2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Ford Escape, a fourth-generation model, presented a blend of SUV and hatchback aesthetics. Its design featured a curved snout and sleek roofline, giving it a resemblance to an enlarged Ford Focus, yet maintaining the elevated ride height typical of an SUV. This design choice resulted in a less truck-like appearance compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, or Toyota RAV4, but it also appeared more generic than the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages across three of its four trim levels, enhancing its visual appeal with features like 19-inch alloy wheels, ActiveX upholstery, and leather-wrapped steering elements. However, the interior design lacked cohesion, with some odd choices and low-quality materials, even in the top-tier Titanium model.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended body, offered a more elegant and recognizable Jeep design. The L model was 11.4 inches longer than the standard Grand Cherokee, accommodating a third row of seats and providing more legroom. Its design seamlessly integrated the extra length, making the standard model appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L maintained classic Jeep elements like the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing with slimmer lighting and improved paint finishes. The interior was luxurious, featuring dual high-resolution screens, real wood, and quilted Nappa leather, reminiscent of a Mercedes in style and quality. The Grand Cherokee L's design was further enhanced with new paint colors and high-end trims that included black roofs and larger wheels.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a variety of powertrains, including two gasoline engines and hybrid options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, producing 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could opt for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. An upgrade to a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine increased output to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft, available only with AWD. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid featured a larger battery for extended electric-only driving. Despite the variety, the Escape's chassis tuning was criticized for its sloppy suspension and steering, making it less enjoyable to drive. The 2.0-liter engine models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, but towing figures for hybrid models were not specified.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both with an eight-speed automatic transmission and options for rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The V6 produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but was found lacking in power for the vehicle's size, with engine noise intruding into the cabin. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, providing a more satisfying performance. The Grand Cherokee L also featured a 4xe plug-in hybrid option, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with electric motors for 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle's chassis was praised for its ride composure and steering precision, with an optional air suspension offering adjustable ride heights. The Grand Cherokee L's towing capacity reached up to 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Ford Escape, despite its car-like styling, offered competitive interior space among compact SUVs. It featured ample headroom and legroom in both rows, with a standard sliding rear seat to adjust legroom or cargo space. Non-hybrid models provided 40.7 inches of rear legroom, while hybrid models had slightly less due to battery placement. Cargo space varied, with gasoline models offering 33.5 cubic feet with the rear seat up, expandable to 65.4 cubic feet with the seat folded. Hybrid models had reduced cargo space, maxing out at 60.8 cubic feet. However, competitors like the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester offered more cargo capacity.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L boasted a spacious interior with a user-friendly Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The system featured sleek graphics and physical switches for climate and audio controls, ensuring ease of use. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, including the third row, which could accommodate adults comfortably. Standard second-row captain's chairs allowed for six-person seating, with an optional bench seat available. The vehicle included a panoramic roof and multiple USB ports for passenger convenience. However, the air vents were noted to be insufficient, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2021 Ford Escape utilized Ford's older Sync 3 infotainment system, with base models featuring a 4.2-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrading to higher trims provided an 8-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM radio, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, it lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors' systems, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a wealth of technology, especially in upper trims. Features included massage modes for front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind spot monitoring. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and child-seat anchor ease of use. It also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. An optional package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and park assist.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time. However, it came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. It also included various driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.