2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving towards the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90, which debuted as a 2016 model. The 2022 XC90 featured a sleek and athletic design with pronounced wheel arches and a distinctive "Thor's Hammer" LED headlight detail, reflecting its Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90 offered a luxurious "Scandinavian Modern" interior with natural wood and metal trim, and options for leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, available in five trim levels in Canada, was noted for its rugged off-road capabilities and distinctive design elements like sky blue detailing and a matte-black hood decal. The Trailhawk trim, priced around $85,000 with options, featured a panoramic sunroof and advanced tech packages. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with excessive plastic and glossy surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. Despite its off-road prowess, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior design prioritized style over utility, with controls that were difficult to read and access while driving.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, including the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 250 horsepower, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Recharge model boasted an 8.8 L/100 km combined fuel efficiency in hybrid mode and a 29-kilometre electric range. The XC90's driving experience was praised for its minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, especially in the Recharge Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with a 17.3-kWh battery and an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It featured a standard 4WD system with Selec-Terrain technology and impressive off-road capabilities, including a 27.6 cm ground clearance and 60 cm water fording capability. However, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's real-world performance fell short, with an average of 14.6 L/100 km in Auto mode and a disappointing electric range of 34 km. The driving experience was marred by an unrefined gas engine, uneven power delivery, and noticeable body lean in curves.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six- or seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults would find it cramped. The XC90 provided up to 1,855 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded and could tow up to 2,250 kilograms. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample storage and a standard panoramic moonroof. The climate control system performed well even in extreme heat, and the XC90 was equipped with features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, despite its off-road focus, lacked practical storage and cargo space, offering 1,067 litres behind the rear seats and 2,004 litres with the seats folded. The interior featured artificial suede and leather seats with heating and ventilation, but comfort was compromised by firm, flat seats and limited rear legroom. The power liftgate revealed a cargo area that was smaller than some compact SUVs, and the interior design prioritized style over practicality.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. While the system was intuitive, it was occasionally slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, and the Advanced package offered a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system. The XC90 included a Harman-Kardon audio system and multiple USB ports for device connectivity.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a navigation system, and an Alpine premium sound system. However, the low-contrast graphics made the display hard to read, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent. The Trailhawk trim included a front passenger infotainment screen and optional tech features like wireless charging and a digital rearview mirror.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and Volvo's Pilot Assist system. It received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall rating.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and a Night Vision system. The Advanced ProTech Group II added features like intersection collision assist and a surround-view camera. While the Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, it had a four-star rating for driver protection in frontal impacts. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but the evaluation did not specifically include the 4xe model.