2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive styling, avoiding the temptation to mimic its rivals. It carried forward the sharp design language of the Navigator, characterized by crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the air of luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe retained Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, blending past and present with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV. Inside, even the base trim felt upscale, with the Overland trim offering leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the presence of hard plastic materials was a concern for long-term durability.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration and up to 21 miles of electric-only range. However, the Aviator’s heft resulted in noticeable body roll in corners and awkward maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe’s plug-in hybrid powertrain combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It offered a total driving range of 470 miles and 25 miles of all-electric range. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured E Select powertrain modes, regenerative braking, and two off-road systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. However, its 6,000-pound max tow rating was less than the V6- and V8-powered models.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, offered ample space and features like captain's chairs and a digital control panel. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, lacking a third row, offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. The available air suspension provided a quick-down function for easier loading and unloading. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered plenty of head and legroom, making it a comfortable family vehicle for up to four passengers.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear, easy-to-read information. The layout and functionality of the infotainment system were well-received.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with customization options like My Pages. It included a 10.25-inch front-passenger display, a digital driver information display, and optional rear-seat entertainment screens. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, was highly praised for its audio quality.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection-collision assist, night vision, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. However, it had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.