2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer had a striking exterior that often drew comparisons to high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus. Its aggressive front end, slim-cut windows, and 20-inch wheels gave it a sporty and memorable appearance. The Blazer's design was a significant departure from Chevy's typically utilitarian SUVs, borrowing elements from the Camaro to create a more exciting and stylish look. However, the interior did not match the exterior's flair, with low-rent materials and an overall dark, unsatisfying cabin that felt out of place for its price range.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was elegant and unmistakably a Jeep, with its seven-slot grille and modernized lighting. The L model's extended body seamlessly integrated a third row of seats, making it look more complete than the standard two-row version. The interior was luxurious, featuring high-quality materials like quilted Nappa leather and real wood. Even in all-black, the cabin offered enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable. The Grand Cherokee L's design and build quality were reminiscent of a Mercedes, making it feel like money well spent.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer offered three engine options: a 2.5-liter inline-four with 193 horsepower, a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 227 horsepower, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower. The V6, particularly in the RS trim, provided a strong and engaging driving experience, thanks to its sport-tuned suspension and mechanical torque-vectoring rear axle. However, the transmission calibration had issues, especially in Sport mode, where it failed to downshift promptly. Fuel economy for the AWD V6 was average at 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower. The V6 felt underpowered for the vehicle's size, especially when fully loaded, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, available only on higher trims, offered a more satisfying performance. Fuel economy for the V6 was decent at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, offering a comfortable and composed ride with optional air suspension that adjusted the ride height for different driving conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, as a two-row SUV, comfortably seated four people. The low roof height did not compromise interior space, and the seats were mounted lower for easy entry and exit. However, visibility was poor due to the design, though large side-view mirrors and optional rear-view camera helped. Cargo space was 64 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 30 cubic feet when raised. The Blazer could tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 and AWD configuration.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all three rows, even accommodating adults in the third row. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with an optional 60/40 split bench seat. The interior featured a sweeping panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be on high, which was quite loud. The Grand Cherokee L also had a maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer came with an 8-inch touchscreen running Chevrolet Infotainment 3, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RS trim added wireless phone charging, LED headlights, 360 cameras, and adaptive cruise control. The system also offered unique features like GM cloud account settings and the Marketplace app for contactless payments. Standard driver assists included forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard driver aids included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered advanced features like multiple massage modes, a head-up display, and night vision with pedestrian and animal detection.

The 2021 Chevrolet Blazer scored an overall five stars from the NHTSA and received top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests, except for "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for headlights. Standard safety features included a driver's knee airbag and enhanced forward emergency braking on top trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control, along with various driver aids.