2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant step in Buick's journey to reclaim its former glory. After a challenging period, Buick found its footing by offering globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles. The Enclave, however, stood out as a distinctly American-made SUV that connected Buick to its illustrious past while catering to modern consumer preferences for SUVs. As the largest of Buick's SUV lineup, the Enclave offered a commanding presence, especially in the Avenir trim, which featured a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir exuded luxury with its organic forms, minimalist controls, and soft leather upholstery, although the wood accents were not genuine. The interior was simple, save for the electronic transmission shifter, which required a brief learning curve.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was a testament to Jeep's ability to blend heritage with modernity. The iconic seven-slot grille returned, now with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was a two-row, five-passenger SUV, distinct from its gas-powered counterparts. It offered a range of trims, including the Trailhawk and Summit Reserve, each with unique styling elements. The Overland trim, for instance, featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. Despite some hard plastic materials, the interior felt upscale, especially with the optional McIntosh stereo system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's design and features made it a comfortable and capable family vehicle, with a focus on both style and functionality.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offered a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The Enclave's acceleration was robust, and it handled like a smaller SUV despite its size. The Avenir Technology Package enhanced the driving experience with a premium-tuned suspension and automatic emergency braking. The Enclave's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, on the other hand, featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-liter V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 470 miles and an all-electric range of 25 miles. It featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also boasted regenerative braking and two off-road systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included power-adjustable seats with massage functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious, and the cargo area offered 23.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not offering a third row, provided generous space for passengers in its two-row configuration. Folding the second row expanded the cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's air suspension allowed for easy loading and unloading, and the vehicle's design ensured ample head and legroom for all passengers. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was a comfortable and capable family vehicle, with features like a heated steering wheel adding to its appeal.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations, with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, it fell short in terms of screen size and smart home integration. The Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was not as advanced as competitors. The Enclave did offer a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of the rear.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch digital driver display and an optional 10.25-inch front-passenger display. The McIntosh stereo system, available on higher trims, was a standout feature. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also offered optional rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon's Fire TV for Auto.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package available only on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a mix of standard and optional safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Intersection-collision assist and night vision were available on higher trims. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was expected to receive a hands-off driver assistance feature suite, but it required additional hardware. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the Grand Cherokee 4xe at the time.