2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, a hallmark of Korean automotive design. It diverged notably from the rest of the Genesis lineup, featuring the brand’s signature two-line lighting that created an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70 offered six grades in Canada, with the Sport and Sport Plus grades showcasing a sculpted hood and dark chrome finishes, emphasizing its sporty intent. Customers could choose from over 100 colour combinations, thanks to Genesis's direct ordering system, which allowed for creative exterior and interior colourways. The cabin featured an elliptical theme inspired by airplane wings, with premium grades offering quilted leather seats and carbon fibre inserts.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe retained the brand's iconic seven-slot grille, blending heritage with modernity. The plug-in hybrid was available only as a two-row SUV, with trims like the Overland offering leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. Despite its rugged reputation, the Grand Cherokee 4xe felt upscale, though it had an abundance of hard plastic materials. The vehicle's design included signature surf blue tow hooks and optional blue accents on trail-rated trims. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior was spacious, with a focus on comfort and practicality, making it a suitable family vehicle.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. This engine aimed to compete with mid-level performance SUVs like the BMW X3 M40i and Audi SQ5. The GV70 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada, with a rear-axle priority system. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, allowing up to 100% torque to a single rear wheel. The GV70's drive modes included Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, with the latter delivering aggressive throttle response and partial traction control disabling. The electronically controlled suspension system balanced road feel and comfort, while the tight turning radius was advantageous in urban settings.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe's standout feature was its plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt battery pack. This setup delivered 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft 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 fuel economy rating of 4.2 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The vehicle featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, with regenerative braking and Max Regen for one-pedal driving. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's off-road capabilities were enhanced by two 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, with the Trailhawk trim offering maximum ground clearance and water fording capabilities.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized the driver with a tall centre console and intuitive controls within easy reach. The climate controls were configured under a single pane, providing haptic feedback for inputs. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated front and rear seats available on higher trims. The rear passenger space was enhanced by a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, though storage was limited. The GV70 offered 819 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,610 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available as a three-row model, provided ample space for passengers. Folding the second row increased cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior was comfortable, with standard heated steering wheel and ample head and legroom for passengers.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with split-screen capability, though it was slower to respond to inputs. The premium Sport Plus grade included a 3D digital instrument cluster and Blind View Monitor system. A fingerprint recognition system allowed for keyless vehicle start. The GV70 came with a nine-speaker audio system, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system available on top grades.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering customization options like My Pages for personalized displays. The vehicle included a 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display and a 10.25-inch digital driver information display. Optional rear-seat entertainment screens ran Amazon’s Fire TV for Auto. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's 19-speaker McIntosh stereo was available from the Overland trim, providing exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance assist. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing functions. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Overland trim. A 360-degree surround-view camera was standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. The IIHS had not published crash-test results, but the NHTSA awarded the Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating.