2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between the classic two-door and the more practical four-door body style. Buyers could select from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a gasoline-powered V6, a turbodiesel V6, a gas V8, or the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid. The standard six-speed manual transmission could be upgraded to an eight-speed automatic, and four-wheel drive was standard across all trims. The Wrangler came in four core trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions like the Willys and Willys Sport, Sahara High Altitude, and Wrangler Rubicon 392. The High Tide model, a US-market special edition, was based on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S trim and included features like LED exterior lighting and a body-colour hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop. Despite its rugged appeal, the Wrangler's interior was basic, with a focus on durability over luxury.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, available in five trim levels in Canada, started at $72,395, with the Summit Reserve trim reaching $91,490 before options. Our test vehicle, the Trailhawk trim, featured a panoramic sunroof, Luxury Tech Group III, and Advanced ProTech Group II, bringing the MSRP to approximately $85,000. The Trailhawk was distinguished by its sky blue exterior detailing and matte-black hood decal, along with unique wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe fell short of luxury expectations, with an abundance of plastic and gloss black surfaces. The leather and artificial suede upholstery were nice, but the overall interior leaned more towards style than substance. Despite its rugged off-road capabilities, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe's interior design and comfort left much to be desired.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. It was equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. According to Natural Resources Canada, the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 consumed 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, but our test vehicle averaged 14.0 L/100 km over 700 kilometres. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique, with a rough-and-tumble feel, frequent fuel stops, and a noisy cabin. Despite its quirks, the Wrangler offered an immersive driving experience that appealed to off-road enthusiasts.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It had a towing capacity of up to 2,720 kilograms. The Trailhawk's 4WD system, Selec-Terrain technology, and height-adjustable air suspension contributed to its impressive off-roading capabilities. However, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's performance fell short of expectations, with an all-electric range of 34 kilometres and an average fuel consumption of 14.6 L/100 km. The driving experience was marred by an unrefined gas engine, uneven power delivery, and a regenerative braking system that made smooth stops difficult. Despite its quick acceleration and impressive ride quality, the Trailhawk's handling felt sketchy due to its fast steering response and all-terrain tires.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler's interior was dominated by plastic and rubber materials, with some soft, padded spots for comfort. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring some acclimation. Visibility was a mixed bag, with excellent views in some areas and compromised views in others. Rear-seat passengers faced entry and exit difficulties, but once inside, they found agreeable accommodations. Storage options were limited, with netting on the lower door panels and a small centre console box. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 898 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,050 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior featured artificial suede and leather seats with eight-way power adjustment. The front seats were firm and relatively flat, while the second-row seats lacked support and rear legroom was tight. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,067 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,004 litres with the rear seat folded down. Despite its midsize SUV classification, the Grand Cherokee's cargo space was smaller than some compact SUVs. The interior design prioritized style over practicality, with limited storage options and glossy surfaces that made controls hard to read.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler's infotainment system was relatively basic, with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system. Our test vehicle included remote engine starting, satellite radio, a passive keyless entry system, and single-zone automatic climate control. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen. The Trailhawk's infotainment system used Uconnect 5 technology, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Jeep Connect services. The system's user interface was simple, but the low-contrast graphics made it hard to read. The Trailhawk also had an Alpine premium sound system, with a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system available on higher trims. Tech-related options included wireless smartphone charging and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group, adding features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. However, the Wrangler's crash-test ratings were mediocre, with a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating in IIHS testing. Safety features were optional rather than standard, and the Wrangler required extra care when driving.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. The Advanced ProTech Group II added features like intersection collision assist and a Night Vision system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, the IIHS rating did not specifically apply to the 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain, and the Grand Cherokee received a Poor rating in the updated moderate overlap frontal-impact test.