2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort. However, over the past 15 years, Buick transitioned to an SUV-centric lineup, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, particularly after its 2018 redesign, positioned itself as a more upscale offering within Buick's SUV range. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh, featuring exterior enhancements like a new grille and updated fascias, while the Avenir trim boasted unique styling elements. Inside, the Enclave offered upgraded materials and a restyled centre console, with the Avenir trim providing additional luxury touches such as climate-controlled seats and distinctive stitching.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe maintained Jeep's legacy of iconic design cues, notably the seven-slot grille. This plug-in hybrid model combined traditional Jeep styling with modern aerodynamic enhancements. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row SUV, offering trims like the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, which we tested, featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, and a sophisticated interior design. Despite some hard plastic materials, the cabin felt upscale, with thoughtful details like bronze stitching and white piping. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's design balanced ruggedness with comfort, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of heritage and modernity.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all trims came standard with all-wheel drive, offering a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave was renowned for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. This setup allowed the Enclave to handle various terrains with ease, providing a serene cabin experience thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, offering good acceleration and a surprisingly engaging engine sound.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup produced an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-litre V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a 42-kilometre all-electric range. The vehicle's efficiency depended on maintaining a charged battery, as its fuel economy dropped to 10.0 L/100 km once the battery was depleted. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also featured E Select powertrain modes, regenerative braking, and two off-road 4x4 systems, making it a versatile and capable SUV for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat, six-way power front passenger seat, and tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated six adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, and the restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears. The Enclave provided generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,758 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not offering a third row, provided ample space for passengers in its two-row configuration. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. Despite the absence of a third row, the Grand Cherokee 4xe served as a comfortable family vehicle, with sufficient head and legroom for all passengers.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information centre, with Premium and Avenir trims offering an 8-inch version. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with additional features available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a customizable interface and My Pages feature. The vehicle 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, with optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on the Overland trim and above, offered exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trims added enhanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and Intersection Assist. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting at the Overland trim. The Grand Cherokee 4xe had not yet been rated by the IIHS, but the NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.