2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Volvo XC90

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 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, which we tested, boasted a silver exterior with a contrasting black roof and 20-inch wheels, along with signature surf blue tow hooks. 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 durability and noise over time.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution in Volvo's design language. The XC90's exterior was purposeful yet understated, with a bold grille and distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. Our test vehicle, in Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Grey paint with brown undertones. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and sophisticated look. However, the XC90's interior also had its drawbacks, with limited cubby space and a lack of dedicated storage for smaller items.

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 battery provided 42 kilometres of all-electric driving range, and the vehicle included E Select powertrain modes for hybrid, electric, and eSave driving. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also featured regenerative braking and two off-road 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, for enhanced off-road capability. However, its towing capacity was limited to 2,721 kilograms.

The 2023 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, introduced the new B6 engine with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B6 powertrain produced 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, offering a smoother operation and slightly improved fuel efficiency. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery pack to power a 13-volt starter generator, reducing the load on the engine. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's insulation kept road and wind noise at bay, and the brakes provided a solid pedal feel. While the XC90 lacked extensive off-road features, it offered a straightforward driving experience with minimal drive modes.

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 provided ample space for passengers, with the second row offering generous head and legroom. Folding the second row expanded the 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 standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder months.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a comfortable second row, but accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The third row provided limited space, and the cargo capacity was 356 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1,183 litres with the third row folded, and 1,856 litres with all rear seats down. These figures fell short compared to some competitors. The XC90's smaller size contributed to its nimble driving dynamics, but it also meant less interior space compared to typical three-row SUVs.

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 screen layouts, enhancing the user experience. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display, a 10.25-inch digital driver information display, and a wireless charging pad. Optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon's Fire TV for Auto were available. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, standard on the Overland trim, delivered exceptional audio quality.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offering included a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, with natural-language recognition enhancing the user experience. The XC90 also allowed for voice commands via Google Home devices. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions could be frustrating, and more physical buttons would have been appreciated. Keyless entry was standard, and a head-up display was optional.

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, lane-keeping assist, and Intersection Assist collision mitigation. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available starting at the Overland trim. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not yet published its crash-test results.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in 2022. Standard safety tech included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. These features supported Volvo's Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and provided gentle lane corrections. The XC90's safety reputation was further bolstered by Volvo's history of innovation, including the invention of the three-point seat belt.