2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 styling. It bore a resemblance to the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, presenting 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, ensuring it looked impressive across all trim levels.

Jeep offered the Grand Cherokee L in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235, plus a $1,695 destination charge. The Summit trim test vehicle was equipped with four-wheel drive, metallic paint, and several premium packages, bringing the total to $64,770. While some interior materials didn't quite match the high price point, the Summit's quilted leather and real wood trim were attractive, and the vehicle was packed with technology. Overall, the redesigned interior marked a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, on the other hand, had a distinctive design that was not universally praised. Its tiger-nose grille, while successful on other Kia models, seemed out of place on the Sportage, resembling a Halloween costume mustache. Despite this, Kia nailed other design elements, such as the four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and the Volkswagen-like symmetry of the rear. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels added to its well-proportioned and stable appearance. Inside, the Sportage featured a Germanic design with a black dashboard, metallic accents, and straightforward instrumentation, creating a high-contrast and upscale look.

The Sportage's interior was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy control of the stereo, climate, and infotainment system. Every Sportage model exuded an upscale feel, and the transmission shifter's smooth operation added to the sense of quality. While the Sportage's design might not have been to everyone's taste, its interior and driving experience were generally well-received.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft 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 becoming loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic was generally well-behaved, though it sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy, which averaged 17.8 mpg during testing.

The Grand Cherokee L offered various driving modes, including Sport and Selec-Terrain off-road modes, with the Summit's Quadra-Drive II 4WD system featuring an electronic locking differential and a low-range transfer case. The Quadra-Lift suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. The SUV's stiffer structure contributed to a smooth ride and solid feel, with capable handling and easy parking aided by a surround-view camera system. The Grand Cherokee L excelled on highways, offering secure steering and a relatively quiet cabin, except during acceleration or when using the air conditioning.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, providing a competitive but unremarkable powertrain. The SX Turbo variant featured a more robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, beneficial for those living at higher elevations. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with Kia's Dynamax AWD system available as an option. The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque arriving at a low 1,450 rpm, creating a sudden surge of power. In Sport mode, the SUV adopted a lively personality, eager to accelerate.

The Sportage's suspension, featuring a MacPherson strut front and independent multi-link rear, provided a smooth and compliant ride, similar to the larger Kia Telluride. The SX Turbo had upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels, contributing to its athletic feel. While the Sportage handled well in turns, the steering could have been quicker, and the tires offered limited grip. Despite some body roll and lateral rocking, the Sportage was fun to drive, though not as refined as competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with its Summit trim, featuring heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment and a heated steering wheel. It also had a four-zone automatic climate control system with air vents in all three rows. However, the dashboard vents were small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second row featured captain's chairs with ample legroom and comfort, while the third row was surprisingly comfortable for adults. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants but provided a storage console for second-row passengers. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite being on the smaller side of the compact crossover scale, offered a roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim provided perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel was standard. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. Interior storage was ample, but maximum cargo volume was limited to 60.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded and 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat. The Sportage featured Kia's smart liftgate technology, allowing hands-free access to the cargo area.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. It came with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, with the larger screen in the test vehicle. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The natural voice-recognition system worked well, though it occasionally provided unexpected results. The test vehicle also had a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, offering excellent sound quality. Additional features included a digital instrumentation panel, digital rearview mirror, night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system lacked technological sophistication, with a small screen, no WiFi hotspot, and wired smartphone mirroring. Despite these limitations, the system was simple and easy to use.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. While effective, the steering assist felt artificial, and lane changes were more sudden than expected. The system was set to become hands-free in 2022. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, detecting threats at intersections and applying brakes if necessary. Additional safety features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but improvements were expected over the previous model.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available on higher trims. The SX Turbo included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be irritating. The Sportage received favorable crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.