2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and flared fenders that defined the SUV aesthetic, distinct from the Jeep Wrangler. This design contributed significantly to its enduring success, as it straddled the line between mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models and the off-road-ready Trailhawk. The Summit trim, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with premium materials, though the design was beginning to show its age with outdated switchgear and component fits.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe embraced a blend of heritage and modernity, featuring the iconic seven-slot grille with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. Available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, the 4xe offered a distinct trim lineup, including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, with its silver paint and black roof, showcased signature blue accents and a comfortable, upscale interior with leather seats and wood and metal accents. Despite some hard plastic materials, the 4xe's interior felt modern and comfortable, with thoughtful design elements like white piping on the headrests and bronze contrast stitching.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 provided 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in various driving conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe stood out with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the V8's output. The 4xe offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a fuel economy of 4.2 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres under ideal conditions. The battery provided 42 kilometres of all-electric range, and the 4xe featured E Select powertrain modes for optimized efficiency. The Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems ensured off-road prowess, while the 4xe's electric powertrain offered immediate torque for precise throttle control.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, though the rear seat offered limited legroom for taller passengers. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia, but large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped alleviate this. The Grand Cherokee provided 1,028 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,934 litres with the rear seats folded. However, interior storage was limited, and the rear-seat entertainment system occupied much of the centre console bin.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available as a three-row model, offered ample space for passengers in its two-row configuration. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres, providing more room than the previous generation. The air suspension's quick-down function facilitated loading and unloading, and the vehicle's heated steering wheel was a welcome feature for colder climates.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim included a powerful 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee's technology offerings were relatively basic compared to newer models.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the advanced Uconnect 5 system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The vehicle featured 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 USB ports were standard, and the optional McIntosh stereo system provided exceptional audio quality.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS tests was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of standard and optional ADAS features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. While the IIHS had not yet published crash-test results for the 4xe, the NHTSA awarded the 2022 Grand Cherokee a five-star overall safety rating.