Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA had a modernized look with its new generation, fitting neatly as the smallest SUV in the Mercedes lineup. Its proportions and styling were distinct, making it clear where it stood among its larger siblings like the GLS, GLE, GLC, and GLB. The GLA was slightly larger than its predecessor, with a taller stance and shorter length, giving it a beefier appearance. Despite its small windows, the seating positions provided ample visibility. However, the interior left much to be desired, with less-than-premium surfaces and a lack of luxury compared to other crossovers. The seats were well-appointed, but the overall interior quality was comparable to mass-market models like the Buick Encore GX or Nissan Qashqai.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe blended heritage with modernity, featuring the iconic seven-slot grille with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with a trim lineup distinct from its gas-powered counterparts. The Overland trim, with its silver paint and black roof, offered a comfortable and upscale interior with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the presence of hard plastics was noticeable, raising concerns about durability. The gloss black materials added a sharp look but were prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered three variants: the GLA 250 4MATIC, AMG GLA 35, and AMG GLA 45. The GLA 250 4MATIC was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The AMG GLA 35 and AMG GLA 45 offered more power, with 302 hp and 382 hp, respectively. The GLA's AWD system could be adjusted through various drive modes, but the GLA 250 struggled with turbo lag and road noise, affecting its overall performance.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine and a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. It delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-litre V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with 42 kilometres of all-electric range. It featured E Select powertrain modes, regenerative braking, and two off-road 4x4 systems. The Trailhawk trim provided maximum off-road capability with 27.6 centimetres of ground clearance. However, its towing capacity was lower than the V6 and V8 models.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered a more SUV-like seating position with its added height. Front passengers enjoyed excellent headroom and legroom, while the rear seats provided more legroom than before. The GLA's cargo capacity was 435 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,430 litres with the seats folded. The low load floor and power liftgate made loading and unloading easy, but the cargo space was average for its class.

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 served as a comfortable family vehicle, with plenty of head and legroom for all passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA came standard with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring two 7.0-inch display screens. It included four USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12-speaker Burmester audio system, and wireless charging. The MBUX system was user-friendly, with voice-activated controls and a car-wash function, but lacked quick scrolling through radio stations.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. It included a 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display, a 10.25-inch digital driver information display, and optional rear-seat entertainment screens. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo was a standout feature, available on higher trims. The system offered a personalized user experience with features like My Pages.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered a reasonable amount of active safety features, including a rearview camera, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, the GLA's safety features were not as comprehensive as those offered by less expensive SUVs like the Hyundai Venue or Cadillac XT4.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe provided a blend of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera were available on higher trims. The NHTSA awarded the Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating, but the IIHS had not yet published its results.