2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over time, and while initial reactions to its short grille and swept-back headlights were mixed, familiarity seemed to have improved its appeal. The Cherokee's appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level, with the entry-level Latitude appearing more generic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition boasted a more refined look with its 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding. The Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof was a standout feature, covering the entire top surface and adding to its distinctiveness. Despite being part of a crowded crossover SUV market, the Cherokee managed to stand out, particularly from the front, where it bore a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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 and a forward rake reminiscent of the Wagoneer. 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, black roof, and 20-inch wheels, exemplified the model's stylish design. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a comfortable and upscale experience, with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the presence of hard plastic materials in the interior raised concerns about long-term durability. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior was further enhanced by gloss black materials, which, while prone to fingerprints and glare, added a sharp aesthetic when clean.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower for the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine provided a significant boost with 271 horsepower, while the top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite these options, the Cherokee's acceleration was not particularly impressive, with 0 to 60 mph times of around 7.2 seconds for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had improved over time. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled in off-road capabilities, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the availability of front-wheel drive (FWD) aimed to keep prices competitive, especially for rental fleets.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe stood out with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the company's 5.7-liter V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured standard four-wheel drive (4WD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieving 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) and a total driving range of 470 miles. The battery provided 25 miles of all-electric driving range, and the vehicle offered E Select powertrain modes for efficient driving. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by two systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, with the latter offering more advanced features. The Trailhawk trim boasted 10.9 inches of ground clearance and a maximum wading depth of 24 inches. However, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than its V6 and V8 counterparts.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in terms of utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, placing it at the bottom among compact SUVs. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that regard. The interior design was simple and businesslike, with trim levels influencing the overall feel. The Latitude trim featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim added perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, was not available as an L model with a third row of seats. However, it offered ample space for passengers, with cargo space expanding from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet when the second row was folded. Head and legroom were generous, making it a comfortable family vehicle. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. Despite testing in hot conditions, the standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface. Available with 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreens, the system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only through wired connections. The Cherokee also offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, adding convenience in various climates. The Uconnect system's consistency across Stellantis vehicles was a notable advantage for Cherokee buyers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the Uconnect 5 system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. The My Pages feature allowed for personalized displays and widgets. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a frameless digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad was optional, while four USB ports were standard. Rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon's Fire TV for Auto were available. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, highly regarded in the industry, was standard on the Summit Reserve trim and optional on others.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee received mixed safety ratings. While it earned top "Good" scores in crashworthiness categories from the IIHS, it did not achieve a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional upgrades included intersection-collision assist, night vision, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. A hands-off driver assistance feature suite was announced but required additional hardware. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe at the time.