AEV bumpers, a 3.0-inch suspension lift, AEV wheels, plus interior and exterior badging and graphics. Tires are the main difference between the two packages. Base Prospectors get 37-inch tires that fit under stock fenders with Mopar flares. XLs get 40-inch tires that require the fender and rear quarter openings to be expanded by about 3.0 inches (XL is 40 in roman numerals). Choose the XL if you're looking for the ultimate rock-climber/mud-bogger; go for the entry Prospector on a 3500 for max payload capacity when fitting heavy overlanding gear like an in-bed camper. That's because AEV de-rates the rear gross-axle-weight rating from 7,000 to 6,390 pounds for the 40-inch tires, but not for the 37s (our 2500's factory RGAWR of 6,000 is unchanged with either tire). XL versions comprise the majority of AEV's Ram business, with roughly a 60/40 split between 2500/3500. They're almost all Cummins diesel-powered except for Power Wagon upfits (some folks just gotta have those diff lockers). The base Prospector package costs $15,987; the Prospector XL costs $20,999.Chassis ModificationsAt the heart of this upfit is AEV's 3.0-inch DualSport suspension, with the "dual" referring to its goal of improving technical off-road prowess with no penalty to the original ride and handling. AEV accomplishes this trick by maintaining the stock springs and the original suspension geometry. To do this, it relocates the various mounting points for the suspension hardware. The front axle, for example, is articulated down and forward, increasing the wheelbase by 1.6 inches. This saves AEV having to custom make longer versions of the 40-some different Ram springs tailored to every different weight class. AEV also fits a hydraulic-assist steering upgrade to help swivel the giant tires. Our XL was upgraded further with optional AEV/Bilstein 8100 external-reservoir shocks ($2,140) designed to keep their cool and resist the fade that comes from boiling the shock fluid in prolonged hard running in a hot desert. And it all rides on a set of AEV 10- x 17-inch black Katla 10 wheels wrapped in 40 x 13 50R17 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires.Overlanding GearPerhaps the most vital piece of overlanding kit for self-preservation is a sturdy winch. AEV front bumpers are all designed to accept one, but they cost extra. Our AEV Prospector XL featured a Warn 16.5ti with synthetic rope that rang in at $2,711. Nighttime adventuring requires lighting, so we also had $2,801 worth of auxiliary LED lamps that mount to the $1,700 bumper brush guard, plus a set of rear-bumper LED lights ($594). The bed is fitted with a matching spare wheel and tire on a vertical mount ($1,736) that obscures most of the rear-window visibility and blocks the location where a rearview camera would go. We'd opt for the lay-flat spare option (there's no slinging any spare tire larger than stock underneath). A bed rack with crossbars provides a mounting point for a rooftop tent, axes, Jerry cans, etc. And finally, to fortify the underbody we added hardened differential covers front and rear ($381.50 and $409.50) and a breathable intercooler skidplate ($531.50). This all brings the estimated curb weight to within 1,000 pounds of the truck's gross rating, so some judicious expedition packing is called for (or an upgrade to the 3500). Along with some cosmetic upgrades, total AEV optional equipment came to $19,150.50, bringing the all-in price of our well-equipped Laramie to $119,194.50.How Does the Prospector XL Drive?Having recently spent a year in a stock Ram 2500 Laramie Cummins, the most indelible initial impression is how loud the tires are, the sound and vibration even coming up through the steering wheel in turns. This is followed closely by how high the AEV Prospector XL sits. You'll look down on lifted Super Dutys and across at semi drivers. Getting comfortable with the size takes a few miles; sitting so high off the road dulls your sense of speed. So if your natural pace is 10 mph beyond the speed limit, you may frequently find yourself 15 or 20 over. The taller, heavier tires and added curb weight blunt the acceleration, but it's still plenty strong. The added inertia is also noticeable in braking, where stops take more pedal effort than in our long-term Ram 2500. But sure enough, the ride feels almost identical—maybe smoother, thanks to the additional mass (AEV estimates ours weighs just shy of 4.5 tons). That is, until one of these jumbo donuts hits a single-wheel bump and sends a shudder through the steering and chassis. These mud tires don't grip paved corners like the stock tires, but then the stockers can't claw through mud bogs.Off-Roading the Prospector XLHaving mostly wheeled crossovers and stock Jeeps at our local ORV park, we're used to the toughest obstacles being off limits. Not for this rig! Climb any rock or plunge through any bog by simply relying on the tire-tread lugs and the Cummins torque and inertia to power through. Tough dusty ruts, sandy moguls—it doesn't matter. The Prospector XL tackled every path or obstacle with ease, or at least every path physically wide enough to accommodate it. And with the long wheelbase and gigantic turning circle, you must be cognizant of your escape route should a path prove too narrow. We were also impressed by how sturdy everything felt. The AEV Prospector XL took the harshest impacts in stride, and with no expensive sounding noises.How Do I Get an AEV Prospector XL?If you have a low-mileage current-generation Ram (or Jeep) that's never been wrecked, AEV can upfit it for you, but most builds are ordered new through AEV's online configurator and delivered through one of its 100 dealers. The dealer facilitates getting the stock truck built, shipped to AEV for the upfit, then shipped to the dealer. Upfitting typically takes about a week barring supply issues, and tires have lately been in particularly short supply. Buyers can specify unique paint—like the zinc-chromate green on AEVs four 2019 SEMA builds—but this stretches the build to 30 days and adds $13,687.Is the AEV Prospector XL Worth It?That $119,000 price includes a lot of showy bits we could do without. But the engineering is so stout we felt compelled to gin up an ideal build, starting with a strategically optioned 2500 Tradesman Cummins with Auto Level Rear Air Suspension, the Convenience Group, Uconnect 5 nav, Bed Utility Group, and the aux switches for $64,745. Then we spec'd a Prospector with 37s, the Mopar retractable steps ($2,420—they were included in our Laramie, and you need 'em!), AEV's leather and Cordura seat upgrade ($2,205), the smaller light bar ($1,024) plus the winch, intercooler skidplate, diff covers, and a few doodads for a total upfit cost of $29,196. We'd be out the door for $93,941 with the same suspension in a slightly more livable, goes nearly anywhere package with a bit more payload capacity, a quieter ride, and a slightly lower climb.Looks good! More details?2022 AEV Prospector XL Ram 2500 Laramie Cummins Turbodiesel Specifications BASE PRICE $91,679 LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck ENGINE 6.7L/370-hp/850-lb-ft turbo-diesel direct-injected OHV 24-valve I-6 TRANSMISSION 6-speed auto CURB WEIGHT 9,000 lb (mfr) WHEELBASE 150.6 in L x W x H 238.8 x 89.5 x 83.7 in 0-60 MPH 8.0 sec (MT est) EPA FUEL ECON Not rated ON SALE Now Show All