2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was introduced as an extended-length version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, offering third-row seating and increased cargo volume. Its design echoed the more luxurious Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, making it recognizable as a Jeep with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. Available in multiple trim levels, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, its price ranged from $36,995 to $64,235, with an additional $1,695 destination charge. The test vehicle featured Summit trim, four-wheel drive, metallic paint, advanced tech, and a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, totaling $64,770. While the interior materials at this premium price point faced scrutiny, the Summit's leather and wood trim, along with the high-tech features, enhanced the overall interior appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked its debut as the first vehicle under Hyundai's new Ioniq EV brand. Its design took a different approach, relying less on bold character lines and more on the innovative Parametric Pixel design, which gave it a futuristic concept car look. The pixels appeared in all lighting elements, including headlights and taillights, creating a digital aesthetic reminiscent of older Millennial nostalgia. Aerodynamic wheels and decorative elements around the car added to its cutting-edge design. Inside, the Ioniq 5 carried a "Living Space" theme, with a minimalist and calming interior available in hues like black, gray, and dark green. It also featured sustainable materials, from recycled fibers in door inserts to bio-materials in the dashboard, making it a comfortable and environmentally friendly choice.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive options. The V6 offered a respectable tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. An optional 5.7-liter V8, available only with 4WD, increased power to 357 hp and boosted torque to 390 lb-ft, allowing for a towing capacity of 7,200 pounds while dropping the combined fuel economy to 17 mpg. The V6 engine in the test vehicle provided adequate acceleration, though it was louder at higher revs. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension and variable-ratio steering ensured a smooth ride and capable handling, especially with its 10.9 inches of ground clearance in Off-Road mode.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a more varied lineup with three trims (SE, SEL, Limited) and three powertrain options. The base SE Standard Range had a single 128-kW rear-mounted motor with 168 hp and 220 miles of range, whereas the extended-range variants had a larger 168-kW motor generating 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque with a 303-mile range. The AWD versions featured a dual-motor setup with a combined output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range dropped to 256 miles. The test vehicle, a Limited AWD, managed elevation changes and highway stretches in San Diego County with aplomb and offered a spirited drive in Sport mode, achieving a 0-60 mph time of under 5 seconds. However, Sport mode quickly drained the range, making it more suited for short bursts of fun rather than everyday driving. The Ioniq 5's single-speed transmission and adjustable regenerative braking through paddle shifters added to its driving dynamics, while the focus on reducing noise, vibration, and harshness ensured a quiet cabin.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, especially in Summit trim, prioritized comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats that could be adjusted 12 ways, along with a four-zone climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, leading to prolonged cooling times. The second-row captain's chairs offered ample legroom and comfort, benefiting from nearly full-coverage sunshades. The third-row seats were reasonably comfortable for all but the tallest adults. Storage space was limited for front-seat occupants but better for second and third-row passengers. Cargo capacity behind the third row stood at 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and reaching a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 utilized the new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), maximizing interior space with a longer wheelbase than even the Hyundai Palisade. It offered 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume, surpassing its competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. However, its rear cargo space of 27.2 cubic feet was smaller than those rivals, focusing more on passenger comfort with 106.5 cubic feet of passenger volume. The interior featured soft-touch materials and a moveable center console, providing flexible storage options. Seats were comfortable and supportive, combining modern and retro design elements for usability and convenience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L equipped with Uconnect 5 offered faster response and an improved user experience through either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The natural voice-recognition system was generally reliable, although it provided some amusing search results. The test vehicle also included an optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, which impressed with its sound quality but felt out of place in terms of interior design. Additional tech options included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, digital rearview mirror, night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system, all complemented by a usable head-up display for those with polarized sunglasses.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a technological marvel with its next-gen high-voltage system, offering ultra-fast charging and vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to power homes or other EVs. The Ioniq 5 supported 800-volt charging infrastructures, charging to 80% in just 18 minutes and gaining 68 miles of range in 5 minutes with a 350-kW charger. Hyundai partnered with Electrify America to provide free fast-charging sessions for two years. The multimedia setup included a redesigned Blue Link app for EV management, digital keys, enhanced smartphone pairing, AI-powered voice recognition, and over-the-air updates. The dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegantly designed with anti-glare coatings, ensuring clear visibility even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. While it offered some relief on long drives, it felt overly responsive and artificial. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected potential threats and could apply brakes if necessary. Along with other advanced driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, the Grand Cherokee L stood out in its safety offerings. Crash-test ratings were not yet available as of the review.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a comprehensive ADAS suite with standard features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance. The Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous system, used machine learning to adapt to the driver's habits, providing a personalized driving experience. A head-up display with augmented reality overlays was available, turning the windshield into an additional display screen, though it could be distracting. While safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were pending, Hyundai's track record with high safety marks instilled confidence in the Ioniq 5's future performance.