2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was a testament to Jeep's commitment to its iconic design heritage. The vehicle featured the brand's signature seven-slot grille, now enhanced with active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. This design element, combined with a forward rake reminiscent of the classic Wagoneer, seamlessly blended the past with the present. 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, in particular, stood out with its silver paint, contrasting black roof, and 20-inch wheels, complemented by signature surf blue tow hooks and blue accents on trail-rated trims.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a comfortable and upscale feel, even in its base trim. The Overland trim, positioned three levels from the top, featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the presence of hard plastic materials below the hip point raised concerns about durability and potential noise issues. Gloss black surfaces added a sharp look but were prone to fingerprints and glare. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Grand Cherokee 4xe maintained a sense of luxury and comfort, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a rugged yet refined SUV.

The 2023 Kia Telluride, on the other hand, showcased fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The X-Line and X-Pro models, which replaced the Nightfall Edition, featured unique grille designs, raised roof rails, and distinctive wheel options. The X-Pro, in particular, was equipped with exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. Inside, the Telluride boasted a modern and functional design, with a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The interior updates included new colours, minor trim changes, and a redesigned steering wheel, all contributing to a more contemporary feel.

The Telluride's interior was spacious and comfortable, accommodating seven or eight passengers depending on the configuration. Premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs added to the luxury feel. The second row featured manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets, while the third row offered more comfort than many competitors. The Telluride's cargo space was generous, with a smart power tailgate and an automatic closing function for added convenience. Overall, the 2023 Kia Telluride combined style, comfort, and practicality, making it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was notable for its 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 power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel drive (4WD) system, achieving a fuel economy of 4.2 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres under ideal conditions. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a 42-kilometre all-electric range. However, once the battery was depleted, the fuel economy dropped to 10.0 L/100 km. The vehicle featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize performance and efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also boasted regenerative braking and two off-road 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride offered Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with an AWD system featuring a low-speed Lock setting for improved traction. The X-Line model achieved an average fuel economy of 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres, while the X-Pro returned 11.5 L/100 km, including off-roading. The Telluride's suspension was raised by 10 mm, improving ground clearance and off-road performance. The X-Pro model, with its all-terrain tires and improved cooling system, increased towing capacity to 2,495 kilograms. The Telluride excelled in both on-road comfort and off-road capability, offering a smooth ride and impressive stability.

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, with the second row folding down to expand cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The Grand Cherokee 4xe provided comfortable seating for a family of four, with no issues regarding head or legroom. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, making loading and unloading easier. Despite the hot weather during testing, the vehicle's standard heated steering wheel promised comfort during colder months.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seating configuration. The test vehicles featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The second row offered manual side-window sunshades, USB ports, and storage pockets, while the third row provided more comfort than many competitors. The Telluride's cargo space was generous, with 601 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,304 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,455 litres with both rear rows down. The smart power tailgate and automatic closing function added convenience, making the Telluride a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. The My Pages feature allowed for personalized screen layouts, enhancing the user experience. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display, a 10.25-inch digital driver information display, and a wireless charging pad. Optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon’s Fire TV for Auto were available. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, standard on the Overland trim, offered exceptional audio quality, though it was not available on the base 4xe or Trailhawk trims.

The 2023 Kia Telluride came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The voice recognition system performed well, though climate control adjustments required manual input. Over-the-air updates kept the system current, and Bluetooth supported pairing two devices simultaneously. The Telluride featured Driver Talk and Quiet Mode, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. New digital-key technology allowed smartphones or smartwatches to function as the vehicle’s key. The Full Display rear-view mirror and optional head-up display added to the Telluride's technological appeal.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Intersection Assist collision mitigation. Rear parking sensors were also standard. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting at the Overland trim, while a 360-degree surround-view camera was standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating, though IIHS ratings were not available.

The 2023 Kia Telluride boasted an extensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a new junction turning system. The Telluride also included blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist were standard. Highway Drive Assist 1.5 and Advanced Highway Drive Assist offered semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Telluride received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were unavailable.