2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a distinctive design that set it apart from its siblings in the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand's signature quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, along with a prominent shield-shaped grille. The GV70's sloping roofline and ribbed detailing added a touch of athleticism to its profile, blending the visual bulk of an SUV with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige models further enhanced the GV70's character with unique styling features, including 21-inch wheels with a web pattern and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by the cross-section of an airplane's wing, with an elliptical theme that extended to the controls and door handles. The design was minimalistic, with a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents, while a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller added a touch of sophistication. The interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts in the Sport Prestige model.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe retained the brand's iconic design cues, including the seven-slot grille, which now featured active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with a trim lineup that included the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, tested in silver with a black roof and 20-inch wheels, showcased signature surf blue tow hooks and blue accents on trail-rated trims. 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 interior also featured a significant amount of hard plastic materials, which raised concerns about durability. Gloss black surfaces added a touch of elegance but were prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 also featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode further enhanced performance by holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was not particularly pleasant. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, but its firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury appeal.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe's standout feature was its plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-liter V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 470 miles and achieved 56 MPGe. However, real-world efficiency depended on battery charge and weather conditions, with a more modest EPA rating of 23 miles per gallon once the battery was depleted. The 4xe provided 25 miles of all-electric driving range and featured an electronic front-axle disconnect for improved fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also offered E Select powertrain modes, regenerative braking, and two off-road systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. While the 4xe excelled in fuel economy, its towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than the V6- and V8-powered models.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground between competitors. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, was not available as an L model with a third row. However, it offered ample space for passengers in its two-row configuration. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet, an improvement over the previous generation. Head and legroom were generous in both the front and back, making it a comfortable family vehicle. The available air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. Despite testing in hot conditions, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly, while the glass rotary controller added functionality with pinch-and-zoom capabilities. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key option, allowing drivers to use a smartphone instead of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services provided remote access to the vehicle's cameras, driver profiles, and more, free for three years.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. The My Pages feature allowed for personalized displays and widgets. The Grand Cherokee 4xe 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, available on higher trims, delivered exceptional audio quality. However, some features, like the wireless charging pad and 360-degree surround-view camera, were optional on lower trims.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also featured Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The GV70 included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag for added protection. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

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. Jeep announced a hands-off driver assistance suite, but it required additional hardware and was not available to early buyers. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Grand Cherokee 4xe.