2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

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 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo volume. Despite the potential for confusion, Jeep's decision to release it as a 2021 model didn't hinder its appeal. The Grand Cherokee L's styling, reminiscent of the luxurious Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, was a significant selling point. Its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements made it instantly recognizable as a Jeep. Available 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 test vehicle, equipped with numerous high-end features, had a sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials didn't quite match the high price, the overall design, technology, and improved interior were impressive.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle changes to the rear fascia. The grille appeared more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look. Unlike rugged competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, the Equinox maintained a car-based crossover appearance, though its tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia made it less car-like than the Ford Escape. The dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the center, and the materials and fit and finish were decent for the price. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, giving it a bit more personality. However, the black interior felt too subdued.

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 (RWD) or three different four-wheel-drive (4WD) systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. 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 V6 engine provided brisk acceleration but was loud when revved, and the eight-speed automatic transmission sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg in testing. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension offered various driving modes, including Sport, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, with up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. The Grand Cherokee L's stiffer structure provided a smooth ride and capable handling, with easy parking aided by a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). While the Equinox had more torque than most rivals, it had less horsepower. The engine provided good torque for city driving but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds, with rough shifts from the automatic transmission. The Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the solidity and refinement of competitors like the Honda CR-V, though it was decently comfortable on poorly maintained pavement.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, 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 plenty of legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades. The third row was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for a great view. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants but offered a storage console for second-row passengers. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.6 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox had seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front-seat legroom was limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The tall seating position provided an unobstructed forward view, though the rear pillars created a blind spot, and the small rear window hampered rear visibility. The climate control buttons and knobs were prominently placed below the touchscreen, making them easy to access. The Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, near the bottom of the segment. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with a choice of 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services, including 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 sounded terrific but didn't fit the interior's overall vibe. 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 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trim levels offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen, with available navigation and a Bose 7-speaker audio system. The 8-inch touchscreen was responsive and easy to use, with large, smartphone-like menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, and the Equinox offered plenty of USB ports and power outlets. However, the center-console slot for phones was too small.

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. The system worked well but felt artificial in the driver's hands. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats from either side at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a complete package of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's flaws.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It received the highest "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The Equinox also received an "Acceptable" score for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the Equinox a five-star overall safety rating. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, a Safety Alert Seat, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, and a surround-view camera system.