2023 Volkswagen ID.4 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 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 strictly as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, offering a range of trims from the base 4xe to the luxurious Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, which we tested, boasted a silver exterior with a contrasting black roof and 20-inch wheels, along with distinctive surf blue tow hooks and blue accents on trail-rated trims.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe defied its rugged reputation, offering a surprisingly upscale feel even in its base trim. The Overland trim, positioned three levels from the top, featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. Despite these luxuries, the interior was marred by an abundance of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point, which raised concerns about durability and noise. Gloss black surfaces added a touch of elegance but were prone to fingerprints and glare. Overall, the Grand Cherokee 4xe provided a comfortable and stylish interior, albeit with some room for improvement in material quality.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including a gloss black front bumper trim and a squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours, along with a rear VW logo that lit up, added to its refreshed appearance. While the ID.4 was unmistakably an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many electric vehicles, including the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 shared its modularity with a range of models, including the upcoming ID.Buzz electric van. The interior retained the minimalist design and quality feel of recent VW gasoline models, with leatherette upholstery and recycled fibre inserts as standard. The base model featured a manual driver's seat, but it didn't feel like a significant downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro AWD. The ID.4's interior offered a sense of quality and comfort, making it a strong contender in the EV market.

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 power was channelled through a standard four-wheel drive system, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a fuel efficiency 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 offered 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range, thanks to its aerodynamic design. An electronic front-axle disconnect helped save fuel by disengaging the engine from the front wheels when not needed. The vehicle featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize battery usage. Regenerative braking with a Max Regen setting enabled one-pedal driving. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also came with two off-road 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its improved fuel economy, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 2,721 kilograms, less than its V6 and V8 counterparts.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a choice between a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro variant. The single electric motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The AWD version accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's driving dynamics were comfortable and refined, though it allowed for some body roll on twisty roads.

Regenerative braking was standard, but VW's approach differed from one-pedal driving, allowing the ID.4 to coast in its default regen setting. The more aggressive "B" setting still fell short of one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts. However, the ID.4 provided a familiar experience for first-time EV drivers, making it an accessible choice for those new to electric vehicles.

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 in its existing seats. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres, providing incremental improvements over the previous generation. Head and legroom were generous in both the front and back, making it a comfortable family vehicle for up to four passengers. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, lowering the vehicle for easier loading and unloading. The standard heated steering wheel was a welcome feature, especially in colder climates.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. With 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, the ID.4 outperformed most entry-level EVs in terms of practicality. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in interior space, it was a standout among affordable EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with a capacity of 1,000 kilograms for RWD models and 1,225 kg for AWD models. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

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 users to personalize screen layouts with various displays and widgets. The Grand Cherokee 4xe came equipped with 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 ran Amazon's Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available from the Overland trim, delivered exceptional audio quality.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 made the 12.0-inch touchscreen standard across all models, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. Software updates improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster provided sharp graphics and a choice of display views. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which replaced conventional buttons, were a source of distraction. The ID.4's voice recognition system offered a more convenient alternative for controlling various functions. The ID.Light feature, part ambient lighting system and part AI assistant, added a unique touch to the driving experience.

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 from 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 yet available.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. While IIHS ratings for the 2023 model were pending, the 2022 ID.4 earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.