Compare the2022 BMW X5 MVS 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The X5 M’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X5 M has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the City Collision Mitigation in the X5 M as “Superior.” The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk scores only 2 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The X5 M has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 M has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X5 M has a standard Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The X5 M’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X5 M and the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X5 M is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

	X5 M	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Compression	91 lbs.	103 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	527/418 lbs.	574/680 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the BMW X5 M is safer than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

	X5 M	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	114	172
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	1 cm	5 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.4/1.3 kN	4.9/2.3 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	3%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Tibia index R/L	.41/.52	1.06/.54
Tibia forces R/L	2.3/.8 kN	2.3/1.3 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X5 M is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

	X5 M	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	48	121
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	584 lbs.	689 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 M the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 145 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is not a “Top Pick.”

Warranty

The X5 M comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X5 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the X5 M have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 7 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 M gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk:

			MPG
X5 M
	AWD	4.4 turbo V8	13 city/18 hwy
		Competition 4.4 turbo V8	13 city/18 hwy
Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
	AWD	6.2 supercharged V8	11 city/17 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X5 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the X5 M’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X5 M higher (3 out of 10) than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (1). This means the X5 M produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the BMW X5 M as an “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV). The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the X5 M has larger rear tires than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (315/30R21 vs. 295/45R20).

The X5 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M has standard 21-inch wheels. Only 20-inch wheels are available on the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. The X5 M offers optional 22-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

The X5 M has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the X5 M uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 M offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Jeep doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 M’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (117 inches vs. 114.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 M is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

The X5 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s (55% to 45%). This gives the X5 M more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the X5 M has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X5 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5 M Competition’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (8.4 vs. 8.1 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the X5 M uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X5 M has .9 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

The front step up height for the X5 M is 1.2 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (19.5” vs. 20.7”). The X5 M’s rear step up height is .8 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s (20” vs. 20.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The X5 M has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 68.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 M easier. The X5 M’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s liftover is 32.6 inches.

The X5 M’s cargo area is larger than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s in almost every dimension:

	X5 M	Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40.7”/70”	38.5”/74.2”
Max Width	49”	47.6”
Min Width	44”	41.7”
Height	31.5”	33.5”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X5 M’s tailgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 46% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 28th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the X5 M has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5 M has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X5 M’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The X5 M’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X5 M’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 M has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 M also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X5 M offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

The X5 M’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.