2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

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. 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, in particular, offered a luxurious interior 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 durability and noise over time.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its modern design from the 2022 model year, with minimal changes except for the introduction of the Rock Creek trim. The Pathfinder's exterior design combined futuristic elements with traditional styling, resulting in a vehicle that remained relevant over time. Inside, the Pathfinder offered a clean and sensible layout, with trims ranging from S to Platinum. The Rock Creek trim added rugged features like an off-road tuned suspension and water-repellent interior. The Pathfinder's interior was spacious, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the first two rows, and a third row suitable for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain's chairs and a removable centre console, enhancing versatility.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was powered by 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 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 under ideal conditions. The vehicle also provided 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's off-road capabilities were enhanced by two available 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, and the Select-Terrain traction system.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power boost, with 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission to standard all-wheel drive. The Pathfinder's off-road capabilities were bolstered by the Rock Creek's off-road shocks and tires, although this resulted in a rougher ride on paved roads. The Pathfinder featured a rotary drive mode dial with various settings, including Eco, Sport, and All-Terrain modes. The vehicle's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, with the Rock Creek and other trims (except the base model) offering up to 2,720 kilograms.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, was not available in a three-row configuration. However, it offered ample space for passengers, with cargo space expanding from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres when the second row was folded down. The vehicle's air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, making loading and unloading easier. Despite the hot weather during testing, the Grand Cherokee's heated steering wheel was noted as a valuable feature for colder climates.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided up to 2,279 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, cargo space was 1,274 litres, and with all seats upright, it offered 470 litres. The Pathfinder's interior was spacious, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the first two rows. The third row was suitable for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console. The Rock Creek's roof racks were practical, capable of holding up to 100 kilograms, although their proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The vehicle 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, with optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens available. The Overland trim and above offered a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, praised for its audio quality.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, with real buttons and dials, although some found the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SV trim added a third-row USB port, while the SL trim included wireless device charging.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a mix of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting at the Overland trim. The vehicle received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), although the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not published crash-test results.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and ProPilot Assist. The SV trim added front parking sensors and a 360-degree parking monitor, while the SL trim included traffic-sign recognition. The Pathfinder was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, and the 2022 model received high safety ratings from the NHTSA.