2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 presented a strikingly sporty and sleek design, reminiscent of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It was visually lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the farthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a distinct, hipped appearance. The EV6's voluptuous curves, similar to those on a Porsche 911, added both style and stability. The headlights, with their V-shaped pattern, mirrored the black trim below, which mimicked sealed air intakes. The car's profile was sharp and angular, with a smooth, silken finish, especially in matte silver paint. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating centre console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather, creating a futuristic yet driver-focused environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe maintained Jeep's traditional design cues, such as the iconic seven-slot grille, now with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. 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 featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. Despite some hard plastic materials, the interior felt upscale, with gloss black surfaces adding a sharp look. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's design blended heritage with modernity, offering a comfortable and capable family vehicle.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly in its GT-Line e-AWD configuration, delivered impressive performance with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the EV6 to accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The car's handling was agile, with torque distributed effectively between the motors. The regenerative braking system offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in its maximum I-Pedal setting. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its estimated range. Charging was efficient, with the car accepting up to 240 kW, though real-world charging speeds were lower than Kia's claims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine and a 17-kWh battery pack, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with 42 kilometres of all-electric range. The vehicle's E Select powertrain modes allowed for hybrid, electric, and eSave driving, with regenerative braking available for one-pedal driving. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, providing excellent traction and ground clearance. However, its towing capacity was lower than its gas-powered counterparts, at 2,721 kilograms.

The 2022 Kia EV6 featured innovative design elements, such as pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. The interior offered generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and air vents. However, the cargo space was limited, with 690 litres behind the seats and 1,322 litres when folded. The EV6's towing capacity was 1,043 kilograms, and it included an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available as a three-row model, provided ample space for passengers. Folding the second row increased cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior was comfortable and spacious, making it a suitable family vehicle.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with connectivity options requiring a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots, and the 360-degree cameras provided clear visuals. The head-up display used augmented reality for navigation, and the GT-Line Package 2 included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and remote parking assist.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 system, offering customization through the My Pages feature. The vehicle included multiple screens, such as a 10.1-inch front-passenger display and a 10.25-inch digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad and four USB ports were standard, with optional rear-seat entertainment screens. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, provided exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Kia EV6 came equipped with standard safety features like forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, and driver attention warning. Higher trims offered blind spot monitoring and 360 cameras. However, there were no published test results from safety organizations.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. The NHTSA awarded the Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating, but the IIHS had not published results for the 4xe.