2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 were the blue decals, badging, and the charger port on the driver’s side front quarter panel, which subtly indicated its plug-in hybrid nature. 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 black plastic, maintaining the rugged feel expected from a Wrangler.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an elegant and elongated version of the standard Grand Cherokee, with a 29 cm longer body to accommodate third-row seating. The design was sleek, with a modernized lighting system and improved paint finish and panel fit. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was luxurious, featuring dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and Palermo leather seating. The tactile quality was reminiscent of a Mercedes, offering a premium feel. The spacious interior provided ample room for passengers, even in the third row, and the panoramic roof and large windows enhanced the sense of space. However, the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be on high, which was quite loud.

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 lb-ft of torque. This setup was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing a trail-rated experience with features like a Selec-trac or Rock-trac transfer case, solid axles, and a fully articulating suspension. The Wrangler 4xe offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes to manage battery usage. The regenerative braking system allowed for near one-pedal driving, and the electric motors provided a burst of energy from a stop. However, the Wrangler 4xe was not the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two engine options: a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and a 5.7-litre V8, both with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6, with 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, felt underpowered for the vehicle's size, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available on higher trims, provided 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, offering a more satisfying performance. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, with a stellar ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided adjustable ride heights and improved handling. The Grand Cherokee L was optimized for on-road comfort, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,265 kilograms.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing the loss of second-row space. Headroom and legroom were slightly compromised compared to gas-only models, but the difference was minimal. Cargo space was reduced, with 784 litres available with the seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded. The Wrangler 4xe's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings, and a home charging cable was included. The optional power-retracting roof was a convenient feature, allowing for easy operation at speeds up to 96 km/h.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek interface and physical switches for climate and audio controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch screen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with captain's chairs as standard in the second row. The panoramic roof and large windows enhanced the spacious feel, but the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be on high. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was luxurious, with features like a wireless phone charging bin and a large central cubby.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. The system was intuitive, with hard buttons and dials for critical functions. The Wrangler 4xe included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster was a mix of traditional and digital displays, with a 7-inch colour information display. However, there was no wireless phone charging pad, which was surprising for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, and a 360-degree camera system. The Active Driving Assist system provided steering assistance on highways. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind spot monitoring. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking and a rear-facing camera for monitoring the second and third rows.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wrangler models, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, the driver’s side small overlap front test returned a Marginal result due to a tip-over incident. Rear passenger head protection was also rated as Marginal. The NHTSA rated the Wrangler with four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. Safety features were limited, with blind spot monitoring and rear park assist standard only on the Unlimited Sahara High Altitude.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with additional options available on higher trims.