2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe retained the brand's iconic seven-slot grille, blending heritage with modernity. The grille featured active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, while its forward rake evoked the classic Wagoneer. Available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, the 4xe came in various trims, including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, with its silver paint, black roof, and 20-inch wheels, showcased Jeep's commitment to style and functionality. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a comfortable and upscale feel, even in its base trim. The Overland trim added luxurious touches like 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 and potential noise issues.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a squared-off rear bumper for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors, along with a rear VW logo that lights up, added to its appeal. Despite its EV distinction, the ID.4 lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 shared its modularity with other VW models. The interior boasted a minimalist design and quality materials, with leatherette upholstery and recycled fibers in the seats and door panels. The base ID.4 Standard model offered a similar feel to the higher-level Pro S trim, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious buyers.

The 2022 Jeep 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 an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain outperformed Jeep's 5.7-liter V8, providing a total driving range of 470 miles and 56 MPGe. However, real-world conditions and battery charge levels could affect efficiency, with the vehicle rated at 23 mpg once the battery was depleted. The 4xe offered 25 miles of all-electric driving range, thanks to its aerodynamic design. An electronic front-axle disconnect and E Select powertrain modes enhanced fuel efficiency and driving experience. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's off-road capabilities were bolstered by Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers. However, its 6,000-pound towing capacity fell short compared to V6 and V8 models.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, while the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh pack. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4's AWD version rivaled hot hatchbacks in acceleration but lacked the handling prowess. Regenerative braking was standard, but VW's approach didn't support one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts. The ID.4's driving dynamics were comfortable and refined, making it suitable for long drives but less engaging on twisty roads.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, wasn't available as an L model with a third row of seats. However, it offered ample space for passengers in its existing seats. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet, providing incremental improvements over the previous generation. Head and legroom were generous in both the front and back, making it a comfortable family vehicle. The available air suspension allowed for quick height adjustments, aiding in loading and unloading. Despite testing in hot conditions, the standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more front and rear legroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. With 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, it outperformed most entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in terms of interior space, it remained a practical choice among affordable EVs. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models rated at 2,200 pounds and AWD models at 2,700 pounds. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional lid for the center console, improved phone storage, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. The My Pages feature allowed users to personalize screen layouts with various displays and widgets. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display, a frameless 10.25-inch digital driver information display, and optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon's Fire TV for Auto. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, delivered exceptional audio quality.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster and natural-language voice recognition enhanced the user experience. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which replaced conventional buttons, were less intuitive and potentially distracting. The ID.Light system provided ambient lighting and AI assistance, changing colors based on drive mode and navigation directions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered 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 wasn't available via OTA updates. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The ID.4's standard driver-assist features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.