2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Volvo XC90

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 improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, while also evoking the classic Wagoneer with its forward rake. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with trim levels including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, in particular, featured a silver paint job with a contrasting black roof and 20-inch wheels, along with signature surf blue tow hooks and blue accents on trail-rated trims.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe felt far from rugged. Even the base trim offered a comfortable and near-upscale experience. The Overland trim added leather seats, wood and metal accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the interior also had a noticeable amount of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point, which raised concerns about durability and potential noise. Gloss black materials, while sharp-looking, were prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past "rolling bricks" design. The XC90 looked purposeful yet understated, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being flashy. The "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, and the overall dimensions leaned toward rectilinear without resembling a toaster. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth to the color.

Inside, the XC90's design was elegant and minimalist. The steering wheel featured two-tone leather and a three-spoke design, complemented by metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The interior also included wood deco inlays across the dash and center console, adding a touch of nature. The front cabin had a minimalist feel with few buttons, contributing to a clean and sophisticated look.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe's standout feature was its plug-in hybrid powertrain. It combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack, delivering an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain outperformed Jeep's 5.7-liter V8, which produced 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 4xe featured standard four-wheel drive managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieving 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) and a total driving range of 470 miles. However, the real-world efficiency depended on ideal conditions and a fully charged battery, with the EPA rating dropping to 23 mpg once the battery was depleted.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered 25 miles of all-electric driving range, thanks to its aerodynamic design. An electronic front-axle disconnect helped save fuel by disengaging the engine from the front wheels when not needed. The vehicle also featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize battery usage. Regenerative braking and Max Regen settings enabled one-pedal driving. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by two systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, with the latter offering more advanced features for challenging terrains. The Trailhawk trim boasted 10.9 inches of ground clearance and a maximum wading depth of 24 inches. However, the 4xe's towing capacity was limited to 6,000 pounds, less than the V6 and V8 models.

For 2023, Volvo replaced the older turbocharged 2.0-liter engines (T5 and T6) in the XC90 with new B5 and B6 engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 engine, equipped with both a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. These mild-hybrid systems improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, although the gains were minimal. The electric motors in these systems powered a 13-volt starter generator, reducing the engine's load and handling functions like climate control and ignition.

The XC90's mild-hybrid setup didn't allow for electric-only driving but offered advantages over regular gas engines, such as imperceptible auto stop-start technology. The vehicle provided a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with minimal body roll despite its size. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, and the brakes inspired confidence. The XC90 lacked extensive off-road features, focusing instead on a straightforward driving experience. During testing, the XC90 handled a New Hampshire snowstorm without major issues, although dedicated winter tires would have been preferable.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, unlike its gas-powered counterpart, was not available as an L model with a third row of seats. However, the existing seats offered ample space for passengers. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet, slightly improving over the previous generation. Head and legroom were sufficient for both front and rear passengers, making it a comfortable family vehicle for up to four people. The available air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, lowering the vehicle for easier loading and unloading. Despite testing in hot Texas weather, the standard heated steering wheel would be a welcome feature in colder climates.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats provided a peaceful and pleasant experience, but the minimalist design led to some storage frustrations. There was limited cubby space for smaller items, and the lack of a dedicated cell phone space was noticeable. The USB port for phone charging was located in the small center console bin. While the XC90's safety features made it appealing for families, the space and ease of access behind the front row could be frustrating. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. Removing the middle seat for captain's chairs required an upgrade to the B6 engine and an additional cost.

With the third row in place, the XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. These figures fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car, contributing to its appeal.

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 select various displays and widgets for personalized screen layouts. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display, standard on the base trim but optional on the Overland and Summit trims. The frameless 10.25-inch digital driver information display was standard on all trims, offering a customizable gauge cluster. A wireless charging pad was optional, while four USB ports were standard. Rear-seat entertainment screens running Amazon's Fire TV for Auto were also available. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, highly regarded for its audio quality, was available on higher trims.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offering included a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The 12.3-inch driver information display also showed Google Maps. Natural-language recognition, powered by Google, enhanced the user experience, and owners could issue commands to the XC90 via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to some frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, requiring screen interaction for tasks like adjusting the heated steering wheel or driver's seat position. While these issues might fade with long-term use, they could be annoying during a test drive.

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, lane-keeping assist, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional upgrades 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 an OTA update. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee or the Grand Cherokee 4xe at the time of review.

Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in the 2023 XC90, which carried a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS in 2022. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and supported highway driving. These safety features were standard on the 2023 XC90, reinforcing Volvo's reputation for producing some of the safest vehicles on the road.