2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a series of updates, including refreshed front styling, new wheel designs, and updated taillights and interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim level added a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The test vehicle featured Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and was equipped with several packages, bringing its price to $44,757 in Canada. Despite the upscale appearance, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations for its price range, with some design choices, like the pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray, being less intuitive.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe maintained Jeep's iconic design elements, such as the seven-slot grille, while incorporating modern features like 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, tested in silver with a black roof, offered a comfortable and upscale interior with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the presence of hard plastic materials raised concerns about durability and noise over time. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior was otherwise well-appointed, with features like a heated steering wheel and air suspension for easy loading and unloading.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While the engine provided adequate power, it lacked the acceleration and towing capacity of the previously available 2.0-litre engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the Terrain's performance within its torque band, but the vehicle struggled with torque steer in FWD mode. The Terrain AT4 offered 20.1 centimetres of ground clearance and was equipped with a four-wheel independent suspension, providing a smooth ride on highways and city streets. However, its off-road capabilities were limited, with the front end scraping on uneven terrain.

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 delivered an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-litre V8 engine. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with 42 kilometres of all-electric range. The vehicle's fuel efficiency was best when the battery was charged, with an electronic front-axle disconnect helping to conserve fuel. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also featured Jeep's E Select powertrain modes and regenerative braking, enhancing its efficiency and off-road capabilities. The Trailhawk trim offered the most off-road capability, with 27.6 centimetres of ground clearance and a maximum wading depth of 60 centimetres.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a spacious interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colour contrast stitching, adding an upscale touch. The rear seat offered ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port for convenience. The Terrain's cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seats folded down. Additional storage solutions were integrated throughout the interior, although some were less practical.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available with a third row, offered generous space for passengers in its two-row configuration. Folding the second row increased cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres, providing ample room for a family of four. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, making loading and unloading easier. Despite the hot testing conditions, the vehicle's standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLE trim featuring a 7-inch touchscreen and the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The larger screen offered connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was highly responsive, accurately handling various prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The vehicle featured multiple screens, including 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 rear-seat entertainment screens available. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, standard on the Overland trim, was praised for its exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, with a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, starting at the Overland trim. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was also equipped with a 360-degree surround-view camera, standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. The IIHS had not published crash-test results for the Grand Cherokee 4xe, but the NHTSA awarded the gas-powered Grand Cherokee an overall five-star safety rating.