2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, was a striking vehicle that eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX still looked dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was impeccable, featuring smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere, with only the faint roar of the V8 engine audible. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the GX 460 Premium, started at $60,535.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe blended past and present with its iconic seven-slot grille, now featuring active shutters for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with trim levels including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The test vehicle, an Overland trim, was painted silver with a contrasting black roof and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Grand Cherokee 4xe felt incredibly comfortable, with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, there was a noticeable amount of hard plastic materials, particularly below the hip point, which raised concerns about durability and noise over time.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds and achieve a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40% of the engine's power to the front wheels and 60% to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions. The GX's drag coefficient was 0.35, contributing to its EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the GX returned 16.8 mpg. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped maximize wheel articulation off-road while reducing excessive body motions on pavement. The GX's slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal were its least appealing aspects.

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, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieved 56 MPGe and a total driving range of 470 miles. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered 25 miles of all-electric driving range and featured an electronic front-axle disconnect to save fuel. The E Select powertrain modes included Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, with regenerative braking and a Max Regen setting for one-pedal driving. The Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II off-road systems provided varying levels of capability, with the Trailhawk trim offering 10.9 inches of ground clearance and a maximum wading depth of 24 inches. The 4xe's towing capacity was 6,000 pounds, less than the V6- and V8-powered models.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. Its tall height, narrow width, and short length made it easy to maneuver in various situations. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated. However, the rear door openings were narrow, making entry difficult. The third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults, with limited rear crush space. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, a two-row SUV, offered ample space for passengers. Folding the second row down expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet. The available air suspension provided a quick-down function for easier loading and unloading. Despite testing in hot conditions, the standard heated steering wheel would be appreciated in winter. The Grand Cherokee 4xe served as a comfortable and capable family vehicle, with no issues regarding head or legroom in the front or back seats.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also included Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an android-powered interface with customization options like My Pages. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included 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 was available on higher trims and provided excellent audio quality. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of screens and customization options, enhancing the user experience.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally outdated, lacked crash-test ratings. It included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked advanced safety technologies like lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and semi-autonomous driving systems.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered standard 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. Jeep announced a hands-off driver assistance feature suite, but it required additional hardware and was not available to early buyers. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Grand Cherokee or Grand Cherokee 4xe.