2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new addition to the Jeep lineup, distinct from the existing five-passenger Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo volume. Despite the potential confusion of its model year designation, the Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point, especially with the arrival of the all-new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. The Grand Cherokee L's design, with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, made it instantly recognizable as a Jeep and appealing across all trim levels.

Jeep offered the Grand Cherokee L in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. Our test vehicle, a Summit trim with 4WD and several premium packages, had a window sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials and fittings fell short of expectations at this price point, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology represented a significant improvement over the old model.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, a plug-in hybrid, continued Jeep's tradition of blending heritage with modernity. The iconic seven-slot grille returned, now with active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with no three-row option. Its trim lineup included the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with a new High Altitude package announced at the 2022 New York International Auto Show.

Our test car, an Overland trim, featured a silver exterior with a contrasting black roof and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a comfortable and upscale feel, even in the base trim. The Overland trim added leather seats, wood and metal accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the interior still had a noticeable amount of hard plastic materials, which raised concerns about durability and noise over time. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's interior was otherwise well-appointed, with gloss black materials adding a sharp, albeit fingerprint-prone, touch.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or three different 4WD systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims and 4WD, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined.

Our test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration but becoming loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally well-behaved, though it sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg on our testing loop, below expectations. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension offered a smooth ride and capable handling, with various off-road modes and a maximum ground clearance of 10.9 inches. The Grand Cherokee L's stiffer structure contributed to a smooth ride and stout feel, making it easy to park and maneuver.

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, surpassing the 5.7-liter V8's output. The 4xe's power ran to standard 4WD through an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieving 56 MPGe and a total driving range of 470 miles. The battery pack provided 25 miles of all-electric driving range, with an electronic front-axle disconnect to save fuel.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize battery and engine use. Regenerative braking and a Max Regen setting enabled one-pedal driving. The 4xe offered two off-road systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, with the latter providing enhanced off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim, with a maximum ground clearance of 10.9 inches, was the most off-road capable. However, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than the V6 and V8 models.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Summit trim offered heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades. The third-row seat was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows offering a great view.

The Grand Cherokee L's cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. However, the front-seat storage space was limited, with second-row passengers benefiting from a storage console.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, available only as a two-row model, offered plenty of space for passengers. Folding the second row increased cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet, an improvement over the previous generation. The available air suspension provided a quick-down function for easier loading and unloading. Despite testing the Grand Cherokee 4xe in hot conditions, the standard heated steering wheel would be a welcome feature in colder weather.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with faster response times and an improved user experience. Available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services. Our test vehicle had the larger screen and the optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality. Other available features included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe also used the Uconnect 5 system, with customization options like the My Pages feature. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included a 10.25-inch front-passenger display, a frameless digital driver information display, and optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon's Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, was one of the best in the industry.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. While effective, the steering assist felt artificial. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L also offered Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe included standard safety features like 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. A hands-off driver assistance feature suite was announced but required additional hardware. Crash-test ratings were not available.