2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

When it came to designing vehicles that delighted its fans, Jeep rarely missed the mark. A large part of Jeep's success could be attributed to its adherence to time-tested design cues and familiar styling elements that evoked the brand's heritage and legacy. Significant among these cues was Jeep’s seven-slot grille, which returned in the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. This combination of past and present in the grille featured active shutters to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency while sporting a forward rake reminiscent of the Wagoneer.

Jeep offered the Grand Cherokee in both two- and three-row versions, but the 4xe plug-in hybrid was strictly a two-row, five-passenger SUV. The trim lineup for the 4xe differed from gas-powered models, including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The new High Altitude package, announced at the 2022 New York International Auto Show, added extra style to the Summit and Summit Reserve trims.

The Overland trim test car was painted silver with a contrasting black roof and 20-inch wheels. Signature surf blue tow hooks at the front and blue accents on trail-rated trims were standout features. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe was far from rugged or spartan, offering upscale comfort even in base trim. Leather seats, wood, and metal accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and bronze contrast stitching were all part of the luxurious Overland trim.

Despite the upscale feel, there was a considerable amount of hard plastic below the hip point. The prevalence of hard plastic materials raised concerns about durability and noise on cold winter days. Gloss black accents, while visually striking, were prone to fingerprints and glare.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna managed to shed much of its traditional minivan aesthetic. Toyota aimed to dissociate the Sienna from minivan styling, giving it an aerodynamic front-end resembling a Japanese bullet train. The Sienna featured 18-inch wheels on most trims, with 20-inch wheels available on the front-wheel-drive (FWD) XSE and Platinum trims.

The Sienna came in various trims including LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, with a special 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim introduced in 2023. The XLE trim level was expected to be popular for its value, offering standard LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate.

The Sienna’s interior was appealing, with high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. Depending on the trim, the Sienna accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the LE and XLE trims supporting three-across car seats in the middle row.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe’s standout feature was its plug-in hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine paired with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the 5.7-liter V8's 357 hp and 390 lb-ft. The powertrain allowed for a total driving range of 470 miles and delivered 56 MPGe.

However, these figures were optimal under ideal conditions with a fully charged battery. Cold weather reduced efficiency, and the vehicle returned an EPA rating of 23 mpg once the battery was depleted. The battery offered 25 miles of all-electric driving range.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured either the Quadra-Trac II or the more aggressive Quadra-Drive II off-road systems, making it exceptionally capable off-road. Jeep’s Select-Terrain system included modes for Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Mud/Sand. The Trailhawk trim provided 10.9 inches of ground clearance and could wade through 24 inches of water. Despite its advantages, the 4xe had a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, less than its V6 and V8 counterparts.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, unveiled in 2020, embraced a hybrid powertrain across all models. The combination of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with front-mounted and rear-mounted electric motors in AWD trims produced 245 net system horsepower. However, this power was insufficient for the Sienna's size and weight, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was not the best-sounding.

Despite the lackluster acceleration, the Sienna’s chassis and steering were outstanding, offering nimble handling and a pleasant driving experience. Different drive modes—EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport—were available, although the normal mode was preferred for everyday driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, limited to a two-row, five-passenger configuration, offered ample space for its occupants. Cargo space increased from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down, providing incremental improvements over the previous generation. It’s a comfortable and capable SUV for a family of four or less. The air suspension allowed for quick lowering to facilitate easier loading and unloading.

On the other hand, the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage with numerous cubbies, shelves, and bins. The open cubby below the center console accommodated large bags or purses, and a long shelf on the dash was ideal for holding phones. The Sienna’s center console featured a big bin and enough cup holders for everyone on board to have at least two drinks.

The Sienna’s minivan platform offered 33.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which folded into the floor to provide 75.2 cubic feet. Total cargo space was 101 cubic feet. However, these figures were not as impressive as some competitors because the middle row seats couldn't be fully removed or folded into the floor. Despite this, the Sienna’s second row captain’s chairs were functional, with extending ottomans and ample legroom for adults in the third row.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe showcased Jeep's latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring an Android-powered interface with extensive customization options. The My Pages feature allowed personalization of the car’s user experience. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a frameless 10.25-inch digital driver information display, with optional wireless charging and dual rear-seat entertainment screens running Amazon’s Fire TV for Auto.

A notable feature was the 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, considered among the best in the industry. Unfortunately, it wasn't available in lower trims, only accessible in the Overland as part of an entertainment package or standard in the Summit Reserve.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota Sienna relied on an older infotainment interface. Core features included SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, optional navigation, and seven USB ports. While physical buttons were helpful, the interface felt outdated and required a wired connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, outside of its old design, the Sienna’s technology was reliable. A 9-inch touchscreen, while small on paper, appeared well-sized in person, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system performed well.

Regarding safety equipment, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered standard advanced driver assistant systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional optional features included intersection-collision assist, Night Vision, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. Early buyers couldn't receive the hands-off driver assistance feature suite via an OTA update. Crash tests results for the Grand Cherokee 4xe from the IIHS or NHTSA were not available.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in safety by providing a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. These features were essential for family vehicles. The Sienna earned a 5-star rating in NHTSA crash tests and the 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.