2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4's design was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it didn't look much like an SUV, it offered a blend of Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism and a tech-focused interior, with piano black and matte plastic elements, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth seats on the base model.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe retained the brand'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, with trim levels including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. Despite its upscale feel, the interior had a significant amount of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point, which raised concerns about durability and noise over time.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It was the first rear-wheel-drive Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive version arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. While the ID.4 wasn't sporty, it offered a smooth ride and balanced handling, with RWD providing a more engaging driving experience. However, it lacked aggressive regenerative braking, relying more on friction brakes for a familiar driving feel.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and a 17-kWh battery pack, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided a total driving range of 470 miles and an impressive 56 MPGe. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered three E Select powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, with regenerative braking and a Max Regen setting for one-pedal driving. It also came with two off-road systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, making it highly capable off-road. However, its towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than its V6 and V8 counterparts.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than several EV competitors but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a frunk, but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility and substandard rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars. The console was narrow, offering limited storage space, but the heated steering wheel and front seats were effective in cold weather.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, not available as a three-row model, offered ample space for passengers in its two rows. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet, slightly more than the previous generation. The air suspension's quick-down function facilitated loading and unloading. Despite testing in hot weather, the standard heated steering wheel was noted as a valuable feature for winter. The Grand Cherokee 4xe provided a comfortable and spacious interior for a family of four or fewer.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The natural-language voice-control system offered an alternative, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light feature added a Tron-like vibe but was mostly forgettable. The touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. It included a 10.25-inch front-passenger display, a frameless 10.25-inch digital driver information display, and optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon’s Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo was highly praised but only available on higher trims. The system provided a personalized and user-friendly experience, making it one of the best in the industry.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were new standard features, with Travel Assist offering smooth lane-centering and responsive acceleration and deceleration.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a mix of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, 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 and was not available to early buyers. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the Grand Cherokee 4xe at the time of review.