2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated into the Volvo family with signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a distinct rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and upscale environment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe maintained Jeep’s legacy with its iconic seven-slot grille, now featuring active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with trim levels including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, with its silver paint and contrasting black roof, offered a luxurious feel with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. Despite its upscale appearance, the interior had a noticeable amount of hard plastic, raising concerns about durability. The Grand Cherokee 4xe combined rugged capability with comfort, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine and a 17-kWh battery pack, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It featured a standard four-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a 42-kilometre all-electric range. It included E Select powertrain modes, such as Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, for optimized efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe excelled in off-road capability with two 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, and a maximum ground clearance of 27.6 centimetres. However, its towing capacity was limited to 2,721 kilograms.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge offered no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to its gasoline counterparts. However, it had less legroom and headroom than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40 Recharge featured clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system’s speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. While the storage cubby was well-designed, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, available only as a two-row model, provided ample space for passengers. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered comfortable seating for a family of four, with no issues in head or legroom. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. Despite the hot testing conditions, the standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models also had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The XC40 Recharge lacked a start button, relying on a key fob for operation.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering customization options through the My Pages feature. 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 ran Amazon’s Fire TV for Auto. The McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, provided exceptional audio quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. It came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model included Volvo’s latest sensor suite, allowing for future driver aid enhancements.

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