2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Kia EV6

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 redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and more cargo volume. Despite the potential confusion of its model year designation, the Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point, especially with the arrival of the all-new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. The Grand Cherokee L was instantly recognizable as a Jeep, with 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 premium packages, had a window sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials and fittings didn't quite meet the high price point's scrutiny, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology were impressive. Overall, the redesigned interior was a significant improvement over the old model.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, was a sportier and more svelte electric vehicle, visually lower and wider than its competitors. Its design featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler doubling as a lightbar, wheels stretched to the chassis's corners, and voluptuous curves reminiscent of a Porsche 911. The EV6's headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and its wedgy profile was blade-sharp with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and black and white seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting flowed around the dash, and the hockey-puck shifter and digital controls added to the futuristic feel. The EV6's design was car-first, computer-second, making it enjoyable to drive.

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 loop.

The Jeep offered a Sport driving mode, but it held revs too high for too long, adding little to the driving experience. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided better-controlled ride motions, and additional Selec-Terrain off-road modes included Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock. The Summit's Quadra-Drive II 4WD system included an electronic locking differential and a low-range transfer case setting. The Quadra-Lift suspension supplied 8.3 inches of ground clearance in Normal mode, with two Off-Road settings raising it to 10.9 inches. The Grand Cherokee L could tackle challenging terrain, with the Overland model equipped with the Off-Road Group being the most capable.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD, with two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, zipped to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The 77-kilowatt-hour battery mounted low in the chassis provided stability, and the car cornered like a getaway vehicle. The top-power GT trim, arriving in fall 2022, promised 576 hp and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller battery (58 kWh) and a single motor (167 hp and 258 lb-ft), which we didn't recommend. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models paired the larger battery with a higher-output single motor (225 hp, same torque).

The dual-motor GT-Line offered impressive acceleration, with torque routed quickly and effectively. The EV6's regenerative braking had more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. The car's adaptive cruise control and drive modes were easy to adjust, and the EV6's performance was thrilling. However, our weeklong test in below-freezing temperatures revealed disappointing driving range, with the EV6 delivering only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by the charging network's output.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Summit trim offered 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. The third-row seat was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows ensuring a great view.

The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants, but second-row passengers enjoyed a storage console. 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 provided 46.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 84.6 cubic feet.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions, such as door handles that popped out when you approached with the key, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shared a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating when driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions, with rear seats that reclined and had air vents with optional heated cushions. However, the cargo hold was limited, with just 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 when folded. The front trunk offered a few more cubic feet on RWD models, but the AWD models had an electric motor taking up space.

The EV6's towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator that could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the 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, which had a few user-experience quirks but was easy to acclimate to. Highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system sounded terrific, especially for bass enthusiasts. The Grand Cherokee L also offered 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 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple, quick, and full of connectivity, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel showed vehicles in surrounding lanes and a 3D bar graph of the car's power and speed. The EV6 featured live feeds of blind spots when changing lanes, a 360-degree surround-view camera, customizable "engine" sounds, and an augmented reality head-up display. The tech package included Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, dual 12-inch screens, a wireless charger, and navigation. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system.

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. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. Additional safety features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's flaws.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies, but it came equipped with impressive safety tech. The base Light trim included lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added front parking sensors, automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise with "machine learning."