2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe lineup expanded to six trim levels, including the base trim, 30th Anniversary, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Prices started at $61,660, with the Summit Reserve reaching $80,320 before options. Our test vehicle, a Trailhawk trim, came with a panoramic sunroof, Luxury Tech Group II, and Advanced ProTech Group II, bringing the MSRP to $72,630. A federal income tax credit of $3,750 could reduce the cost to $68,880. The Trailhawk was identifiable by its sky blue exterior detailing, matte-black hood decal, and unique wheels with all-terrain tires.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe fell short of luxury expectations. The interior had too much plastic and gloss black surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. While the leather and artificial suede upholstery were nice, the overall feel leaned more towards shiny and fancy rather than substantive and high-quality. The interior design prioritized style over utility, with glossy surfaces making some controls hard to read and others difficult to access while driving. However, the steering wheel controls were easy to see and use, and the vehicle provided excellent radio tuning and stereo volume controls on the back of the steering wheel spokes.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant stylistic evolution from its boxy predecessors. The front end appeared stout and solid without being ostentatious, and the grille was assertive yet not overly flashy. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch. Our test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels with low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding drama to the otherwise stoic design. The Platinum Gray paint had brown undertones, giving it richness and depth.

Inside, the XC90’s design was elegant, with a gorgeous steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The interior had a beautiful and clean look, with wood deco inlays adding a touch of nature. The minimalist design featured few buttons, contributing to a serene and sophisticated atmosphere.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain combining a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an 8-speed automatic transmission with an integrated 100-kilowatt electric motor. This setup produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. The Trailhawk had a standard four-wheel-drive (4WD) system with a two-speed transfer case, Selec-Terrain technology, and a height-adjustable air suspension with semi-active damping, providing 10.9 inches of maximum ground clearance.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered an EPA-estimated 25 miles of all-electric range and 23 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it only traveled 21.2 miles on electric power before the gasoline engine kicked in. After depleting the battery, it averaged 19.3 mpg in Auto driving mode. The vehicle excelled in off-road conditions but had drawbacks in daily driving, including an unrefined gas engine, uneven power delivery, and a regenerative braking system that made smooth stops challenging. Despite these issues, the Trailhawk provided quick acceleration in Hybrid mode, impressive ride quality, and confidence in adverse weather conditions.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 replaced its older turbocharged engines with new B5 and B6 engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, with a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness but did not provide significant fuel economy benefits.

The XC90 offered a pleasant driving experience with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle handled well, with minimal body roll and good insulation from road and wind noise. The brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. The XC90 lacked extensive off-road capabilities but provided a straightforward driving experience with minimal drive modes and no low-range 4WD. During testing, it performed well in a New Hampshire snowstorm, although dedicated winter tires would have provided additional confidence.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe had limited practical storage and cargo space. The need for serious off-roading hardware contributed to a center driveshaft tunnel, and the interior design prioritized style over utility. The Trailhawk featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with leather and artificial suede upholstery, but the seats were firm and relatively flat. The rear seat cushion was low and lacked support, and rear legroom was tight. The cargo space measured 37.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 had a peaceful and pleasant front-seat experience but limited cubby space for smaller items. The second row was comfortable and reasonably spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, but removing the middle seat for captain’s chairs cost $500 and required upgrading to the B6 engine. The third row was difficult to access and offered limited space. The cargo space measured 12.5 cubic feet with the third row in position, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, which was less than some competitors.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Trailhawk’s infotainment system used Uconnect 5 technology, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and Jeep Connect services. The system had a simple user interface but low-contrast graphics that could be hard to read. The voice recognition system was average, and the digital instrumentation could be configured to personal preferences. The Trailhawk also had an optional wireless smartphone charger and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS. The system included Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The natural-language recognition was excellent, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design lacked physical buttons and redundant controls, making some features challenging to use. Despite these issues, the Google OS provided a smart and integrated tech experience.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came equipped with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera with rear parking sensors. The Trailhawk added an active blind-spot monitoring system, intersection assist, a surround-view camera, front parking sensors, automatic reverse braking, and a Night Vision system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), although the IIHS rating did not specifically include the 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was well-regarded for its safety features, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The XC90 included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance from the car ahead and provided gentle nudges back into the lane. These safety features were standard on the 2023 Volvo XC90, contributing to its reputation as one of the safest vehicles on the road.