2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Honda Passport

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 was likely driven by its strong styling, which resembled the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. The Grand Cherokee L was instantly recognizable as a Jeep, thanks to its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. It was available in various trims, from Laredo to Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235, plus a $1,695 destination charge.

Our test vehicle, a Summit trim with 4WD, metallic paint, and several luxury packages, had a window sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials didn't quite match the high price, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology made for a substantial improvement over the old model. The redesigned interior was a significant upgrade, offering a blend of style and functionality.

The 2022 Honda Passport's new styling closely resembled the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, sharing a platform with the Odyssey minivan and Pilot three-row SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter Pilot without a third-row seat, featuring a new nose design for a tougher look. Available in three trims—EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite—the Passport offered new wheel designs and a focus on off-road appeal with the TrailSport trim. The TrailSport aimed to attract off-road enthusiasts with standard AWD, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes for various conditions.

Our test vehicle, a TrailSport with extra-cost Sonic Gray Pearl paint, had an MSRP of $44,095. The TrailSport featured unique 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, simulated skid plates, and other design modifications to enhance its SUV appearance. Inside, the Passport boasted one of the largest interiors in the two-row midsize SUV segment, with quality materials and careful assembly. The TrailSport trim added orange contrast stitching, amber ambient lighting, and rubber all-season floor mats, making it both stylish and practical.

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, 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 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 excelled in off-road conditions and delivered a smooth ride and capable handling on the highway.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), with the EPA rating the Passport at 22 mpg combined for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. Our TrailSport test vehicle averaged 21.3 mpg over various driving conditions. The TrailSport and Elite trims included Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) AWD system, which could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when necessary.

The Passport's V6 engine was smooth and felt stronger than its power ratings suggested, partnering well with the nine-speed automatic. The i-VTM4 system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing the Passport's performance on twisty roads and off-road trails. The Passport offered firm, communicative ride and athletic handling, with good steering feel and excellent outward visibility. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate on mountain descents, which was concerning given the Passport's 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with 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 plenty of legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades for added convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for a great view.

Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 17.2 cubic feet, with a useful storage bin underneath the load floor. Folding the third-row seat down increased cargo capacity to 46.9 cubic feet, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 84.6 cubic feet. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants but offered a storage console for second-row passengers.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large, comfortable seats with inboard adjustable armrests and good thigh support. Leather upholstery and heated front seats were standard, with the Elite trim adding ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The triple-zone automatic climate control system provided comfort for all passengers, with separate controls for rear passengers in the Elite trim. The rear seats offered plenty of room and a slightly elevated seating position, with large side windows for an open and airy feel.

The Passport had ample storage, including a massive center console storage bin, shelving in the front door panels, and cupholders in the rear door panels. Cargo space was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet of volume behind the rear seat and a maximum of 77.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The Passport's simple utility and comfort made it easy to live with and practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the latest 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, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also included a natural voice-recognition system and an optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system.

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 Grand Cherokee L's head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The system had shortcut buttons for easy navigation, but the lack of a stereo tuning knob was a minor inconvenience.

During our road trip, we preferred using Apple CarPlay over the Passport's clunky navigation system. The Passport also included wireless smartphone charging as standard equipment. While not technologically advanced, the Passport's infotainment system met modern standards and was easy to use.

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, and lane changes were overly responsive. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. Additional driver aids included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.

Crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Grand Cherokee L at the time of the review, but it was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's aged structure and engineering.

The 2022 Honda Passport included the Honda Sensing collection of driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Passport also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and a seatbelt reminder system.

However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions were intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control was not smooth in heavy traffic. The blind-spot monitoring warning light was poorly placed, making it less effective. In crash tests, the Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.