2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, available in Canada, offered a range of five trim levels, starting with the base model and moving up to the Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Prices began at $72,395, with the Summit Reserve reaching $91,490 before options. The Trailhawk trim, which was tested, featured a panoramic sunroof, Luxury Tech Group III, and Advanced ProTech Group II, bringing the MSRP to approximately $85,000, including destination charges. Despite its high price, the Grand Cherokee 4xe did not qualify for Canada's EV sales incentives. The Trailhawk was distinguishable by its sky blue exterior detailing and matte-black hood decal, along with unique wheels and all-terrain tires. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with excessive plastic and glossy surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. While the leather and artificial suede upholstery were commendable, the overall interior design prioritized style over utility, making some controls difficult to read and access.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX boasted a commanding presence with its large spindle grille, 206 millimetres of ground clearance, and a total height of 1,885 millimetres. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colours. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blocky designs. The interior, however, was marred by a significant amount of plastic, which detracted from its luxury appeal. The GX's low sales volume meant Lexus needed to maintain easy manufacturing to justify its existence. Nevertheless, the GX offered luxury touches such as heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 2,720 kilograms. The Trailhawk trim came with a standard 4WD system, Selec-Terrain technology, and a height-adjustable air suspension, providing impressive off-road capabilities. However, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's performance in daily driving was less impressive, with an unrefined gas engine, uneven power delivery, and noticeable body lean in curves. The vehicle's all-electric range was estimated at 42 kilometres, but real-world testing showed a shorter range. Despite its off-road prowess, the Grand Cherokee 4xe struggled to meet expectations in terms of fuel economy and overall driving experience.

The 2023 Lexus GX was powered by a naturally aspirated 4.6-litre V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 offered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery, it lagged behind more modern engines in terms of performance and fuel economy. The GX's towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, but its fuel consumption was high, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 14.5 combined. The GX's weight contributed to its predictable but noticeable body roll in corners. Despite its age, Lexus continued to refine the GX's driving dynamics, offering a communicative road feel and strong brakes. The GX's 4WD system, with a Torsen limited-slip differential, provided user-friendly handling in various conditions.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe struggled with practical storage and cargo space, partly due to its off-roading hardware. The interior featured artificial suede and leather seats with eight-way power adjustment, but the seating comfort was lacking, with firm front seats and low-mounted second-row cushions. Rear legroom was tight, and the cargo space was limited, with 1,067 litres behind the back seat and a maximum of 2,004 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space for small items, with a deep centre console bin and convenient cupholders. The GX retained physical controls, which were appreciated by those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens. The centre console lid featured adjustable sliding mechanisms, and the second row provided good legroom and headroom. However, the third row was too tight for regular use, and the side-hinged trunk door required effort to open. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 328 litres behind the rear seats and a maximum of 1,832 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, the graphics were low-contrast, making the display hard to read. The Trailhawk trim included an Alpine premium sound system, with a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system available on higher trims. The wireless smartphone charger was optional, even on top trims.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an improvement over the previous system, with standard integrations like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the infotainment technology felt dated compared to other Lexus models, with lagging touchscreens and less crisp graphics. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, and various driving-focused technologies.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came equipped with a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Advanced ProTech Group II added intersection collision assist, a surround-view camera, 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, although the latter did not specifically test the 4xe version.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included the Lexus Safety System+ with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date, providing a level of reassurance to drivers.