Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Subaru Trailseeker

What's the difference?

A wise man* once said "Being first can sometimes feel like being wrong" and perhaps that's how it is with the 4xe, but at least Jeep Australia is giving the large SUV hybrid realm a good ol' try.

* Former CarsGuide Big Kohuna, Glen Knowles.

The company's first plug-in hybrid, the Grand Cherokee 4xe, is not perfect by anyone's standards, however, it is a definite move in the right direction.

It's a quiet and refined drive, it retains the brand's renowned 4WD capability, and even its hefty price-tag likely won't dissuade Jeep loyalists from giving it a go.

The Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X were arguably my most-improved cars in recent history and it therefore makes a lot of sense that the Trailseeker is also a lovely car to drive.

I’m particularly taken with the entry-level car which is supremely comfortable and offers a lot of value-for-money in terms of standard equipment and outright space.

A sticking point I come back to though is there isn’t much difference between this and the Solterra. Sure the Trailseeker has a touch more power and a bigger boot, but it has less range and is more expensive. However, I love this all-terrain wagon look and I’d pay that bit extra for it.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.