2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

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 redesign, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo space. Despite the potential for confusion with its naming, the Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point. It bore a resemblance to the more expensive Wagoneer models, with its signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches, making it instantly recognizable as a Jeep. Offered in various trims, from Laredo to Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee L's price ranged from $36,995 to $64,235, with a destination charge of $1,695. The Summit trim, in particular, boasted luxurious features like quilted leather and real wood trim, although some interior materials didn't quite match the high price tag.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5's styling was a blend of Cadillac's trademark design cues and a compact footprint, resulting in a somewhat ungainly appearance. The XT5 was unmistakably a Cadillac, with its bold grille and vertical taillights, but it didn't quite match the elegance of its German competitors. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct exterior styling, with chrome accents for the former and darker trim for the latter. The XT5's interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for standout features like semi-aniline leather and a microfiber sueded headliner. Without this package, the XT5's interior didn't quite meet luxury standards, lacking a strong design theme or brand-specific markers.

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 tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with certain trims and 4WD, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The V6 engine provided brisk acceleration, though it was loud when revved, and the eight-speed automatic sometimes resisted downshifts. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension offered a smooth ride, with various off-road modes and impressive ground clearance for tackling tough terrain.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while a 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, produced 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable ride with excellent body control. The XT5's steering was well-suited to luxury driving, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive. The cabin remained quiet, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with features like heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were small, making it difficult 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 Grand Cherokee L offered practical storage solutions, though front-seat storage was limited. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favorably to German luxury crossovers in terms of interior space, offering more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though less than the BMW X3. The XT5 had more legroom in both rows but less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. Cadillac quoted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing its German rivals but falling short of the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the center console housed a rotary controller and shifter, though space was limited.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services. The test vehicle had the larger screen and a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality. Additional features included a digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5's standard infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display were available with the optional Technology Package. While usability was improved, the XT5's tech offerings were merely adequate compared to other luxury brands. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not ideally placed. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality, enhanced by the XT5's quiet interior.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. While effective, the steering assist felt artificial, and lane changes were overly responsive. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review, but improvements were expected over the previous model.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and other safety features. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking, while the Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, and night vision. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.