2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh that included a revised exterior. The new standard LED headlights flanked a hexagonal grille, giving the Pacifica a more muscular look compared to its previous elegant design. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp running the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. Six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents, were also introduced.

Inside, the Pacifica differentiated itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches. The Pinnacle trim, in particular, offered a luxurious experience with quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The flat dashboard, anchored by a 10.1-inch touchscreen, combined with Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and real metal surrounds, made it the poshest minivan available. The Pacifica also excelled in sound deadening, providing a quiet cabin environment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length to accommodate a third row, offered a blend of elegance and Jeep's rugged identity. The seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and modernized lighting maintained the Jeep aesthetic, while the paint finish and panel fit were notably improved. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing the vehicle's premium look. New exterior paint colors like Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky were also available.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L featured dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, creating a luxurious environment. The interior layout was reminiscent of a Mercedes, offering a high level of style and tactile quality. Even in all-black, the interior provided enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated. The lighter tan leather option added a touch of sophistication, though it required extra care to maintain its pristine condition.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a traditional 3.6-liter V6 engine with 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and a V6 hybrid engine paired with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered either all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain.

AWD was a new addition to the Pacifica lineup, automatically activating when needed to improve traction and deactivating to enhance fuel efficiency. The hybrid model, designated as the Pacifica Hybrid, had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of more than 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with slightly lower numbers for the AWD version.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 engine, while adequate, struggled to provide sufficient power for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available only on higher trims, offered a more robust performance.

Fuel economy for the V6 was decent at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis, however, was stellar, providing excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The vehicle's driving modes, similar to Land Rover's, adjusted various systems for optimal performance on different terrains.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided ample space and a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing traditional armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area with a rubberized bin, ideal for various items. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and Stow ’n Go seats with in-floor storage bins.

The second-row under-console storage was a standout feature, providing a sliding bin for charging cords, tissues, and other small items. The second and third rows offered plenty of legroom, though taller adults would be more comfortable in the middle row. The Stow ’n Go seats tumbled into the floor for easy loading, even in AWD models. The rear cargo area was spacious, with the Pacifica Pinnacle offering best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The interface was sleek and sharp, with physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions. The central rotary shifter was easy to use, and there was a large bin for wireless phone charging and a big central cubby under the armrest. Lower trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the cabin experience. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology that elevated its minivan capabilities. Hands-free sliding doors were available on mid-grade and above models. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was graphically appealing, responsive, and easy to use, though it lacked a head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available.

A six-speaker sound system was standard, with three upgrades available, including a 20-speaker Harman Kardon system that provided a high-quality listening experience. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with a rear-facing child seat view, split-view display, and zoom-to-seat feature, enhancing in-cabin safety and convenience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view for better navigation on twisty roads.

New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 on the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lock out, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The Summit trims offered additional safety features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition.