2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a generic SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof as a standout feature. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a familiar sight, reflecting Jeep's design traditions and the previous year's Grand Cherokee L. The new two-row, five-passenger Grand Cherokee offered a range of trims, from the basic Laredo to the luxurious Summit Reserve. Prices ranged from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding a $1,795 destination charge. The Grand Cherokee's styling drew inspiration from the 1963 Wagoneer, with a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with the Summit Reserve trim offering premium features like quilted leather seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the gloss black finish on some controls in higher trims could be problematic due to reflections.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, but it lacked agility on twistier roads. The AWD system required manual activation and could send up to 50% of torque to the front wheels or 85% to the rear wheels, but its impact on handling was minimal. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, which was average for the segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) and came with either a V6 or a V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The available 5.7-liter V8 delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim featured advanced off-road equipment, including an electronic locking rear differential and Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Grand Cherokee's eight-speed automatic transmission had a dial-style shifter, which could be tricky to use. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain. The Grand Cherokee excelled in off-road conditions, particularly the Trailhawk trim, but the V6 was the preferred engine for its balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, while higher trims offered ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, with 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was available on higher trims, and the RS trim and above featured a power 60/40 split-folding third row. However, interior storage options were limited compared to minivans.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable experience for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. Rear-seat room was tight for adults, and the plastic front seatback trim could be uncomfortable. The two-row Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The three-row Grand Cherokee L provided more cargo space, but the two-row model was still accommodating.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had two USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. Most trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM 360L were standard. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-inch head-up display, and an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. The McIntosh 19-speaker audio system and dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV integration were available as upgrades.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it received "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) gave the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side-impact crash tests. The Traverse offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist available only on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an extensive collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a safety cage composed of aluminum and high-strength steel. The Grand Cherokee included standard ADAS features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist were new for 2022, with the latter providing Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected to arrive in 2022, allowing for hands-free driving on approved roads.