2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its long-standing second generation, which began in 2008, showcasing a mature design that had seen only incremental changes over the years. Its exterior maintained a classic appeal with a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, avoiding the oversized trends seen in other SUVs. The Sequoia's dimensions were substantial, with a height of 1,956 mm, a width of 2,030 mm, and a length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. Despite its dated interior design, the Sequoia's build quality was impeccable, with high-quality materials and tight seams, ensuring durability for family use. The Nightshade Special Edition model, based on the Limited trim, exemplified Toyota's efforts to keep the Sequoia relevant.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe embraced a blend of heritage and modernity, featuring Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was a two-row, five-passenger SUV, distinct from its gas-powered counterparts, and offered in trims like the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, with its silver paint and black roof, showcased a luxurious interior with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. Despite some hard plastic materials, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior felt upscale, and its gloss black elements added a sharp aesthetic. The vehicle's design and features made it a comfortable and capable choice for families.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential, and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its hefty weight of around 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities enhanced by its four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension and optional Fox shocks in the TRD Pro model.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured 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 produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-litre V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD drivetrain contributed to its impressive fuel efficiency, with a total driving range of 719 kilometres. The vehicle offered various E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. The SUV featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The Sequoia's cargo space was generous, with 535 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows down. The vehicle's interior storage options included a large centre console, glove compartment, and door pockets, catering to families' needs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not offering a third row, provided ample space for passengers in its two-row configuration. Folding the second row expanded the cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres, offering incremental improvements over previous models. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, facilitating loading and unloading. Despite the hot testing conditions, the vehicle's standard heated steering wheel promised comfort during colder months, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. However, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with Bluetooth connectivity, provided some modern conveniences. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro trims added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety technologies like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the advanced Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering customization options through the My Pages feature. The vehicle included multiple screens, such as a 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display and a 10.25-inch digital driver information display. Standard features included a wireless charging pad and four USB ports, while optional rear-seat entertainment screens provided additional entertainment. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, delivered exceptional audio quality, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite included pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a full complement of airbags, ensuring passenger safety.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe provided 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 rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims, along with a 360-degree surround-view camera. While the IIHS had not published crash-test results for the Grand Cherokee 4xe, the NHTSA awarded the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee an overall five-star safety rating.