2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was a testament to Jeep's commitment to its iconic design heritage. The vehicle featured the brand's signature seven-slot grille, now enhanced with active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. This design element, combined with a forward rake reminiscent of the classic Wagoneer, seamlessly blended the past with the present. 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, in particular, offered a luxurious feel with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats, although it was marred by the presence of hard plastic materials in the interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid presented a more modern and minimalistic design. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, with its Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, exuded luxury. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model, with its black interior and artificial suede accents, offered a sportier vibe. The RX's design, however, was not without its flaws. The vehicle's blunt-nosed appearance and rear roof pillar design made it look smaller than its predecessor, despite being similar in size. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner look with fewer switches and a new infotainment system, although some users found the system's interface cumbersome.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was powered by 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 Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted a total driving range of 470 miles and an all-electric range of 25 miles. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, with an electronic front-axle disconnect to save fuel. The vehicle also offered E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, and was equipped with regenerative braking for improved efficiency.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, on the other hand, offered two hybrid powertrain options. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an expected fuel efficiency of 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, but was less fuel-efficient, with an estimated 27 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h also featured an adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control for a more engaging driving experience. However, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing, averaging only 20.9 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered ample interior space, with 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The vehicle's air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, making loading and unloading easier. Despite the absence of a third row, the Grand Cherokee 4xe provided plenty of room for passengers, making it a comfortable family vehicle.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, while not as spacious as some competitors, offered improved cargo space compared to its predecessor. The RX provided 29.6 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seat folded down. The RX 350h Luxury model featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and a three-zone automatic climate control system, ensuring a comfortable ride. However, the RX's lower roofline resulted in tight rear headroom, and the placement of the battery pack under the rear seat raised the seat cushion, affecting rear passenger comfort.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The vehicle featured multiple screens, including a 10.25-inch digital driver information display and an optional 10.25-inch front-passenger display. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also offered optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens and a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, although the latter was not available on all trims.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, the Lexus Interface, which required a subscription for full functionality. The system included Drive Connect, a cloud-based navigation system with an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. However, the interface had some drawbacks, such as limited screen menu views and reflections on the touchscreen. The RX also offered an available head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, although these were difficult to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with a range of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included intersection-collision assist, night vision, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. However, the Grand Cherokee 4xe had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included new features like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which automatically slowed the vehicle to maintain a safe following distance. However, some features, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, although these were not tested during the review.