2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler aesthetic, with its rugged exterior features like the exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, rounded headlights, and the iconic seven-slot grille. The only noticeable differences indicating its plug-in hybrid nature were the blue decals, badging, and the charger port on the driver’s side front quarter panel. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a mix of leather and cloth seating options, with the top-tier Unlimited Rubicon featuring optional leather seats with the Rubicon logo. However, the lack of standard heated seats in Canada was surprising, and ventilated seats were not available. The interior was a blend of Dark Saddle brown leather, black leather inserts, and a significant amount of black plastic, which was typical for a Wrangler.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe blended traditional Jeep design cues with modern touches. The seven-slot grille returned with active shutters for improved aerodynamics, and the vehicle was available in two-row versions only. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of trims, with the Overland trim featuring leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. Despite the upscale feel, there was still a notable amount of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point. The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s interior was spacious and comfortable, with a quick-down air suspension feature for easy loading and unloading. The vehicle’s design and features made it a comfortable and capable family vehicle.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler 4xe was trail-rated, featuring a Selec-trac two-speed transfer case for the Sahara grades and a Rock-trac transfer case for the Rubicon. It offered solid front and rear axles, available locking differentials, and up to 27.4 cm of ground clearance. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain provided an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes available for battery management. The Wrangler 4xe delivered a burst of energy from a stop, but it wasn’t the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe also featured a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine paired with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with an electric-only range of 42 kilometres. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included an electronic front-axle disconnect for improved fuel efficiency and the same E Select powertrain modes as the Wrangler 4xe. It featured two off-road 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, with the latter offering more aggressive off-road capabilities. The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s electric powertrain provided immediate torque, making throttle control easier in slow-speed maneuvers. However, its towing capacity was lower than the V6- and V8-powered models.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, resulting in minimal loss of second-row space. Headroom for the Sahara grades was 1,023 mm, while legroom was slightly compromised at 970 mm. The Wrangler 4xe offered 784 litres of cargo space with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded. The vehicle’s width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings. The Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof, allowing for easy operation at speeds up to 96 km/h. However, the placement of power window controls on the centre stack was a quirk that might confuse new Jeep drivers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, available only as a two-row model, offered ample space for passengers. Folding the second row increased cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The vehicle provided sufficient head and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The air suspension’s quick-down function facilitated loading and unloading. Despite testing the vehicle on a hot day, the standard heated steering wheel was noted as a valuable feature for winter conditions.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system was intuitive, with a combination of touch layout and hard buttons for critical functions. The Wrangler 4xe included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster was not fully digital, featuring a traditional tachometer and a 7-inch colour information display. The vehicle had four USB ports but lacked a wireless phone charging pad.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the Uconnect 5 system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. It included 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. Optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon’s Fire TV for Auto were available. The Grand Cherokee 4xe’s 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, standard on the Overland trim, was highly praised for its audio quality.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it received a Marginal rating in the driver’s side small overlap front test and rear passenger head protection. The NHTSA rated the Wrangler with four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. Safety features included optional blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic detection, and advanced safety features in the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages.

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, lane-keeping assist, and rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting at the Overland trim. A 360-degree surround-view camera was standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. The NHTSA awarded the Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating, while IIHS results were pending.