2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, adding 11.4 inches in length to accommodate a third row of seats. This extension also included a five-inch longer wheelbase, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. The additional mass and extended rear blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep's decision to release the L model first in 2021, followed by the two-row version in 2022, contributed to this perception.

The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end, while modernizing the lighting and improving paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing their visual appeal. For 2022, Jeep introduced new exterior paint colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky. The interior boasted luxurious materials like real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, making it feel like a high-end vehicle.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received subtle styling updates, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design to improve aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo was illuminated. While the ID.4 was easily distinguishable as an EV compared to VW's gasoline models, it lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

The ID.4 was built on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs with modularity to support various models. This platform was the EV equivalent of the MQB platform used in VW's gasoline vehicles. The interior retained the minimalist design and quality feel of recent VW models, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibers. The base ID.4 Standard model, despite having a manual driver's seat, didn't feel like a significant downgrade from the higher-level ID.4 Pro S. The 2023 model also featured a conventional lid for the center console, a better phone spot, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). While a 48-volt hybrid system was available on Ram pickup trucks, it was not offered for the Grand Cherokee. However, the 4xe plug-in hybrid, which paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, provided emissions-free 4WD with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

The V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, felt underpowered for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was noticeable, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was a better option, offering a more satisfying driving experience. Fuel economy for the V6 was decent at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 14/22/17. The 4xe plug-in hybrid's fuel economy estimates were not yet available.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was a standout feature, providing a stellar ride with taut and direct steering. The optional air suspension offered adjustable ride heights and varying levels of firmness, enhancing both comfort and handling. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were commendable, with five ride height settings and driving modes that adjusted various systems for different terrains. The Grand Cherokee L had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds for 4WD models.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus retained the 82-kWh battery pack and offered both RWD and AWD options. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models increased output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The smaller battery pack reduced the vehicle's curb weight by 240 pounds, potentially improving acceleration and handling. The 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt sprightly during a short drive, but more seat time was needed for a proper comparison with the larger-battery RWD version. The AWD ID.4 offered impressive acceleration but lacked the handling finesse of hot hatchbacks like the VW Golf GTI and Golf R. The ID.4's regenerative braking system allowed for coasting in its default setting and a more aggressive "B" setting, but it didn't offer one-pedal driving, which might disappoint some EV enthusiasts.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and sharp interface. Physical switches for climate, seat controls, and stereo functions were easy to use and provided a satisfying tactile experience. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. However, some legibility issues were noted with small graphics and text, and occasional lag was observed when switching menus.

The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, including the third row, which could comfortably accommodate an average adult. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. The panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the overall comfort. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front and rear legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. The ID.4 provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it one of the most practical entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in terms of interior space, it was still a practical choice for an affordable EV.

The ID.4 also offered some towing capability, with a quoted towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. For 2023, VW made small changes to the interior, including a conventional lid for the center console, a better phone spot, and three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of high-end features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and two phones could be connected simultaneously. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers.

Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 made the formerly optional 12.0-inch touchscreen standard on all models, replacing the 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates to improve responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. Despite the updates, the user experience remained similar, with sharp graphics and a choice of smartphone-like icons or a traditional automotive split-screen view. The natural-language voice recognition system was effective, making it easier to use than the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which lacked physical feedback and could be distracting.

The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, an ambient lighting system that changed color based on drive mode and provided visual cues for navigation. While clever, it could be easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, received the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention. The only blemish was an "Average" score for the standard headlights, while the Pro S model's headlights received a "Good" score.

The ID.4 came with a good complement of standard driver-assist features, including 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, which included adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering. Emergency Assist 3.0, which automatically pulled the vehicle over if the driver was incapacitated, was also standard. For 2023, the ID.4 added standard Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system.