2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2022 Acura MDX was a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, offering a spacious interior that belied its compact exterior appearance. Built on a new dedicated platform, the MDX featured a longer wheelbase, wider body, and an increased dash-to-axle distance, enhancing its elegant design. The Jewel Eye LED headlights and larger wheels contributed to a sportier, modern look. Inside, the MDX boasted a refined cabin with authentic materials like natural wood and genuine aluminum, complemented by high-quality plastics. The dashboard design emphasized cabin width, and the unique gear selection system added a touch of sophistication. The MDX's interior was both comfortable and functional, with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a range of interior themes and exterior colours to choose from.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, particularly in the Trailhawk trim, was designed with off-road capability in mind, featuring sky blue exterior detailing and a matte-black hood decal. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with an overuse of plastic and glossy surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. The leather and artificial suede upholstery were nice touches, but the overall feel leaned more towards style than substance. The interior design prioritized off-road utility, with controls that were sometimes hard to read or reach. Despite these drawbacks, the Trailhawk offered practical features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel, but the overall comfort and luxury were not as pronounced as in the MDX.

The 2022 Acura MDX was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. It featured a new 10-speed automatic transmission and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), which was standard in Canada. The SH-AWD system offered torque vectoring, enhancing cornering feel and control. The MDX's suspension was upgraded to a double-wishbone setup in the front and a revised multi-link suspension in the rear, improving ride quality and handling. The vehicle's overall stiffness and rigidity were significantly improved, providing a solid ride feel. The MDX offered five drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It featured a standard four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and Selec-Terrain technology, offering impressive off-roading capabilities. The Trailhawk's air suspension provided 27.6 centimetres of ground clearance, and the vehicle could tow up to 2,720 kilograms. However, the plug-in hybrid's performance in terms of fuel economy and electric range fell short of expectations, with an average of 14.6 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The Trailhawk excelled off-road but struggled with refinement and handling during daily driving.

The 2022 Acura MDX offered versatile interior space, with comfortable seating for the first two rows and a removable centre section in the second row. The third row was best suited for smaller passengers, but the sliding rows allowed for flexible cargo capacity. The MDX provided between 461 and 512 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 2,690 litres with the second row folded. The power tailgate featured a "Walk Away Close" function and customizable interior lighting with 27 themes.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while equipped with artificial suede and leather seats, lacked practical storage and cargo space. The front seats were firm and flat, and the rear legroom was tight. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,067 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 2,004 litres with the rear seat folded. This cargo capacity was smaller than some compact SUVs, limiting its utility for larger loads.

The 2022 Acura MDX featured the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System in higher trims, offering 16 speakers and 710 watts of amplification. The MDX came with a 12.3-inch infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument panel was configurable, and the vehicle offered Amazon Alexa integration and over-the-air updates. A head-up display and surround-view camera were available on higher trims.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a WiFi hotspot. The Trailhawk featured an Alpine premium sound system, with a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system available on higher trims. However, the infotainment system's graphics and voice recognition were not as user-friendly as expected.

The 2022 Acura MDX was rated as a "Top Safety Pick +" by the IIHS, with top marks in every category. It featured a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an advanced safety structure. The MDX included a low-speed braking control system, collision mitigation throttle control, and the AcuraWatch suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Advanced ProTech Group II added features like intersection collision assist and a Night Vision system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rating did not specifically apply to the 4xe model. The vehicle's lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were not as refined as desired.