2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

Jeep had a knack for designing cars that resonated with its fans, and the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe was no exception. The vehicle retained the iconic seven-slot grille, now with active shutters for better aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The grille's forward rake was a nod to the Wagoneer, blending heritage with modernity. The 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, unlike its gas-powered counterparts that offered a three-row "L" model. The trim lineup for the 4xe included the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with a new High Altitude package adding extra style.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe felt far from rugged. Even the base trim exuded comfort, and the Overland trim, with its leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats, felt upscale. However, the interior had an abundance of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point, which raised concerns about durability and potential noise. Gloss black surfaces, while sharp-looking, were prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2023 Grand Cherokee L extended the classic Grand Cherokee design by over a foot, maintaining its tough yet upscale look. Our Hydro Blue test model featured the High Altitude package, which blacked out the grille, logos, and door handles, complemented by dark gray 21-inch wheels and black leather with gold stitching. The interior of upper trims was impressive, with 90 percent of materials feeling justified for a $70,000 truck. The polished black dash hid an optional touchscreen, and the diamond-patterned stitching on the seats added a touch of class. Lower trims lacked some of these details but still outshone competitors like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe's standout feature was its plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine paired with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This power ran through a standard four-wheel drive system managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieving 56 MPGe and a total driving range of 470 miles. The battery provided 25 miles of all-electric driving range, and an electronic front-axle disconnect helped save fuel. The 4xe offered E Select powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, along with regenerative braking for one-pedal driving.

Jeep equipped the 4xe with two off-road systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, the latter being more aggressive with an electronic limited-slip differential and a two-speed transfer case. The Trailhawk trim boasted 10.9 inches of ground clearance and a wading depth of 24 inches. However, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than the V6 and V8 models.

The 2023 Grand Cherokee L's weakest link was its standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was a better choice, especially for towing, with a max rating of 7,200 pounds. The V8 also sounded fantastic. Fuel economy for the V6 was 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8's ratings were 14/22/17.

The L's chassis provided confident handling, especially with air suspension, which allowed for five height settings and improved aerodynamics at highway speeds. Jeep offered three 4WD systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, with the latter being the most sophisticated. The Grand Cherokee L was tougher than most competitors, though not meant for serious off-roading.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered siblings, did not offer a third-row "L" model. However, it provided ample space for passengers, with 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The air suspension's quick-down function made loading and unloading easier. Despite testing in hot Texas weather, the standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in winter.

The 2023 Grand Cherokee L's added length provided more legroom for second-row passengers, with standard captain's chairs and an optional 60/40 bench seat. The third row, while tight for adults, was suitable for kids. The Summit and Summit Reserve trims offered a center console with two tiers of storage, four-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. Cargo space was generous, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, making it one of the largest in its class.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The 10.25-inch front-passenger display was standard on the base trim but optional on Overland and Summit trims. A 10.25-inch digital driver information display was standard, and a wireless charging pad was optional. Rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon Fire TV were available, and the 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, one of the best in the industry, was standard on the Summit Reserve trim.

The 2023 Grand Cherokee L's Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen and navigation. Uconnect 5 was quick and easy to use, though some graphics and text had legibility issues. The McIntosh sound system, available as a standalone option on upper trims, lacked surround imaging from the rear speakers. Night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen with independent video and music controls were among the advanced tech features. The Grand Cherokee L also offered Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, 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 suite was announced but required additional hardware and was not available via OTA update. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe.

The 2023 Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and scored five stars in NHTSA tests, except for rollover, where it scored four. Standard safety features included forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras. Night vision and Active Driving Assist were available on higher trims.