2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Toyota Venza

Jeep had a knack for designing cars that resonated with its fans, and the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe was no exception. The vehicle retained the iconic seven-slot grille, now with active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, unlike its gas-powered counterparts that offered a three-row option. The trim lineup included the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with a new High Altitude package announced for extra style.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe felt far from rugged. Even the base trim exuded comfort, and the Overland trim, which we tested, featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the interior had a noticeable amount of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point, which raised concerns about durability. Gloss black surfaces added a touch of elegance but were prone to fingerprints and glare.

Toyota reintroduced the Venza for the 2021 model year, riding on the proven Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform. The Venza measured 186.6 inches long, 73.0 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall, with a 105.9-inch wheelbase. Its modern exterior design featured a deeply scalloped body side and a tailgate bisected by LED lighting. The Venza's nose had a prominent overhang, making it more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures.

Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials and an elegant layout. The layered dash and well-placed touchscreen display added to the cabin's appeal. The front seats were supportive, and the rear seats could comfortably accommodate three adults. The available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim enhanced the sense of space.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and 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-liter V8. The power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, achieving 56 MPGe and a total driving range of 470 miles. The battery provided 25 miles of all-electric driving range, and an electronic front-axle disconnect helped save fuel.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize battery usage. Regenerative braking and Max Regen settings enabled one-pedal driving. The vehicle came with two off-road systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, the latter offering more advanced features for off-road adventures. However, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than the V6 and V8 models.

The 2022 Toyota Venza combined a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with three electric motors, producing 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency. Drivers could choose electric-only (EV) mode for short distances or select among Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, while the main charge came from the gas engine.

The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, similar to the Camry. Its taller body and higher ground clearance didn't encourage aggressive cornering, but it excelled as a midsize family hauler. The hybrid system's transparency in operation meant drivers didn't need to worry about charging infrastructure, making it a convenient choice for those without access to home charging stations.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, was not available as an L model with a third row of seats. However, it offered ample space for passengers in its two rows. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet, providing plenty of room for a family of four. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, making loading and unloading easier.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with good headroom and legroom in both. The second row had 45.2 inches of hip room, accommodating three adults comfortably. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof. Convenience features included an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and an electric parking brake. The Venza offered 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. The My Pages feature allowed users to personalize screen layouts. The vehicle had multiple screens, including a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a frameless 10.25-inch digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad was optional, and four USB ports were standard. Optional rear-seat entertainment screens ran Amazon's Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, offered exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid powertrain required no special attention, making it convenient for those without access to charging infrastructure. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, while the Limited added a nine-speaker JBL audio system and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Both setups included Toyota Connected Services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect. An Advanced Technology Package for the Limited trim included a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Venza also featured a digital rearview mirror and a 5-inch or 7-inch instrument cluster display, depending on the trim.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection-collision assist, night vision, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. A hands-off driver assistance feature suite was announced but required additional hardware. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. It also had eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) suite, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. A blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and hill-start assist were standard on all trims. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.