2022 Chevrolet Suburban 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 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and more 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 design, characterized by Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, was universally appealing 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. Our test vehicle, a Summit trim with 4WD, metallic paint, and several premium packages, had a sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials didn't quite match the high price tag, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology represented a significant improvement over the older model. The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, redesigned for the 2021 model year, shared its exterior styling with the shorter Tahoe SUV and the Silverado 1500 pickup. Its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a supersized appearance. The Suburban was available in six trims: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premiere, and High Country, each offering unique grille, fascia, and wheel designs for customization. Our RST test vehicle, with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels, had a sporty and attractive look. Inside, the Suburban offered a spacious cabin, ranging from economically comfortable in the base LS trim to plush in the top-spec High Country. Our RST tester featured 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, and the optional Luxury package. While the cabin was generally comfortable, the predominantly black interior made it feel a bit dark. The Suburban's size and mass made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, but its spaciousness and practical features, like the power-sliding center console, were significant advantages.

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 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. Our test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration but becoming loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-behaved, though it sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg in our testing, below expectations. The Jeep offered various driving modes, including Sport, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, with the Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension providing up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. The Grand Cherokee L's stiffer structure contributed to a smooth ride and capable handling, making it easy to park and maneuver. The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter V8 was standard on all trims except the Premier, while the 6.2-liter V8 was standard on the High Country and available on the RST, Z71, and Premier. The turbodiesel engine offered excellent fuel economy and a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Our RST test vehicle had the 6.2-liter V8, part of the $3,815 Sport Performance package, including Magnetic Ride Control and dual exhaust tips. The 6.2-liter V8 provided effortless power and acceleration, making it ideal for towing. During an 80-mile tow test, the Suburban easily pulled a Chevrolet Impala sedan on a trailer, demonstrating its impressive towing capability with a maximum rating of 8,300 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with its Summit trim, featuring 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 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. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.6 cubic feet with both rows folded. The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in space, offering seating for up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most Suburbans provided seven- or eight-passenger seating, with the third row offering adequate headroom, knee room, and legroom for adults. The Suburban's cargo space was impressive, with 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded flat. The second-row seats slid forward or backward up to 5.5 inches, and both rows folded flat with ease. The Suburban's cabin featured an optional power-sliding center console, a hidden storage drawer, and numerous storage cubbies. However, its size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces, and it might not fit in some garages due to its height. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls required some adjustment for those accustomed to a column-mounted shifter.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response and an improved user experience. Two touchscreen sizes were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. Our test vehicle had the larger screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided excellent sound quality, though the logo didn't quite fit the interior's vibe. Additional technology 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 Suburban offered a surprising level of technology, with new features for 2022, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, while a 10.2-inch system with Google built-in was standard on LT and above. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and a WiFi hotspot were standard across all trims. The Suburban LS came with a basic six-speaker audio system, while the LT and above featured a nine-speaker Bose audio system. The Premier and High Country trims offered a Bose 10-speaker Surround with CenterPoint audio system. Our test vehicle had the mid-level nine-speaker Bose system, which provided decent sound quality but was inferior to the premium Bose CenterPoint system.

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. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L also offered Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist, steering the vehicle into parking spaces. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Grand Cherokee L at the time of review, but it was expected to improve upon the older model's flaws. The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured the Chevy Safety Assist suite, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, rear park assist, following distance indicator, automatic high-beam headlights, and an HD rear-vision camera. For 2022, front park assist, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-departure warning were added as standard features. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, rear pedestrian alert, reverse automatic braking, lane-changing assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and a head-up display. The Suburban received an overall rating of four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the current-generation Suburban.