2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator

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, which was updated with active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. This design element, along with the forward rake reminiscent of the classic Wagoneer, 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. However, the interior was marred by an abundance of hard plastic materials, which raised concerns about durability and noise over time.

In contrast, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator exuded luxury and functionality. Despite lacking significant updates since its 2018 redesign, the Navigator continued to impress with its spacious three-row seating and available extended body style. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, featured a Monochromatic Package with black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Inside, the Navigator boasted Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats, which, while offering numerous adjustments, proved challenging to perfect. The cabin was adorned with real wood trim and chrome accents, and ambient lighting added character at night. However, the chrome plastic on some switchgear detracted from the overall luxury feel.

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 featured standard four-wheel drive, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, and boasted a total driving range of 470 miles. However, its fuel efficiency was contingent on a fully charged battery, with an EPA rating of 23 miles per gallon once the battery was depleted. The vehicle offered 25 miles of all-electric driving range and included features like an electronic front-axle disconnect and E Select powertrain modes for optimized efficiency. Despite its fuel economy advantages, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than its V6 and V8 counterparts.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain, the Navigator achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 15.6 mpg. The Navigator offered five Lincoln Drive Modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions, with an optional Hill Climb mode. The adaptive damping suspension, featuring Road Preview, aimed to enhance ride quality but fell short, with the SUV exhibiting a truck-like ride over smaller bumps. In Excite mode, the Navigator's suspension stiffened, improving ride quality but negatively impacting fuel efficiency. The SUV's nearly three-ton curb weight posed challenges for the brakes, particularly on mountain roads.

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, providing incremental improvements over the previous generation. The vehicle's air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, facilitating loading and unloading. Despite the Texas heat during testing, the standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder climates.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, with roomy seats across all three rows and an available extended body style for increased cargo capacity. Power-deploying running boards eased access to the cabin, which featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain's chairs offered a pass-through to the third row, accommodating taller adults comfortably. Storage space was generous, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The Navigator L model provided significantly more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 120.2 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages for personalized screen layouts. The vehicle included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a frameless 10.25-inch digital driver information display. A wireless charging pad was optional, while four USB ports were standard. Optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon's Fire TV for Auto were available. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, praised for its audio quality, was standard on the Summit Reserve trim and optional on others.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator, while not emphasizing digital display supremacy, offered a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and an available widescreen head-up display. The Sync 4 infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant excelled in voice recognition, while the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System delivered impressive sound quality. The Lincoln Way smartphone app and Phone As A Key technology allowed for digital key access. The Navigator also featured Lincoln Play, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, though it went unused by teenage passengers during testing.

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, and lane-keeping assist. Rear parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional features included intersection-collision assist and night vision, with front parking sensors and a 360-degree surround-view camera available on higher trims. A hands-off driver assistance suite was announced but required additional hardware and was unavailable to early buyers. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee or Grand Cherokee 4xe.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator came equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.0 and available Co-Pilot360 2.0 Drive packages, featuring ADAS like Evasive Steering Assist, Intersection Assist, and BlueCruise. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system, operated on designated Hands-Free Blue Zones but required driver intervention in certain situations. The Navigator's response to sudden lane changes by other motorists highlighted BlueCruise's limitations. The NHTSA awarded the Navigator a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating, but a full crashworthiness assessment was unavailable.