2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with wood panels and more chrome available on higher trims. The seats had a modern, angular design, but overall, the CR-V's look was less distinctive compared to rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee had a more distinctive and traditional Jeep design. It was a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, with a powertrain and trim-level lineup that mirrored its larger sibling. The Grand Cherokee was available in trims ranging from Laredo to Summit Reserve, with prices starting at $37,390. The design included Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and influences from the classic 1963 Wagoneer. Inside, the Grand Cherokee offered a range of luxurious features, especially in higher trims like the Summit Reserve, which included premium leather, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior quality was high across all trims, with even the base Laredo feeling more expensive than it was.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not built for high performance but for smooth and steady driving. It featured a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, excluding the hybrid versions. The CR-V's acceleration to 60 mph was around 7.8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. It came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provided a smooth but less engaging driving experience compared to competitors with conventional transmissions. The CR-V offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, providing decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered more robust performance options. It came with either a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower or a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 357 horsepower. The V6 had a tow rating of 6,200 pounds, while the V8 increased towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee featured three different 4WD systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim was particularly notable for its off-road prowess, with features like an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control. The Grand Cherokee's eight-speed automatic transmission was standard across all trims, though the dial-style shifter could be tricky to use. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to comfortably fit five people and their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The cargo area could be accessed via a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was practical and spacious, making it a strong contender for families.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee also prioritized comfort and functionality. It offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers in higher trims. Visibility was improved in the new design, making it easier to drive in various conditions. The Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. While rear-seat legroom was tight for taller passengers, the Grand Cherokee L offered more space. The two-row Grand Cherokee was still accommodating for most needs, though the three-row version was better for larger families.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system, while the EX-L added two more speakers. The Touring trim offered a 300-watt system with a subwoofer and satellite navigation. Charging ports were plentiful in all but the base trim, with USB ports and a 12-volt outlet in the front console and additional USB ports in the second row. The Touring trim also included a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse. It featured a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was standard, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Most trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch screen available as an upgrade. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. The McIntosh high-end audio system and dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV integration were available in higher trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was the blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, which was included on the EX trim and above.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee also came with an impressive array of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Its safety cage was composed of 27% mild-grade steel, with the rest being aluminum and high-strength steel. The Grand Cherokee featured Intersection Collision Assist, Active Driving Assist, and a hands-free version of Active Driving Assist coming in 2022. These systems provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. The Grand Cherokee's safety features aimed to improve its crash-test performance compared to previous generations.