2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its generic appearance, blending seamlessly with other compact crossovers in the market. Its design, characterized by a similar "daylight opening" as its competitors, offered little to distinguish it from the crowd. While the CR-V did feature a unique grille and some chromed plastic elements, these details were not enough to make it a standout choice for those prioritizing aesthetics. The colour palette was limited, with a predominance of neutral tones, making vibrant options like Radiant Red a rarity on dealership lots. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and upscale touches like wood panels and chrome, but it still lagged behind competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson in terms of distinctive styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe embraced its heritage with iconic design elements like the seven-slot grille, blending past and present with features like active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with a trim lineup distinct from its gas-powered siblings. The Overland trim, for instance, featured luxurious touches such as leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. Despite some hard plastic materials, the interior felt upscale, especially with the inclusion of gloss black elements. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's design was both functional and stylish, appealing to those who appreciated Jeep's legacy and modern comforts.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for thrilling acceleration or sporty handling. Instead, it offered smooth and steady performance with its 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower. This powertrain, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided predictable cornering and a comfortable ride, though it lacked the engagement found in competitors with conventional transmissions. The CR-V's acceleration to 100 km/h in about 8 seconds was adequate for daily driving, and its suspension setup ensured decent handling and ride quality. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option, aligning with most competitors in its class.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, on the other hand, boasted a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine and a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing even Jeep's 5.7-litre V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a standard four-wheel drive system managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a total driving range of 719 kilometres. Its fuel efficiency was notable, with a rating of 4.2 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres under ideal conditions. The vehicle also offered 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range, making it the most fuel-efficient Grand Cherokee ever built. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, providing exceptional traction and control.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4, with a total cargo volume of 1,065 litres when the rear seats were folded. Access to the cargo area varied by trim, with options ranging from a manual tailgate to a hands-free power tailgate. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing the CR-V's practicality for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available as a three-row model, provided generous space for passengers and cargo. Folding the second row expanded the cargo area from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres, offering incremental improvements over previous generations. The air suspension's quick-down function facilitated loading and unloading, while features like a heated steering wheel added comfort. The Grand Cherokee 4xe served as a capable family vehicle, accommodating up to four passengers comfortably.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came equipped with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Audio options varied by trim, with the Touring trim featuring a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant, with USB and 12-volt outlets available throughout the cabin. The Touring trim also introduced a wireless phone charger, enhancing convenience for tech-savvy drivers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The vehicle boasted multiple screens, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display and a 10.25-inch digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad and four USB ports were standard, while optional rear-seat entertainment screens offered additional entertainment options. The McIntosh stereo system, available on higher trims, provided exceptional audio quality, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. While it didn't achieve the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to headlight and side crash test scores, it still offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. The Honda Sensing system included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more, with blind spot monitoring available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a mix of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree surround-view camera were available on higher trims. While the IIHS had not yet published crash-test results for the Grand Cherokee 4xe, the NHTSA awarded it a five-star safety rating.