2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Ford had been teasing the new Bronco for years, and it finally revealed that the resurrected off-roader would be preceded by a smaller sibling: the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. This model captured some of the same styling cues as the larger Bronco but was a frameless crossover with a more suburban focus, making it an everyday driver ready for weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport featured a modern retro look, with short front and rear overhangs designed for trail driving. The bold white "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate tied it to its big brother, while the interior boasted a rugged yet uncluttered design with convenient storage options and a range of trim levels from cloth to leather seats.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, on the other hand, blended past and present with its iconic seven-slot grille featuring active shutters for improved aerodynamics. Available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, the 4xe offered a range of trims from the base 4xe to the luxurious Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, for instance, came with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. Despite some hard plastic materials, the interior felt upscale, and the Grand Cherokee 4xe provided ample space for passengers and cargo, making it a comfortable family vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims came with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance, while also providing good manners on pavement.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe's standout feature was its plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine paired with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain offered a total driving range of 470 miles and an impressive 56 MPGe. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, with two off-road systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. The 4xe's electric powertrain provided instant torque, making throttle control easier in slow-speed maneuvers, and the Select-Terrain traction system offered specific modes for various conditions.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds, and the cargo hold included smart features like a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available as a three-row model, provided plenty of space for passengers and cargo. Folding the second row of seats down expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet. The available air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, making loading and unloading easier. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior offered ample head and legroom, making it a comfortable family vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The terrain management system provided up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology helped with off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start and a digital instrument panel were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. It featured multiple screens, including a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad and dual rear-seat entertainment screens were optional. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also offered a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, providing an exceptional audio experience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection-collision assist, night vision, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. Jeep also announced a hands-off driver assistance feature suite for future models.