2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were consistent with previous generations, though the interior saw a refresh, especially in trims above the base level. The Premium trim and higher featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, enhancing the cabin's modernity. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback's gray cladding and smooth, plain styling maintained its lifted wagon appearance, with minor updates like new paint options and standard adaptive LED headlights.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe blended heritage and modernity with its iconic seven-slot grille featuring active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe, a two-row, five-passenger SUV, offered a distinct trim lineup, including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Our test car, an Overland trim, showcased a silver exterior with a black roof and 20-inch wheels, along with signature surf blue tow hooks. Inside, the Overland trim provided a luxurious feel with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the presence of hard plastic materials below the hip point raised concerns about long-term durability.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further hampered performance, making the Outback slow and noisy. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving performance. The XT's fuel economy was slightly lower than the base engine, but the trade-off was worth it for the enhanced capability. The Outback's ride comfort and off-road prowess, thanks to its high ground clearance and electronically-variable AWD, were standout features.

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 an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieved 56 MPGe and a total driving range of 470 miles. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered three E Select powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, along with regenerative braking for one-pedal driving. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, with the Trailhawk trim providing up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. However, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than its gas-powered counterparts.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, surpassing even some trucks, allowing it to tackle various terrains. Inside, it offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, excellent visibility, and numerous storage options. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The integrated roof rails and crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available in a three-row configuration, provided ample space for passengers and cargo. With the second row folded, cargo space expanded from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet. The air suspension's quick-down function facilitated loading and unloading. Despite the hot testing conditions, the heated steering wheel was a notable feature for colder climates.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, though functional, felt outdated with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. The single large screen was preferable to the base model's dual-screen setup. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system's reliance on cameras without radar supplementation limited its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with extensive customization options. The My Pages feature allowed for personalized screen layouts. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a digital driver information display. Optional rear-seat entertainment screens and a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo system enhanced the in-car experience, though some features were only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's chassis was stronger and stiffer than previous models, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear emergency braking were available on higher trims. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with an overall five-star rating from the latter.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a mix of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features like intersection-collision assist, night vision, and a 360-degree surround-view camera were available on higher trims. However, neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe at the time of review.