2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Acura MDX

Jeep's 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe was a testament to the brand's commitment to its heritage, blending classic design cues with modern touches. The iconic seven-slot grille returned, now with active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, unlike its gas-powered counterparts that offered a three-row option. The trim lineup included the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with the High Altitude package adding extra style to the higher trims. The Overland trim, in particular, featured leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats, though it still had some hard plastic materials that raised concerns about long-term durability.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S, on the other hand, aimed to deliver a luxurious and dynamic driving experience. The Type S featured subtle yet sporty design elements, including chicane-design LED lights, 21-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. Inside, the MDX Type S boasted perforated Milano leather, aluminum trim, and a leather-wrapped dashboard. The Advance package added open-pore wood and a panoramic sunroof. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard and the electronic transmission switchgear, were less user-friendly. Despite these nit-picks, the MDX Type S remained an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe's standout feature was its plug-in hybrid powertrain. It combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack, producing an impressive 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 4xe offered 25 miles of all-electric driving range and featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also came with regenerative braking and two off-road systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. However, its towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than its V6 and V8 counterparts.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with multiple driving modes, including a Lift mode for increased ground clearance. Despite these enhancements, the MDX Type S struggled to deliver a cohesive driving experience. The transmission was indecisive, the ride lacked compliance, and the brake pedal response was inconsistent. Additionally, the MDX Type S's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 16.9 mpg during testing, well below its EPA rating of 19 mpg combined.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered ample space for passengers, with 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The air suspension's quick-down function made loading and unloading easier. Despite the lack of a third-row option, the Grand Cherokee 4xe provided a comfortable and capable family vehicle, with plenty of head and legroom for all passengers.

The 2023 Acura MDX excelled in functionality, offering three rows of seats and a versatile second-row configuration. The Type S Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats were firm and didn't hold occupants in place as well as expected. The second-row seats were comfortable and supportive, with heating in the outboard positions, but the third row was best suited for children. The MDX's cargo area was spacious, with 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. The hands-free liftgate with Walk Away Close function added convenience.

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

The 2023 Acura MDX's Digital Precision Cockpit included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen wasn't touch-sensitive, requiring the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design was less intuitive and reduced storage space. The MDX featured wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers provided excellent sound quality, though the native voice recognition system was less reliable.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with a range 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 wasn't available to early buyers. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the Grand Cherokee 4xe.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured Acura Watch, a suite of safety systems including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The MDX received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for driver and front passenger protection in the frontal-impact test.