2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a streamlined version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seating instead of three. This design choice was immediately noticeable from the exterior, where the similarities were so striking that one could call the Passport the "Pilot Sport." Inside the cabin, the continuity in design was clear, as the dashboard layout of the Passport was visually identical to the Pilot's. However, both SUVs shared Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design instead of a traditional lever to manage the automatic transmission.

Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport offered a spacious interior filled with high-quality materials. The trim levels for the 2021 Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport had features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L trim added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, power rear liftgate, and walk-away auto-locking features. The Touring trim offered enhancements such as front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, an upgraded stereo system, satellite-linked navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The top-of-the-line Elite trim included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and wireless device charging.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned the L designation for being long, boasting an additional 11.4 inches compared to the standard two-row Grand Cherokee to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase stretched five inches, making the second-row legroom more generous and the rear doors wider. The Grand Cherokee L maintained its Jeep identity with the seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end, modernized with slimmer and brighter lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims flaunted black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, with Jeep introducing three new exterior paint colors—Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Stepping inside, the Grand Cherokee L's interior felt luxurious, emulating Mercedes with its dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and faux-suede roof without sharing any components. The well-executed interior layout, choice of materials, and comfort features made it a compelling option in its category.

For the 2021 Honda Passport, the only engine option was a 3.5-liter V6 that produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque delivered via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport came with either standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Despite the engine stop-start system being a bit abrupt, the V6 provided strong acceleration and the automatic transmission managed power effectively. The Passport rode smoothly, balancing comfort and handling well, although it wasn't meant for heavy off-roading. It offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and, with AWD, included Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. The FWD Passport could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the AWD variant could handle up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). A more advanced option was the 4xe plug-in hybrid, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

The V6, delivering 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, struggled to move the heavy vehicle efficiently, and the engine noise was notably loud. The transmission's programming did not enhance the weaker engine's performance, making the V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet, a more desirable choice, especially since it sounded fabulous. The chassis of the Grand Cherokee L received high praise for its ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension offered variable firmness, improving the ride quality from soft to firm as needed.

The Grand Cherokee L’s five ride height settings provided versatility, ranging from lower settings for easier entry and exit to higher settings for improved ground clearance. It featured driving modes similar to Land Rover's, where the vehicle adjusted various systems automatically based on the selected terrain. The RWD models could tow up to 6,200 pounds, while the 4WD models could handle up to 7,200 pounds.

With the rear seats folded, the 2021 Honda Passport provided a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Even with the second row in use, it still managed up to 50.5 cubic feet of cargo space and included an additional 2.5 cubic feet in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim and higher included features such as power liftgates and hands-free power liftgates.

The Passport's upright seating position enhanced visibility and gave the driver a commanding view of the road. It featured a deep center console bin and an open cargo tray below the shifter and cupholders, with deep in-door pockets for additional storage. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, and they both reclined and slid for added comfort.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's interior featured Jeep's Uconnect 5 infotainment system with straightforward graphics. The system maintained separate physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions, all easy to use with a pleasing tactile feel. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

While the Grand Cherokee L provided plenty of space in all three rows, it experienced some issues with the air vents that struggled to direct enough airflow to the cabin, forcing the fan to stay on high and creating significant noise. It included conveniences such as a sweeping panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports. Second-row captain's chairs came standard with an option for a 60/40 split bench seat.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, provided through an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system was more advanced than the three-row Pilot's base offerings but had its drawbacks, such as dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and an ill-placed volume dial.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims featured high-end technologies, including multiple massage modes for the power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and a clear 360-degree camera system. The Active Driving Assist system offered effective highway lane steering, while the navigation system could take over the instrument panel with a zoomed-in preview of upcoming turns.

Jeep added new technology for 2022, including an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors were standard features.

The 2021 Honda Passport came with numerous advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport achieved a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and received top "Good" scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for most crash tests, with a few "Acceptable" ratings as well.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by either the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, trailer sway control, and several driver aids.