2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new addition to the Jeep lineup, distinct from the existing five-passenger Grand Cherokee. This model was an extended-length version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo volume. Despite the potential confusion of its naming, the Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point, resembling a smaller version of the luxurious Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. 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 price ranged from $36,995 to $64,235, with a destination charge of $1,695. The Summit trim test vehicle, equipped with numerous luxury features, had a sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials didn't quite match the high price, the overall design, including quilted leather and real wood trim, represented a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and expanded cargo space. The Tucson's front end featured Hyundai's new design language, with a parametric grille that integrated LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The side profile borrowed design cues from the Hyundai Elantra, including a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. The rear of the Tucson had distinctive LED taillights, except for the base model. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, with higher trims featuring premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, and available sport combination and leather-trimmed seats. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered design gave the cabin a spacious feel.

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 three different four-wheel-drive systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with certain trims and 4WD, generated 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration but loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally well-behaved, though it sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg during testing, below expectations. The SUV featured 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. The Grand Cherokee L's stiffer structure contributed to a smooth ride and capable handling, with easy-to-judge corners and a surround-view camera system aiding in parking. The SUV was also comfortable on the highway, with secure on-center steering feel and a relatively quiet cabin.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, targeting 28 mpg combined. The hybrid powertrain, with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, making the Tucson Hybrid more powerful and fun to drive. The hybrid powertrain outperformed competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. AWD was standard on the Tucson Hybrid and available on ICE models, performing well in off-road testing. The ICE-powered Tucson achieved an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while the AWD version had slightly lower figures. The Tucson Hybrid was more fuel-efficient, with 37 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. The forthcoming Tucson PHEV, with a 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery, was expected to offer around 25 miles of all-electric range and a total system output of 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque.

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 had 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 rear rows down.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson's interior was well-appointed, with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat standard and an eight-way version available on higher trims. Drivers also enjoyed lumbar support, three-stage heated front seats, ventilated front seats, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel was leather-wrapped in higher trims and heated on the Limited trim. The new Tucson platform provided more passenger and cargo space, with rear seats offering two inches more legroom than the RAV4. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area was comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V, and significantly larger than the Escape. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models, with a hands-free liftgate available on mid-grade models and up.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens. The test vehicle had the larger screen, which offered 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 with a programmable wake phrase. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided excellent sound quality, though the logo didn't match the interior's vibe. Additional features 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 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. The SEL/Blue trim added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, but required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was embedded within a black plastic head unit that included climate control and radio/media functionality, with touchpoints that were difficult to use while driving. The steering wheel controls were narrow and less user-friendly than bulkier buttons.

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. The system worked well, though 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, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's flaws.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. The Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite included standard features like forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai's comprehensive warranty included a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, a 7-year anti-perforation warranty, and 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.