2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new seven-passenger model distinct from the existing five-passenger Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and more cargo volume. Despite the potential confusion of its model year designation, the Grand Cherokee L was expected to sell well due to its appealing styling, which resembled a smaller version of the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. The SUV's design was unmistakably Jeep, with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, making it attractive across all trim levels.

The Grand Cherokee L was available in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The test vehicle featured the Summit trim, four-wheel drive, metallic paint, and several premium packages, bringing the total cost to $64,770. While some interior materials and fittings did not meet the high price expectations, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology represented a significant improvement over the old model.

The 2022 BMW X3 was available in four variants: sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and M, with the sDrive30i being the only rear-wheel-drive model. For 2022, the X3 received a revised exterior design with a slightly more aggressive stance, featuring a larger kidney grille, slimmer adaptive full LED headlights, and new vertical air intakes. The rear end saw new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs, along with larger redesigned exhaust tips and a new bumper. The X3 also offered an M Sport Package for sDrive30i and xDrive30i models, which included larger front air intakes, a sportier rear bumper, and additional side air-curtain panels.

The X3's exterior changes included new paint options and aerodynamically optimized 19-inch wheels for improved fuel economy. The M40i variant featured a BMW M grille with high-gloss black double-bar inserts, M exterior mirrors, and M-designed light-alloy wheels. Inside, the X3's cabin presented a clean and efficient design with dark oak wood trim, an anthracite headliner, and eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats. The interior also featured tri-zone automatic climate control, new perforated SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery, and a panoramic moonroof. The X3 offered various interior color choices and ambient lighting with 11 color combinations.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive or one of three 4WD systems. The V6 engine offered a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims and 4WD, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined.

The test vehicle featured the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration but becoming loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally well-behaved, though it sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg during testing, below expectations. The Jeep offered various driving modes, including Sport, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, with the Summit's Quadra-Drive II 4WD system including an electronic locking differential and a low-range transfer case setting. The Quadra-Lift suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability, making the Grand Cherokee L capable of tackling challenging terrain.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters as standard. The X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. The sDrive30i had an EPA-rated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i offered 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The X3 M40i variant featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a new mild-hybrid system, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The M40i had a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The mild-hybrid system provided smoother start/stop operation and an additional 11 hp during acceleration but did not improve overall fuel economy. The X3 M40i also featured a flap-controlled sports exhaust system, sport brakes, an adaptive suspension, and an AWD system tuned for a rear-oriented torque split, offering a more dynamic driving experience compared to the xDrive30i.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a comfortable and practical interior, especially in the Summit trim, which featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades for added convenience. The third-row seats were also comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows offering a great view.

The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants, but second-row passengers enjoyed a storage console between the captain's chairs. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 17.2 cubic feet, with a useful storage bin underneath the load floor. Folding the third-row seat down increased cargo capacity to 46.9 cubic feet, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 84.6 cubic feet.

The 2022 BMW X3 provided a comfortable and practical interior with seating for five and ample storage space. The rear seats featured a standard 40/20/40-split, offering enough cargo room for backpacks and additional carry-on suitcases. A power tailgate was standard, with an optional hands-free opening available. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the upgraded Vernasca leather adding more softness and pliability. The X3's sport seats were supportive, but the thigh-support cushion control handle could be an issue for some drivers.

The X3's redesigned center console resembled newer BMW models, with a standard 10.25-inch infotainment system and an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. The vehicle's ergonomics had improved, with easier accessibility to frequent touchpoints. The center console featured push-button and rocker-style controls for climate and heated seat functions, audio controls, and a redesigned lower area encompassing the gear selector, iDrive controller knob, and driving function buttons.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Two touchscreen sizes were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. The test vehicle had the larger screen, which included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services such as a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Uconnect 5 system also offered a natural voice-recognition system with a programmable wake phrase, which worked well during testing.

The test vehicle also featured a 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system, which provided excellent sound quality, especially for bass-heavy music. Other available features included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The Grand Cherokee's head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 BMW X3 came standard with BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, featuring a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The system included navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Amazon Alexa integration, two USB ports, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and various connected digital features. An optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches and provided a fully digital experience.

The X3's standard 12-speaker 205-watt HiFi sound system could be upgraded to a Harman Kardon surround sound system with 16 speakers and 600 watts on M40i models. Other tech options included a Convenience Package for sDrive30i and xDrive30i models, which added comfort access keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, and lumbar support. The Premium Package, available for all X3 models, included the Convenience Package plus a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, a head-up display, and gesture control.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. While the system worked well, the steering assist felt artificial, and the Jeep was overly responsive to steering input when changing lanes. For the 2022 model year, Active Driving Assist was expected to become a hands-free system. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats from either side at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary.

The Grand Cherokee L offered a complete package of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's aged structure and engineering.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) were not yet available, the 2018 X3 was named a Top Safety Pick+, and the 2022 model added more safety features and driver-assistance systems. Standard features included adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision avoidance, park distance control with auto braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection, and active pre-collision protection systems.

The available Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus, active park distance control, and a 360-degree surround camera view. The updated Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, back-up assistant, front cross-traffic alert, a 3D assisted view display, active lane-keep assist with lane centering, and side collision avoidance. Active Driving Assistant combined adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and active lane-keep assist.