2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. The Elite trim, in particular, boasted perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length to accommodate a third row of seats, was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. The wheelbase stretched five inches for more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The L's design seamlessly integrated the extra mass, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches, but with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, adding to their impressive appearance. For 2022, new exterior paint colors included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, with a tested average of 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, which was a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it had a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with firm but comfortable suspension and well-managed body motions. However, the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use during a heatwave.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, but it felt underpowered for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. The V6 achieved an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 14/22/17 mpg. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, with 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 Grand Cherokee L could tow up to 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, and the Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with sleek graphics and physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs or an optional 60/40 split bench seat. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced passenger comfort. However, the air vents were small and struggled to provide adequate airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's EX trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and more. The Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription services offered additional features like automatic collision notification and remote operation of the engine and door locks. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, but the lack of a touchscreen disappointed some users.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims offered premium features like massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. New for 2022, optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers added to the tech offerings. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The Summit trims added more advanced features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features for 2021, with Honda Sensing now standard on all trims. The system included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS and had top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

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, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The Summit trims added more advanced safety features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition.