2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior with Nissan's new signature design. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional robust and athletic styling. The SUV featured a redesigned grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern look akin to the Nissan Kicks, Rogue, and Pathfinder. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with the Midnight Edition Package exclusive to the SL. The Platinum trim, which was tested, showcased body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and standard LED headlights. The SUV rode on 18-, 20-, or 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels, depending on the trim, and included a full-size spare tire in upper trims. Despite these enhancements, the Armada's interior appeared dated, with design choices like rouched material and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays detracting from its aesthetic.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe blended Jeep's iconic design cues with modern elements, featuring the brand's signature seven-slot grille with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was a two-row, five-passenger SUV, distinct from the three-row gas-powered Grand Cherokee L models. It offered trims like the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with a new High Altitude package for added style. The Overland trim tested featured a silver exterior with a black roof and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe felt upscale, with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the interior had a notable amount of hard plastic, raising concerns about durability. The SUV's gloss black material added a sharp look but was prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. It came standard with rear-wheel drive, with an optional automatic four-wheel drive. Despite its weight of over 6,000 pounds, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers. Its ground clearance varied between 9.1 and 9.2 inches, depending on the trim. However, its fuel economy was low, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, while 4WD models got 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. The Armada excelled in towing, with a best-in-class capacity of 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 17-kWh battery pack, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It offered a total driving range of 470 miles and an impressive 56 MPGe. The Grand Cherokee 4xe had a 25-mile all-electric range, aided by its aerodynamic design. It included E Select powertrain modes like Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing for efficient driving. The SUV's regenerative braking system offered a Max Regen setting for one-pedal driving. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, providing excellent traction. However, its towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than its gas-powered counterparts.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality with its full-size SUV design. It featured standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The interior was spacious, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, but the dashboard's width made some controls hard to reach. The front seats were power-adjustable, and second-row captain's chairs were available in higher trims. The third row was less comfortable for adults, and cargo space was limited, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The high load floor made loading challenging, and small-item storage was limited, except for the deep center console bin.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, did not offer a third row, but it provided ample space for passengers. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 to 70.8 cubic feet. The air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was comfortable for families, with sufficient head and legroom. Despite testing in hot conditions, the standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with navigation, a six-speaker stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Additional options included a wireless charging pad, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, and a rearview camera mirror. The analog tachometer and speedometer were functional but lacked sophistication compared to other SUVs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering customization through the My Pages feature. It included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad was optional, and the rear offered dual entertainment screens with Amazon's Fire TV. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo was a standout feature, available on higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. It also offered adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning. However, it lacked advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe provided standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection-collision assist and night vision. A hands-off driver assistance suite was announced but required additional hardware. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the Grand Cherokee 4xe.