2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well within the Volvo family thanks to its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, with a gloss black roof and mirror caps, and a unique Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and high-quality design.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a two-row version of the previous year’s Grand Cherokee L, maintained Jeep’s design traditions with a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and angled rear roof pillars reminiscent of the 1963 Wagoneer. Available in multiple trims, from the basic Laredo to the luxurious Summit Reserve, it offered a range of prices and features. The interior varied from basic cloth seats in the Laredo to premium quilted leather and high-end audio systems in the Summit Reserve. The Grand Cherokee’s design aimed to improve visibility and comfort, with features like a panoramic sunroof and better sightlines for off-roading.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 increased output to 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric XC40 Recharge, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured dual electric motors for a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort over performance, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with a choice of a V6 or V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The available 5.7-liter V8 delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim featured advanced off-roading equipment, including an electronic locking rear differential and Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Grand Cherokee’s ride quality was excellent, with the V6 being the preferred engine for its balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had the same passenger and cargo space as the gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40’s interior featured clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system’s speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading. Rear-seat room was tight for adults, and the Grand Cherokee L offered more legroom and cargo space. The two-row Grand Cherokee had 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models also had OTA update capability and lacked a start button, using a key fob for entry and shifting out of park.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, with features like a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and multiple touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness and OTA updates. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, and an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The XC40 Recharge had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure, with Volvo expecting it to perform well in crash tests. The Recharge also featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured a robust safety structure with extensive use of aluminum and high-strength steel. It included a comprehensive package of ADAS, such as Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, which provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected to be available in 2022.