2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was a testament to Jeep's commitment to its iconic design heritage. The seven-slot grille, a hallmark of Jeep's design, returned with a modern twist, featuring active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with a trim lineup that included the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, which we tested, was adorned with silver paint, a contrasting black roof, and 20-inch wheels, exuding a sense of rugged elegance. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a comfortable and upscale feel, with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the presence of hard plastic materials in the interior raised concerns about long-term durability.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE underwent subtle exterior changes that might have gone unnoticed by many. The GLE 450e we tested was finished in Twilight Blue metallic and featured 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, adding a touch of sophistication. The interior of the GLE 450e exuded luxury, with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery, natural grain brown walnut trim, and a host of comfort features. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior colour choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality and robust cabin. The GLE's interior was spacious, with generous headroom and legroom, and the light beige upholstery contributed to an airy feel. The GLE's optional third-row seat was limited to certain trims and was best suited for young children.

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, 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 featured a standard four-wheel drive system, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a fuel economy rating of 4.2 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The battery provided 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range, and the vehicle featured E Select powertrain modes for hybrid, electric, and eSave driving. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also boasted regenerative braking and two off-road 4x4 systems, making it a capable off-road performer. However, its towing capacity of 2,721 kilograms was lower than that of the V6 and V8 models.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, with the GLE 450e occupying a sweet spot in terms of performance and efficiency. The GLE 450e's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor produced a combined 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, delivered to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450e accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds, providing swift and confident performance. Its fuel economy was rated at 4.1 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres, with a range of 77 kilometres on electric power alone. The GLE 450e's transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and its suspension provided a smooth and comfortable ride. The GLE's sophisticated steering made it easy to maneuver, despite its size, and the vehicle's overall performance exceeded expectations.

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 ability to fold the second row of seats to expand cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's 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 in colder conditions.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided generous space for passengers in both the first and second rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The GLE 450e's cabin felt light and airy, thanks to its light beige upholstery, and offered excellent outward visibility. Behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row, the GLE provided 630 litres of cargo space, which compared favourably with some rivals. The GLE's optional third-row seat was limited to certain trims and was best suited for young children. The GLE 450e came equipped with a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate. Additional features included a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, and a host of advanced technology options.

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 displays and widgets, enhancing the user experience. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included a standard 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, and optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens were available. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, delivered exceptional audio quality.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with a pair of 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main touchscreen. The system offered touch commands, a control pad, and touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and an improved voice command system. The optional head-up display and augmented reality navigation provided clarity and convenience. However, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel occasionally caused unintended volume changes.

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 rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims, and a 360-degree surround-view camera was standard on most trims. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE came equipped with a comprehensive lineup of active safety features and driver assistance technologies. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and hands-free park assist. Optional features included active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) based on the 2022 model year.