2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over the years, mellowing since its debut. Although the very short grille opening and swept-back headlights remained questionable, familiarity improved its proportions over time. Its look varied significantly with the trim level chosen. An entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) appeared generic, akin to rental cars. However, an 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels looked much better with painted lower body cladding.

Jeep's roof designs consistently stood out. The Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof showcased this attention to detail, covering the entire roof surface. While not as iconic as the Wrangler’s multiple roof options or the Renegade’s sliding top, it was still a sleek feature. The Cherokee had the advantage of being distinctive in a parking lot. Amid the sea of crossover SUVs, it bore a recognizable resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L added a substantial 11.4 inches in length to accommodate a third row of seats, a notable change from its two-row sibling. This additional mass and extended wheelbase blended seamlessly into its body, making the non-L version appear truncated. Jeep cleverly launched the L model first, setting a new standard for the Grand Cherokee’s look.

From any angle, the Grand Cherokee L was undeniably a Jeep. Traditional elements like the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches were modernized with slimmer, brighter lights. The paint finish and panel fit were markedly superior. Whether in the base Laredo trim or the high-end Summit Reserve, it looked impressive. The high-end trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. Jeep also introduced new exterior colors for 2022, including Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L exuded luxury. Dual high-resolution screens, real wood accents, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof created an upscale environment. Even in an all-black interior, subtle details and contrasting elements kept it visually appealing. The lighter tan leather was even more luxurious, although it required passengers to be cautious about cleanliness.

In 2021, the Jeep Cherokee offered three engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower for the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims, a 3.2-liter V-6 boosting output to 271 hp, and a 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder producing 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine took around 7.2 seconds to reach 60 mph, while the turbo-four did it in about 7.4 seconds—acceptable but not exhilarating. Each engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which improved over the years despite early issues.

The Cherokee's off-road credibility was bolstered by the Trailhawk model, featuring Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, making it surprisingly adept on trails. The availability of FWD helped keep prices competitive, especially for rental fleets, but it was advisable to check the VIN to confirm the driveline.

For the 2022 Grand Cherokee L, two engines were available: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6, with 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, felt underpowered for the vehicle’s size and weight. The V8, exclusive to higher trims, delivered a robust 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, offering a superb sound and stronger performance.

Fuel economy for the V6 stood at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The V8’s economy was lower at 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L excelled in ride composure and steering feel, thanks to an exceptional chassis and optional air suspension with five height settings. Jeep's driving modes were user-friendly, and the Grand Cherokee L acquitted itself well on lousy roads, despite being primarily optimized for on-road comfort. Towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds for RWD models to 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee fitted between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee. Compared to compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, it lagged in cargo space, offering just 26 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded. Passenger volume was around 102 cubic feet, making it competitive but not spacious.

The interior layout was simple and functional, concentrating on practicality over luxury or technology overload. Interior quality varied across trims—Latitude trims had lots of black plastic, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux boasted more upscale materials, like suede seat inserts and perforated Nappa leather.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L offered ample interior space in all rows, including the third row, which was notably comfortable for adults. Second-row captain's chairs came standard, and a bench seat was an optional extra. A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced long journeys. However, the air vents were less effective, often compelling the driver to turn up the fan, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's Uconnect infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly interface and functional climate control. It offered 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens depending on the trim, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Remote start was available, adding convenience. The simplicity and effectiveness of the Uconnect system were consistent across various Stellantis vehicles.

In contrast, the 2022 Grand Cherokee L’s Uconnect 5 system featured sharper graphics and sleeker design while maintaining straightforward physical switches for ease of use. Upper trims boasted premium features like massage modes, a head-up display, night vision, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system integrated well with the digital instrument panel. For 2022, Jeep added optional touchscreens for rear-seat passengers and a new front passenger display.

Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors were standard. Higher trims offered advanced features like automatic parking, traffic sign recognition, and a high-end McIntosh stereo.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee received "Good" ratings in every crashworthiness category from the IIHS but didn't earn a Top Safety Pick due to its headlight performance. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L hadn’t been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS by the time of review. It featured standard driver and passenger knee airbags, rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. Driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were standard, with more advanced options available on higher trims.