2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a fresh addition to the Jeep lineup, distinct from the existing Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo space. Despite the potential for confusion with its naming, the Grand Cherokee L was expected to sell well, largely due to its appealing design. It bore a resemblance to the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, offering a smaller, more affordable alternative. The SUV's design was unmistakably Jeep, with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. Available in various trims, the Grand Cherokee L's pricing ranged from $36,995 to $64,235, with a destination charge of $1,695. The Summit trim, which was tested, featured luxurious elements like quilted leather and real wood trim, though some interior materials fell short of expectations for its price.

The 2022 Buick Enclave marked a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from conservative styling to embrace a more modern SUV-focused lineup. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, had been a hit since its debut, and the 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh with updated exterior styling, including a new grille and redesigned fascias. The Avenir trim stood out with unique design elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs. The Enclave's spacious interior comfortably accommodated passengers in all three rows, and the Avenir trim added a touch of luxury with its exclusive seat stitching and trim.

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. It offered rear-wheel drive or a choice of three 4WD systems, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. The optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with certain trims and 4WD, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. However, this upgrade reduced fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The V6 engine provided brisk acceleration but was noisy when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally smooth, though it sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension offered various driving modes, including Sport and off-road settings, with up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. The SUV's handling was capable, and its stiffer structure contributed to a smooth ride.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds. The Enclave was known for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave handled various terrains with ease, providing a serene cabin experience thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The powertrain was surprisingly responsive, offering good acceleration despite the vehicle's size. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, and the engine produced pleasant sounds under throttle. While not designed for off-road adventures, the Enclave's AWD and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light trails and wintry conditions.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a comfortable interior, especially in the Summit trim, which featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment. It also had a four-zone automatic climate control system with air vents in all three rows. However, the dashboard vents were small, making it challenging to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, with manual sunshades for added convenience. The third row was surprisingly comfortable for adults, and the large side windows offered excellent visibility. While the Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants, it provided a storage console for second-row passengers. Cargo space behind the third row measured 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.6 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable cabin. Ingress and egress were effortless, and visibility was excellent thanks to large windows. The Enclave featured an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated and with power lumbar control. Premium and Avenir trims added massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's roomy interior accommodated passengers comfortably in all three rows, with the third row suitable for adults. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated easy access to the third row and offered versatility with flip-and-fold functionality. The restyled center console housed push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment with cupholders. The Enclave provided ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows down. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. It came with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, with the larger screen available in higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The natural voice-recognition system worked well, though it occasionally provided unexpected results. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system delivered impressive sound quality, particularly for bass enthusiasts. Additional 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 head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims featuring a larger 8-inch version. The Essence trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The system allowed pairing of up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously. A built-in WiFi hotspot supported up to four devices. The interface was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. The Premium and Avenir trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system, which was superior to the standard six-speaker system. The Enclave included a three-month SiriusXM 360L trial, six USB ports, and various safety features like a following-distance indicator and HD rear vision camera. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

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 effective, the steering assist felt artificial, and lane changes were more abrupt than expected. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive package of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but improvements were expected over the previous model.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates to its driver-assist and safety tech, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package becoming standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional standard features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, rear-seat reminder, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received no false alarms during testing. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings, but the Enclave received four out of five stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.