2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, blending traditional elements with modern touches. While maintaining its boxy profile and rectangular grille, the XC90 introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring matte-finish wood trim and unique options like wool upholstery and an Orrefors crystal shifter.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe continued Jeep's tradition of blending heritage with modernity. The iconic seven-slot grille returned, now with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, unlike its gas-powered counterparts. The Overland trim, with its silver paint, black roof, and 20-inch wheels, stood out. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a comfortable and upscale feel, with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the presence of hard plastic materials below the hip point raised concerns about long-term durability.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6, with both turbocharging and supercharging, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard AWD. Despite its power, the XC90 struggled with acceleration from stops on electric power alone, and its drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—required careful management to balance efficiency and performance. The XC90 excelled in ride quality and quietness, with a respectable 5,000-pound towing capacity for most models.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, achieving 56 MPGe and a total driving range of 470 miles. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered 25 miles of all-electric range, with Hybrid, Electric, and eSave modes to manage power usage. Regenerative braking and an electronic front-axle disconnect further enhanced efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's off-road capabilities were bolstered by Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, with the Trailhawk trim offering 10.9 inches of ground clearance and a 6,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom in all three rows being average for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats in the second and third rows lacked support. The XC90's upright roof profile and optional power moonroof gave the interior a spacious feel. Up front, the Inscription trim offered 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, available only as a two-row SUV, offered ample space for passengers. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet. Headroom and legroom were generous in both the front and back. The available air suspension provided a quick-down function for easier loading and unloading. Despite the hot Texas weather during testing, the standard heated steering wheel was noted as a future winter blessing.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that functioned like a tablet. However, the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and only second-row USB-C ports were available.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured multiple screens, including a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a frameless 10.25-inch digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad was optional, and four USB ports were standard. Optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens ran Amazon’s Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, was highly praised for its audio quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, offering smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered standard safety features like 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 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe at the time of writing.