2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was a testament to Jeep's commitment to blending heritage with modernity. The iconic seven-slot grille made a return, now featuring 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 Overland trim, with its silver paint, black roof, and 20-inch wheels, exuded a rugged yet upscale vibe. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe felt comfortable and almost luxurious, especially in the Overland trim, which featured 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot was redesigned with a more rugged and substantial appearance. It was larger than its predecessor, with an upright grille and boxier styling. The TrailSport model, in particular, gained legitimate off-road parts, including a taller ride height, unique wheels, and underbody skid plates. The interior of the Pilot took a more conventional styling route but remained attractive and functional. Materials quality met class expectations, and the Pilot emphasized function over form without sacrificing attractiveness. The new design made the Pilot look and feel more utilitarian, which was a welcome change for many.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a 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 engine. The 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 driving range and featured an electronic front-axle disconnect to save fuel. It also came with E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, and regenerative braking with a Max Regen setting. The 4xe's off-road capabilities were enhanced by Jeep's Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, as well as the Select-Terrain traction system. However, its towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than the V6 and V8 models.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by a new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all models and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot's acceleration was quick and responsive, with a pleasant engine hum. The brake pedal was soft and easy to modulate, providing smooth stops. The Pilot handled well for a three-row SUV, with noticeable but manageable body roll. The TrailSport trim offered increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, adding a subtle vibration on pavement but enhancing off-road capabilities. The Pilot maintained on-road composure and comfort, making it a versatile family SUV.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, was not available as an L model with a third row of seats. However, it 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. The air suspension's quick-down function facilitated easy loading and unloading. Despite the hot Texas weather during testing, the standard heated steering wheel was a notable feature for colder climates.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional compared to other new Honda models. The entry-level trims featured a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The EX-L trim and above offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. The Pilot's stowable second-row center seat provided a useful pass-through for third-row passengers. The second row offered ample space for adults, while the third row was less inviting but suitable for short trips. Cargo space ranged from 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row to 114.3 cubic feet with the second row folded flat, offering significantly more capacity than competitors like the Kia Telluride.

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 multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a frameless digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad was optional, and four USB ports were standard. Optional rear-seat entertainment screens ran Amazon's Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, was a standout feature.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim and above offered a larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims included a multi-view camera system, head-up display, and fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was responsive and logically laid out, with features like Honda's CabinTalk PA system. The Touring and Elite trims added navigation, Bose premium audio, remote monitoring via a smartphone app, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The TrailSport and Elite trims also featured the TrailWatch camera system for off-roading.

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 was not available to early buyers. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe.

The 2023 Honda Pilot had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA, but Honda expected top scores. The Pilot received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign reader, automatic high beams, and driver attention monitor. Higher trims added low-speed automatic braking, front and rear parking sensors, and surround-view and multi-view camera systems. The advanced safety features functioned well during testing, with no false alarms.