2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was crafted as a distinct electric vehicle, diverging from the traditional styling of its gasoline counterparts like the Tiguan and Atlas. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners, offering a unique aesthetic that set it apart from other EVs. The interior combined Volkswagen's minimalist design with a tech-forward approach, incorporating piano black and matte plastic elements. Standard features included a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available in higher trims. Despite its modern design, the ID.4's SUV-like appearance was subtle, raising questions about its appeal to traditional SUV buyers.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe retained the brand's iconic design cues, such as the seven-slot grille, while integrating modern elements like active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, offering a range of trims from the base 4xe to the luxurious Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, for instance, featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. Despite its upscale feel, the interior had a notable amount of hard plastic, raising concerns about durability. The Grand Cherokee 4xe maintained Jeep's rugged appeal while providing a comfortable and capable family vehicle.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two powertrain configurations. The base rear-wheel drive (RWD) version featured a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version added a second motor for a total output of 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The ID.4 prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a smooth ride and balanced handling. However, it lacked aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more traditional driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with a 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-litre V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a standard four-wheel drive (4WD) system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with 42 kilometres of all-electric range. The vehicle included E Select powertrain modes, allowing drivers to choose between Hybrid, Electric, and eSave modes. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also featured regenerative braking with a Max Regen setting for one-pedal driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 provided ample front and rear headroom compared to other EVs, though legroom was average. It offered 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded. Despite lacking a "frunk," the ID.4's interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars. The vehicle featured a unique twist-grip gear selector and standard heated steering wheel and front seats for efficient cabin heating.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available as a three-row model, offered generous space for passengers. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The vehicle's air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. Despite the hot test conditions, the standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced traditional controls. While visually appealing, the touchpads were challenging to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 also featured a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light strip for driver communication.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering customization options like My Pages for personalized displays. It included a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display and a 10.25-inch digital driver information display. Optional rear-seat entertainment screens and a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo enhanced the experience, though the latter was not available on all trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for RWD versions. It offered a range of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. New features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist enhanced safety, with Travel Assist providing smooth lane centring and responsive acceleration and deceleration.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Optional upgrades included blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree surround-view camera. While the IIHS had not yet published crash-test results, the NHTSA awarded the Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating.