2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

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, offered a luxurious feel with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the interior was not without its drawbacks, as the presence of hard plastic materials raised concerns about long-term durability and noise.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue presented a more conservative design approach, focusing on proper proportions and chiseled styling to convey a rugged sense of purpose. The Rogue was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $30,898 to $43,748, excluding destination charges. The Platinum trim, which we tested, offered a host of upscale features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and a range of soft-touch materials. Despite its appealing design, the Rogue's interior had some shortcomings, such as the lack of ventilated front seats and a key fob design that was difficult to use in low light. Nevertheless, the Rogue's overall design was practical and appealing, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe stood out with 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, offering a total driving range of 719 kilometres. The vehicle's fuel efficiency was notable, with a rating of 4.2 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres under ideal conditions. However, once the battery was depleted, the fuel economy dropped to 10.0 L/100 km. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also offered 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range, thanks to its aerodynamic design. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by two available 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, and the Select-Terrain traction system. Despite its impressive performance, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 2,721 kilograms.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with variable compression technology, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The Rogue's performance was responsive in urban settings, but it lacked passing power on the highway. The CVT's simulated gear changes could feel dramatic, and the engine's three-cylinder configuration resulted in some cabin noise and vibration. Fuel economy was rated at 7.7 L/100 km in combined driving, but our test vehicle averaged 8.1 L/100 km. The Rogue's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires provided modest grip.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered ample space for passengers, with the absence of a third row allowing for generous legroom and headroom. Folding the second row of seats expanded the cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres, making it a practical choice for families. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, facilitating loading and unloading. Despite the hot weather during testing, the standard heated steering wheel was a welcome feature for colder climates.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, designed as a family car replacement, provided comfortable seating for four adults, with the option to accommodate a fifth passenger. The Platinum trim featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, a triple-zone climate control system, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped quilted pleats that felt uncomfortable. The Rogue's cargo space was generous, with up to 1,028 litres available behind the rear seats and 2,064 litres with the seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations, and the hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like the My Pages feature. The vehicle boasted multiple screens, including a 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, while optional rear-seat entertainment screens offered additional entertainment. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available from the Overland trim, provided exceptional audio quality.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen display. The test vehicle included the larger screen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. However, the voice recognition technology was limited, struggling with requests beyond basic commands. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well during testing.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with 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 from the Overland trim, while a 360-degree surround-view camera was standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet published its results.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered an extensive array of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims featured ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, although it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact collisions.