2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 GMC Yukon

Before delving into the details, it helps to understand the background. In 2021, Jeep offered two Grand Cherokee models: an old, five-passenger two-row version and the all-new seven-passenger Grand Cherokee L. Unlike its predecessor, the 2021 Grand Cherokee L wasn't merely an extended version. It was based on the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee and came with a third-row seat and enhanced cargo volume. Despite the potential confusion in naming, Jeep banked on the Grand Cherokee L's styling to drive its sales.

The latest Grand Cherokee L looked instantly recognizable as a Jeep with features like the signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. It closely resembled the high-end Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, which likely enhanced its appeal. The SUV was available in six trim levels, from the base Laredo to the luxurious Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235, excluding a $1,695 destination charge. The test vehicle came with the Summit trim, loaded with features like four-wheel drive, metallic paint, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system, pushing the window sticker to $64,770.

Despite some lapses in interior material quality given the price, the Grand Cherokee L Summit’s quilted and perforated leather and real wood trims added to its upscale feel. The redesigned interior was a significant improvement over the older model, packed with the latest technology.

In comparison, the 2022 GMC Yukon boasted a distinctive chrome-heavy aesthetic, particularly at higher trims like the Denali. The chrome-dominated front end gave it a bold, commanding presence. The 22-inch aluminum wheels on the Denali further accentuated its flashy appearance, especially against the dark Redwood Metallic paint.

While the Denali exuded luxury, the off-road-oriented AT4 had its own unique styling cues, including a dark grille, skid plate, and red recovery hooks. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight, with options reducing capacity to seven for added comfort. Cloth seats came standard on SLE, while other trims featured perforated leather, with heated and cooled seats for the AT4 and Denali.

The third-row seats were significantly more comfortable compared to earlier models, thanks to the redesign that added over 10 inches of legroom. This added comfort didn't compromise cargo space, which also saw an increase.

Our Denali test vehicle shined with a plush Teak/Light Shale interior, offering a premium look enhanced with unique stitching and wood details. The AT4, too, had a distinctive interior with Brandy accents and dark brushed aluminum. The power-retractable, illuminated assist steps on the Denali Ultimate Package added practical luxury, despite the challenge they posed in wet conditions.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered either rear-wheel drive or three four-wheel-drive systems featuring a front-axle disconnect technology. It managed a respectable tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving.

An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine elevated the power to 357 hp and torque to 390 lb-ft, boosting the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but at the cost of fuel economy, which dropped to 17 mpg combined. This upgrade was available only on higher trims and added $3,295 to the price.

Our test vehicle, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, offered decent acceleration but could get loud when pushed. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally smooth, although it hesitated to downshift, likely to save fuel. However, our test loop indicated an underwhelming 17.8 mpg.

Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system offered several driving modes, including a Sport mode that improved ride control despite holding revs too long. The Off-Road settings elevated ground clearance to as much as 10.9 inches, complemented by a Quadra-Drive II system for serious off-roading. The new stiffer structure contributed to a smoother ride and better handling.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered more engine choices, including the standard 5.3-liter V8 delivering 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, available on the AT4 and standard on the Denali. The new 3.0-liter turbodiesel, producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, added another option with excellent fuel economy.

All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Most models featured standard rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive optional, except on the AT4, which came exclusively with 4WD. Depending on the model, the Yukon could maximize towing capacity up to 8,400 pounds with the 5.3-liter engine combined with the Max Trailering Package.

Our Denali test vehicle, with the 6.2-liter V8, provided ample power and a satisfying exhaust note, although it lacked the depth of some rivals. The independent rear suspension, a new addition, enhanced passenger and cargo space and ride quality, even at the third row. Some bouncing at the rear persisted over rough roads, but the overall ride, aided by the optional air ride adaptive suspension, was smooth and quiet, particularly for long highway drives.

Comfort in the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit was ensured with features like 12-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, along with a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were inadequately sized, leading to noisy yet insufficient cooling.

Standard captain’s chairs in the second row provided ample legroom and comfort, with optional bench seating available. A clever design allowed seats to slide forward without removing child safety seats, easing access to the third row, which was spacious enough for most adults. The lack of practical storage for front-seat occupants was a drawback, although second-row passengers benefited from a storage console.

Cargo capacity behind the third row was 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and maxing out at 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Yukon addressed previous third-row space issues with a redesign, increasing legroom from 24.8 inches to 34.9 inches. Cargo space also improved to 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row. The increased dimensions mainly resulted from a stretch in wheelbase and overall length, combined with a switch to independent rear suspension for a lower floor.

Second-row seats in the Yukon folded flat and offered power fold-and-tumble bucket seats for easy third-row access. Our Denali test vehicle featured power-folding second-row buckets and a power fold-flat third row. An interesting feature was the power-sliding center console, revealing additional storage space and a hidden drawer for valuables.

Power-retractable assist steps in the Denali Ultimate Package facilitated vehicle entry and exit, although they could be a nuisance in wet conditions. The pushbutton transmission controls offered a modern touch, simplifying operations.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured Jeep’s latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The larger screen in our test vehicle provided a blend of familiar and quirky new interface elements. Key features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, connected services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The McIntosh 19-speaker audio system, though powerful, had a somewhat dissonant aesthetic.

Additional tech features included a digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, and a thermal-imaging night vision system. The Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system was a standout, allowing precise checks on rear-seat occupants. Notably, the head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with standard high-tech features, headlined by a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information center that presented various data like phone, audio, and navigation functions between the primary gauges. Our Denali included a class-leading 15-inch multi-color head-up display, stretching across the instrument cluster hood and displaying comprehensive information, including safety alerts and an off-road inclinometer.

A 10.2-inch touchscreen sat atop the center stack, featuring Google Built-In services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wire-free charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bose 14-speaker audio system, however, delivered underwhelming sound quality compared to other Bose systems.

The Denali Ultimate Package equipped our test Yukon with a rear-seat media system featuring dual 12.6-inch HD touchscreens, compatible with a range of media formats. Users needed a lightning to HDMI adapter for connecting phones or tablets.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering for enhanced highway driving. However, the steering assist felt somewhat artificial. An upcoming hands-free version was promised for the 2022 model year. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, provided extra safety by detecting and braking for cross-traffic threats at intersections.

Jeep's complete package of safety technologies included parallel and perpendicular park assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings weren't available, though improvements were expected over the older model's scores.

Every 2022 GMC Yukon featured the Pro Safety suite, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. The Pro Safety Plus package added more features like blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist.

Additional safety features in the Yukon included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat for potential dangers and an adjustable rear camera mirror. The NHTSA had awarded the 2022 Yukon an overall four-star rating, with individual scores of four stars for front and side crash protection and three stars for rollover resistance. The IIHS hadn't yet tested the current-generation Yukon.