2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly with the A-Spec Package, boasted a sleek and sporty look. By successfully avoiding excessive blacked-out trims or exaggerated performance cues, the A-Spec styling remained subtle, promoting a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. The RDX did not pretend to be an off-roader, as evident from its lack of oversized skid plates and bulging fender flares. This approach precisely mirrored its design intention—an SUV built for daily commuting and road trips. The A-Spec trim sat comfortably in the middle of the RDX model range, which began at $38,200, and could climb up to $47,625 when fully equipped with the SH-AWD system and added features. Inside, the A-Spec package enriched the cabin with front sport seats featuring simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, dark brushed aluminum trim, red ambient lighting, and unique gauges. However, the red-on-silver gauge cluster faced criticism due to its readability issues during the day.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the Grand Cherokee’s reputation, adding a third row due to its increased length, making it 11.4 inches longer than the standard model and enhancing second-row legroom. The design successfully blended this extra length into the body, making the two-row Grand Cherokee appear truncated by comparison. This Grand Cherokee L maintained the iconic Jeep look with modernized elements like slimmer, brighter lighting. For 2022, the Grand Cherokee L offered new exterior colors such as Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky. Higher-end trims like the Summit and Summit Reserve featured enhancements like black roofs and larger wheels, adding a touch of elegance. Inside, it offered premium touches comparable to luxury brands, with features like real wood and aluminum accents, quilted Nappa leather, and dual high-resolution screens. Its detail and the feeling of luxury extended even to the all-black interiors, making it a high-end competitor in the SUV segment.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a single engine option across all trims: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission and optional SH-AWD, enabled the RDX to offer a driving experience that was both engaging and versatile. The SH-AWD system could direct up to 70% of the engine output to the rear wheels, significantly improving handling. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to switch between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, each altering the drivetrain's response and steering feel. The A-Spec version sat on 20-inch alloy wheels with larger performance all-season tires, enhancing its sporty character. While the RDX performed admirably in various driving conditions, it lacked the adaptive dampers found in the Advance Package, leading to a bit more body motion on uneven roads.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two traditional engines: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, the Grand Cherokee L introduced a 4xe plug-in hybrid variant, which combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack for a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The V6, though capable, struggled to move the Grand Cherokee L’s considerable weight efficiently, especially when fully loaded. Its eight-speed automatic transmission often upshifted early, dulling the engine's responsiveness. Opting for the V8 or the plug-in hybrid provided a more spirited driving experience. The Grand Cherokee L’s air suspension was a standout feature, offering five ride height settings and ensuring a smooth ride across various terrains. The vehicle's off-road capability was enhanced through different driving modes, although truly rough trails required the Overland trim with all-terrain tires and skid plates.

In terms of interior space, the 2021 Acura RDX delivered impressive passenger and cargo space for a compact SUV. The front seats, particularly in the A-Spec trim, offered 12-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and superior bolstering. The overall comfort in the front was an Acura hallmark. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to the flat seat cushions and excessive recline angle. Cargo space measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a possible maximum of 79.8 cubic feet when measured by Acura's unconventional method. Practical storage solutions included a storage well and under-floor compartments, making the RDX highly versatile.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L excelled in accommodating passengers, including the third row. All rows offered ample legroom and headroom, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench optional. The interior boasted luxurious materials and thoughtful design details, ensuring comfort even during long journeys. However, the air vents were somewhat inadequate, necessitating a higher fan setting that introduced more cabin noise. The L’s cargo space was generous, benefiting from its extended length, which provided more usable space than the two-row variant. The air suspension's height settings facilitated easy entry and exit, adding to its practicality.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which did not rely on a traditional touchscreen but instead used a touch-sensing pad on the center console. While intended to reduce driver distraction, it required a significant adjustment period for users accustomed to touchscreen interfaces. Despite its innovation, the TTI remained a contentious feature due to its learning curve and ease of input errors. Positively, Acura integrated several physical knobs and buttons for essential controls, ensuring some degree of user-friendliness. The vehicle also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Key by Amazon In-Car Delivery. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which was highly praised for its sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L stood out with its UConnect 5 infotainment system known for its intuitive and sleek interface. The system featured easily accessible physical switches for essential functions, enhancing user convenience. Depending on the trim, the touchscreen size varied from 8.4 inches to 10.1 inches, though some legibility issues were noted. Newly added features for 2022 included a passenger-side touchscreen and rear-seat entertainment screens equipped with Amazon Fire TV. Advanced driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking came standard, with more premium features available on higher trims like the Summit and Summit Reserve. These included luxury touches such as a head-up display, night vision, and a rear-facing camera displaying the rear rows via the central touchscreen.

Every 2021 Acura RDX came equipped with AcuraWatch, which included vital safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert required an upgrade to the Technology Package. Despite these shortcomings, the RDX received high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had standard safety features that included knee airbags for both driver and passenger, a rear-seat alert, and trailer sway control. Though it had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time, it benefited from a comprehensive suite of driver aids across its trims, promising solid safety credentials.