BMW X7 vs Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2023 BMW X7 underwent a significant design update, drawing inspiration from the redesigned BMW 7 Series sedan. The most noticeable change was at the front, where LED accent lights replaced the previous headlights, which were now recessed. The oversized kidney grille remained a polarizing feature, and the new styling was expected to be equally controversial. BMW aimed for a bolder design, achieving a more commanding presence, though some felt it came at the expense of grace and cohesiveness. The interior received a refresh with a curved glass housing for the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, along with a more elemental dashboard design. The interior materials were of high quality, with supple leather upholstery and a new Sensafin synthetic substitute. Despite some harsh reflections from glossy trim choices, the interior revisions gave the X7 a modern and elegant appearance.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe expanded its lineup with the introduction of the 30th Anniversary edition, bringing the total to six trim levels. The Trailhawk trim, which we tested, featured sky blue exterior detailing and a matte-black hood decal. It also boasted unique wheels with aggressive all-terrain tires and the Trail Rated badge, signifying its off-road prowess. However, the interior fell short of expectations, with excessive plastic and gloss black surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. The leather and artificial suede upholstery were nice, but the overall interior leaned too heavily on style over substance. The glossy surfaces made controls difficult to read, and some were inconveniently located. Despite these drawbacks, the Trailhawk's steering wheel controls were easy to use, and the vehicle provided excellent radio tuning and stereo volume controls on the back of the steering wheel spokes.

The 2023 BMW X7 offered a choice between two powerful engines. The base xDrive40i model featured a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain could accelerate the X7 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The X7 M60i model upgraded to a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with a similar hybrid system, delivering 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, achieving 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 handled well on the road, with potent acceleration from the V8 and adequate performance from the six-cylinder. The ride was slightly firmer compared to other luxury SUVs, but it maintained a good balance of performance and comfort.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid 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. This setup produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. The Trailhawk trim came with a standard four-wheel-drive system, Selec-Terrain technology, and a height-adjustable air suspension, providing impressive off-road capabilities. However, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's performance fell short in some areas. It offered an EPA-estimated 25 miles of all-electric range and 23 mpg in hybrid mode, but real-world testing showed lower figures. The gas engine sounded unrefined, and power delivery was uneven. Despite these drawbacks, the Trailhawk excelled in off-road conditions, providing quick acceleration in Hybrid mode and impressive ride quality.

The 2023 BMW X7 offered ample space for passengers and cargo. The second-row seats comfortably accommodated taller passengers, and the large sunroof and windows enhanced the airy feeling. Accessing the third row required some patience, but it provided adequate head- and legroom for average-sized adults. Behind the third row, there was 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 48.6 cubic feet with the third row folded and 90.4 cubic feet with the middle seats down. The X7 featured a split tailgate and a button to lower the suspension for easier loading. Front-seat passengers had ample storage space, including a large covered bin in the center console.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe fell short in terms of interior space and storage. The Trailhawk trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with leather and artificial suede upholstery, but the seats were firm and relatively flat. Rear legroom was tight, and the rear seat cushion lacked support. The Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This cargo capacity was smaller than some compact SUVs, limiting its practicality for larger loads.

The 2023 BMW X7 featured the latest iDrive infotainment system, which was a step backward in some ways. While basic functions like temperature adjustments and audio controls were easy to use, many physical buttons were eliminated, requiring users to navigate the infotainment screen for functions like seat heating and adaptive cruise control adjustments. Voice commands were available but could be slow to process and interrupt audio playback. The system's complexity and lack of physical buttons for frequently used features were drawbacks.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted multiple screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen. The Trailhawk trim featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, the low-contrast graphics and topographical background pattern made the display appear washed out and harder to read. The voice recognition system was average, and the system's Apps screen could be configured for quick access to favorite functions. The Trailhawk also had a 10.3-inch infotainment screen for the front passenger, supporting Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI connectivity.

The 2023 BMW X7 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warning, adaptive headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. The M60i trim added a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward cross-traffic alerts, and a semi-automated parking function. The highway driving assist feature significantly reduced driver fatigue on long trips. While crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable, BMW's reputation and the extensive safety features provided confidence in passenger protection.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Trailhawk trim 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 NHTSA, with a four-star rating for driver protection in a frontal-impact collision. IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but the rating did not specifically apply to the 4xe plug-in hybrid version.