2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a fresh addition to the Jeep lineup, distinct from the existing Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo space. Despite the potential confusion of its model year designation, the Grand Cherokee L was expected to sell well, largely due to its appealing design. It bore a resemblance to the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, offering a smaller, yet equally stylish alternative. The SUV's design was unmistakably Jeep, with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. Available in various trims, from Laredo to Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee L's pricing ranged from $36,995 to $64,235, with a destination charge of $1,695. The Summit trim, in particular, boasted luxurious features like quilted leather and real wood trim, though some interior materials fell short of expectations for its price.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while not a complete redesign, received a significant makeover that enhanced its sophistication. The updated model was 1.6 inches longer than its predecessor, with revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty character lines. The interior saw improvements with a more horizontal layout, ambient lighting, and increased convenience features like a rear USB port. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims added a sporty flair, with unique styling elements and performance-oriented features. The Kona N Line, in particular, offered exclusive black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals, while the Kona N took sportiness to another level with wide fenders, a front lip spoiler, and N sport bucket seats. The refreshed Kona's proportions and design updates gave it a more streamlined look, and the Blue Wave exterior color of the test vehicle was particularly striking.

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 or a choice of three 4WD systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with certain trims and 4WD, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The test vehicle featured the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration but with noticeable engine noise. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally well-behaved, though it sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension offered a smooth ride, with various off-road modes enhancing its capability. The SUV's handling was competent, aided by variable-ratio steering and large wheels, while its stiffer structure contributed to a smooth highway ride.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT in the SE and SEL trims. The N Line and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed DCT. The new Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N Line test vehicle, with its 1.6-liter turbo engine and AWD, offered ample power and enjoyable driving dynamics. The DCT provided smooth shifts, though minor turbo lag and clunkiness in lower gears were noted. The Kona's light curb weight and low center of gravity contributed to its agile handling, with a composed ride and quiet cabin enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L prioritized comfort, especially in the Summit trim, with features like heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were small, making it challenging to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs offered ample legroom and comfort, with manual sunshades for added convenience. The third row was surprisingly comfortable for adults, with large windows providing a good view. While storage space for front-seat occupants was limited, the second-row passengers benefited from a storage console. Cargo space behind the third row measured 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, provided a comfortable experience for front-seat occupants, with ample headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat passengers faced challenges, with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. Hyundai claimed increased rear-seat legroom for 2022, but it was difficult to discern. Cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona, limiting its utility for larger cargo needs.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services. The test vehicle's 10.1-inch screen integrated well with the dashboard, though some user-experience quirks were noted. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system delivered impressive sound quality, particularly for bass enthusiasts. Additional tech features included a digital instrumentation panel, digital rearview mirror, night vision system, and Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display in the base SE trim, offering Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system. The SEL trim added SiriusXM, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. The Limited and Kona N trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and traffic information, and an optional Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona also offered a Digital Key, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless device charging. Hyundai Blue Link provided connected services, including remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. While effective, the steering assist felt artificial, and lane changes were more abrupt than expected. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including park assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review, but improvements over the previous model were anticipated.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the Kona five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave it "Good" ratings in all crashworthiness tests. The Kona's forward collision-avoidance system received a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle protection and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian protection. However, the child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing the Kona from achieving Top Safety Pick status.