2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

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 grille's forward rake was reminiscent of the classic Wagoneer, blending nostalgia with modernity. 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 marred by an abundance of hard plastic materials, which raised concerns about durability and noise over time. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee 4xe maintained a comfortable and upscale atmosphere, especially with its gloss black accents and bronze contrast stitching.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic with a design that echoed a Japanese bullet train. The Sienna offered a variety of trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, and the luxurious Limited, with the 25th Anniversary Special Edition adding a touch of exclusivity. The Sienna's interior was a haven of practicality, featuring ample storage solutions, a long shelf for personal items, and a spacious centre console. The minivan's three-zone climate control and optional four-zone system ensured comfort for all passengers. The Sienna's dimensions provided generous cargo space, with 949 litres behind the third row and up to 2,860 litres with seats folded. The second-row captain's chairs were particularly functional, offering extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for enhanced legroom. Despite its size, the Sienna was easy to manoeuvre, making it a smart choice for families seeking space and convenience.

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. However, its fuel efficiency depended on maintaining a charged battery, with a more modest rating of 10.0 L/100 km once the battery was depleted. The vehicle offered 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range, aided by an electronic front-axle disconnect for improved fuel savings. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also included E Select powertrain modes, regenerative braking, and two off-road 4x4 systems, making it a versatile choice for both urban and off-road adventures. Despite its fuel efficiency, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 2,721 kilograms, less than its V6 and V8 counterparts.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, plus a third motor for AWD trims. This combination produced 245 net system horsepower, which felt underwhelming for the Sienna's size and weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributed to a less-than-ideal driving experience, with lacklustre acceleration compared to competitors like the Honda Odyssey. However, the Sienna's chassis and steering were commendable, offering nimble handling and a comfortable ride. The minivan's light steering made city driving a breeze, and its drive modes—EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport—provided some flexibility, though EV mode was largely ineffective. Despite its powertrain limitations, the Sienna was enjoyable to drive, especially for a vehicle of its size.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, was not available in a three-row configuration, focusing instead on providing ample space for its two rows of seats. The vehicle offered 1,067 litres of cargo space with the second row up, expanding to 2,004 litres when folded. This made it a practical choice for families of four or fewer, with no issues regarding head or legroom. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, facilitating easier loading and unloading. Standard features like a heated steering wheel added to its appeal, especially in colder climates.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and storage solutions, with a plethora of cubbies, shelves, and bins. The minivan's open cubby below the centre console and long dash shelf provided convenient storage for personal items, while the centre console bin and numerous cupholders ensured practicality. The Sienna's dimensions allowed for 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the seats folded, and a total of 2,860 litres. Although the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor, the second-row captain's chairs offered exceptional functionality, with extending ottomans and sliding capabilities for enhanced legroom. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with extensive customization options. The My Pages feature allowed for personalized screen layouts, enhancing the user experience. The Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted multiple screens, including 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, while optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens offered additional entertainment. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available from the Overland trim, provided exceptional audio quality, though it required an upgrade from the base model.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna relied on an older infotainment interface, lacking the latest technology seen in other Toyota models. Despite this, it offered core features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface included physical buttons, a practical feature often missing in modern cars. However, the system felt outdated and required wired connections for smartphone integration. The 9-inch touchscreen, though not impressive on paper, was adequate in person, and the 12-speaker JBL premium audio system delivered good sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a solid array 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, while blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Overland trim. A 360-degree surround-view camera was standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though IIHS ratings were not available at the time.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These features were part of the Toyota Safety Sense package, enhancing the Sienna's appeal as a family vehicle. The Sienna received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, underscoring its commitment to safety.