2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its attempts to stay modern, showed its age with a design that harked back to its 2007 roots. The 2018 facelift brought minor updates to the headlights and grille, but these changes were subtle against the vehicle's large silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin felt dated with a multi-tiered center dash reminiscent of the mid-2000s, and the standard 7-inch touchscreen appeared small amidst the expansive dashboard. While the front seats were bulky, they offered comfort and support, though taller drivers found themselves close to the roof, especially with the optional sunroof. The second-row seats, however, provided ample headroom and legroom, enhancing passenger comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe embraced a blend of heritage and modernity, with its iconic seven-slot grille featuring active shutters for improved aerodynamics. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available only as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, offering a spacious interior with plenty of room for passengers. The Overland trim, with its leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching, exuded a sense of luxury. However, the presence of hard plastic materials in the cabin raised concerns about durability. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's design also included gloss black elements that, while sharp-looking, were prone to fingerprints and glare.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics resembled those of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. However, it exhibited some body roll in corners. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached up to 7,400 pounds, which was respectable but fell short compared to competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe stood out with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup produced an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the output of Jeep's 5.7-liter V8. The Grand Cherokee 4xe featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, achieving 56 MPGe. It offered a total driving range of 470 miles, with 25 miles of all-electric range. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II systems, making it a versatile choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, it offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a practical feature for accessing items without fully opening the hatch. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided ample storage options with deep in-door pockets and a massive center console.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, though lacking a third row, offered generous space for passengers. Folding the second row expanded cargo space from 37.7 cubic feet to 70.8 cubic feet. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, making loading and unloading easier. Despite testing in hot conditions, the vehicle's standard heated steering wheel promised comfort in colder weather.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. While the system was user-friendly, the screen size felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's digital trip computer was also compact but easy to navigate, offering a straightforward experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe impressed with its Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering customization options through the My Pages feature. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included multiple screens, such as a 10.25-inch front-passenger display and a frameless digital driver information display. The optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens and the 19-speaker McIntosh stereo added to the vehicle's tech appeal, though some features were limited to higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, the Sequoia's older platform resulted in a four-star rating in the NHTSA's rollover test.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a mix of standard and optional advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Optional upgrades included intersection-collision assist, night vision, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. While the Grand Cherokee 4xe had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, it promised a comprehensive safety package.