2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Volvo XC40

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 gave it a balanced and artistic look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its 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. The Summit trim, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with premium materials, though its design was beginning to show its age.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC40 embraced a more modern approach, especially with its electric Recharge variant. While it retained the basic shape of its gasoline counterpart, the XC40 Recharge featured subtle differences like a solid grille panel and unique badging. The exterior was well-crafted, with details like Thor’s Hammer daytime running lights and a floating roof illusion. Inside, the XC40 showcased Scandinavian design with a spacious and airy cabin, despite its compact size. The interior was harmonious, with a focus on premium materials and a luxury feel, positioning the XC40 Recharge as a genuine luxury SUV.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, an optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was available, producing 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 versatile for both city and trail driving.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge, on the other hand, was powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, driving two electric motors for a total of 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the XC40 Recharge to accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 4.9 seconds. The Recharge featured regenerative braking and a one-pedal drive mode, enhancing efficiency and driving enjoyment. With a range of 359 kilometres on a full charge and fast-charging capabilities, the XC40 Recharge was both efficient and practical. Its lower centre of gravity improved handling, making it stable and planted through curves.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped interior, though the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package was an expensive add-on. The front seats provided eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but offered limited legroom, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee provided 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,934 litres with the seats folded, though this was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge excelled in form and function, with clever storage solutions and a comfortable cabin. The absence of a gasoline engine allowed for a front trunk, providing additional storage space. Inside, the XC40 featured ample cubbies and nooks, with comfortable front seats and adequate rear seating for outboard passengers. The cargo area offered up to 1,628 litres of space with the second row folded, and the XC40 Recharge had a towing capacity of 907 kilograms. The interior design was both functional and stylish, reflecting Volvo's Scandinavian sensibility.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim came with a powerful 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential tech features, it was considered "tech lite" compared to newer models.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge was loaded with technology, featuring a 9.3-inch centre-stack touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The Android Automotive operating system provided built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play store, with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth also available. The system supported over-the-air updates for both infotainment and vehicle software. However, the XC40 Recharge's range reporting system, which displayed a percentage of charge rather than remaining kilometres, was a point of contention, potentially causing range anxiety for drivers.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS testing was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance, among others. The ParkSense parking assistance system was useful in low-traffic environments.

The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were not yet available. The XC40 Recharge's safety features included collision warning and avoidance, blind-spot information, lane keep assist, and a high-strength protective cage for the battery. The vehicle's top speed was electronically capped at 180 kilometres per hour. Volvo's Connected Safety system allowed the XC40 Recharge to share information about road conditions with other connected Volvo vehicles, enhancing safety.