2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

In Canada, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was available in 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 cost, 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, designed to reduce glare. It also boasted unique wheels with all-terrain tires and the Trail Rated badge, signifying its off-road prowess. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with excessive plastic and gloss black surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. While the leather and artificial suede upholstery were commendable, the overall interior leaned more towards style than substance, with controls that were difficult to read and access.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours were introduced, and the rear VW logo was illuminated. Although the ID.4 was easily recognizable as an EV, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 shared its modularity with other models, including the upcoming ID.Buzz electric van. The interior maintained a minimalist design with a sense of quality, even in the base model. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fibre inserts was standard, and the ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with ample legroom and headroom. Cargo space was also generous, with 858 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4's towing capacity was modest but notable for an entry-level EV, with RWD models capable of towing 1,000 kilograms and AWD models 1,225 kilograms. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage.

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 with a 100-kilowatt electric motor. 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 four-wheel-drive system, Selec-Terrain technology, and a height-adjustable air suspension, providing 27.6 centimetres of ground clearance. Despite its impressive off-road capabilities, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's performance in daily driving was less refined. The gas engine sounded unrefined, and power delivery was uneven, with noticeable body lean in curves. The vehicle's all-electric range was estimated at 42 kilometres, but during testing, it only achieved 34 kilometres before the gasoline engine engaged. Fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 14.6 L/100 km in Auto mode. The Trailhawk excelled in off-road conditions, but its handling and ride quality were less impressive on regular roads.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base model with RWD and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro model with RWD or AWD. The RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD version increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version rivalled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lacked the handling finesse. While comfortable and refined, the ID.4 allowed too much body roll on twisty roads. Regenerative braking was present but did not support one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts. The ID.4's driving dynamics were more familiar to EV newcomers, with a focus on comfort and practicality.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe struggled with practical storage and cargo space due to its off-roading hardware and upscale interior design. The Trailhawk trim featured artificial suede and leather seats with eight-way power adjustment, but the interior was only available in black. The front seats were firm and flat, while the second-row seats lacked support and rear legroom was tight. Cargo space was limited, with 1,067 litres behind the rear seats and 2,004 litres with them folded, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. Cargo space was generous, with 858 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded. The ID.4's towing capacity was modest but notable for an entry-level EV, with RWD models capable of towing 1,000 kilograms and AWD models 1,225 kilograms. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the centre console and improved phone storage.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted up to six screens, including a head-up display and dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. The Trailhawk trim featured a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology. The system included 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 voice recognition system was average, and the wireless smartphone charger was optional, even on higher trims.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remaining standard. The user interface featured sharp graphics and a choice of smartphone-like icons or a split-screen view. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, lacking physical feedback. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, but it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was equipped with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and a reversing camera with rear parking sensors. The Advanced ProTech Group II added intersection collision assist, a surround-view camera, front parking sensors, and a Night Vision system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating did not specifically apply to the 4xe model.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating, with top scores in all crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 came with standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. For 2023, the ID.4 added Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.