2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a fresh design with an 11.6-inch portrait display, chrome trim, and contrasting leatherette, offering a touch of luxury. The Outdoor XT trim added a unique flair with water-resistant upholstery and lime green stitching. Externally, the Outback maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding, chrome flourishes, and adaptive LED headlights, emphasizing its identity as a lifted wagon.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe blended heritage with modernity, featuring the iconic seven-slot grille with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. Available only as a two-row SUV, the 4xe offered trims like the Overland, which boasted leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. Despite some hard plastic materials, the interior felt upscale, with gloss black surfaces adding a sharp look. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's exterior design was both aerodynamic and rugged, with signature surf blue tow hooks and trail-rated trims featuring blue accents.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was defined by its two engine options. The base 2.5-litre flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered its performance, making it slow and noisy. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance and refinement. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance, making it capable off-road with its proactive all-wheel-drive system and X-Mode.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe stood out with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre turbo engine with a 17-kWh battery pack to deliver 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered impressive fuel efficiency, with a total driving range of 719 kilometres and 42 kilometres of all-electric range. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured E Select powertrain modes, regenerative braking, and two off-road 4x4 systems, making it highly capable off-road. However, its towing capacity was limited to 2,721 kilograms, less than its gas-powered counterparts.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. Its interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with ample headroom and legroom, excellent visibility, and clever storage solutions. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, providing easy installation for roof racks.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available as a three-row model, provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with 1,067 litres of cargo space expanding to 2,004 litres with the second row folded. The air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior was comfortable and well-equipped, making it a suitable family vehicle.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, felt outdated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered standard features like SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, though it relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the advanced Uconnect 5 system, offering customization options and a user-friendly interface. It included a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a digital driver information display, and optional rear-seat entertainment screens. The McIntosh stereo system, available on higher trims, provided exceptional audio quality. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's technology package was comprehensive, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard airbags and advanced driver-assist features. It earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, highlighting its crashworthiness and safety technology.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of standard and optional safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a 360-degree camera. While the IIHS had not yet rated the 4xe, the NHTSA awarded the gas-powered Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating.