2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a familiar sight, echoing Jeep's design traditions while being a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L. Jeep launched the three-row Grand Cherokee L first, followed by the shorter, sportier two-row Grand Cherokee, which shared a similar powertrain and trim-level lineup with its larger sibling. Available in trims like Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee's prices ranged from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding a $1,795 destination charge.

Driving the Grand Cherokee in Utah, it impressed across various trims and powertrains. The SUV's design, influenced by the 1963 Wagoneer, featured a seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and a black roof option. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with the Laredo trim offering good quality despite its basic interior. The Summit Reserve trim stood out for its luxury, featuring premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the gloss black finish on higher trims' controls was prone to reflections, making them harder to use.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, a plug-in hybrid, retained Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille with active shutters for improved aerodynamics. Available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, the 4xe came in trims like base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with a new High Altitude package announced at the 2022 New York International Auto Show. Our test car, an Overland trim, featured a silver exterior with a 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 comfortable and upscale, even in the base trim. The Overland trim offered leather seats, wood and metal accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the interior had a significant amount of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point, raising concerns about durability and potential noise. Gloss black materials, while sharp-looking, were prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with a choice of a V6 or V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The available 5.7-liter V8 engine delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee's fuel economy ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The Trailhawk trim, designed for serious off-roading, featured Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain driving modes. It also had a forward-facing off-road camera and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control. The V6 engine was preferred for its efficiency and good acceleration, while the V8 offered a thrilling sound but at a higher cost. The Grand Cherokee's ride quality was excellent, with or without the adaptive damping Quadra-Lift air suspension, though the latter added complexity and cost.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe's plug-in hybrid powertrain combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain outperformed the 5.7-liter V8 in terms of power and torque. The 4xe had a total driving range of 470 miles and an impressive 56 MPGe, though real-world efficiency depended on battery charge and weather conditions. The 4xe's battery provided 25 miles of all-electric driving range, and an electronic front-axle disconnect helped save fuel.

The 4xe featured E Select powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, along with regenerative braking and a Max Regen setting for one-pedal driving. It offered two off-road systems: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, with the latter providing more capability. The Trailhawk trim had 10.9 inches of ground clearance and a 6,000-pound towing capacity, lower than the V6 and V8 models.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel. Rear-seat room was tight for adults, and the plastic front seatback trim was uncomfortable. The two-row Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, available only as a two-row model, offered ample space for passengers. Folding the second row increased cargo space from 37.7 to 70.8 cubic feet. The available air suspension provided a quick-down function for easier loading and unloading. Despite testing in hot weather, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's standard heated steering wheel was appreciated for winter use.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured advanced technology, including a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and multiple touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The system was responsive and supported over-the-air updates. The optional 10.25-inch front passenger interactive display provided entertainment and assistance for the driver.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe also featured the Uconnect 5 system, with customization options like My Pages. The 10.25-inch front-passenger display was standard on the base trim but optional on Overland and Summit trims. The 10.25-inch digital driver information display and optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens with Amazon Fire TV for Auto were notable features. The 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, available on higher trims, was highly praised for its audio quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a safety cage made of aluminum and high-strength steel. Standard ADAS features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, were also available. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected in 2022.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered standard ADAS features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. 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. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee or Grand Cherokee 4xe.