2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

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 increased cargo volume. Despite the potential confusion of its 2021 designation, the Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point, resembling a smaller version of the luxurious Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. Jeep offered the Grand Cherokee L in various trims, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235, plus a $1,695 destination charge. The Summit trim test vehicle, equipped with numerous features, had a sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials didn't meet the high price expectations, the overall design, including quilted leather and real wood trim, represented a significant improvement over the old model.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, visually linking it to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro elements, the modern Defender featured rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights for a unique look. The interior was spacious and ergonomic, with a comfortable driving position and generous headroom and legroom. The design emphasized ruggedness, with bare metal and exposed screws in the door, complemented by leather and suede upholstery. The Defender's interior was practical and stylish, making it suitable for both off-road adventures and daily driving.

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 four-wheel-drive (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 certain trims and 4WD, generated 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 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 to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg in testing, below expectations. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension offered various driving modes, including Sport, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, with up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. The Grand Cherokee L excelled in off-road conditions and provided a smooth ride on highways, with secure on-center steering feel and a relatively quiet cabin.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, and a new-for-2022 V8 engine producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 engine could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. V8 models featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. The Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimal noise from the 22-inch tires. It was less susceptible to crosswinds than a Jeep Wrangler and provided a smooth ride for daily driving. Off-road, the Defender excelled with its 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance with the optional air suspension. The optional Terrain Response 2 system and All-Terrain Progress Control further enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Defender also had an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, 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. The third-row seats were comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for 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 the second row folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 offered two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the shifter and climate-control knobs, a spacious center-console storage bin, and optional refrigeration. The Defender also offered optional basket-style roof racks and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with faster response and an improved user experience. It offered 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch touchscreens, with the larger screen in the test vehicle. Highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also had 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 fit the interior's vibe. Other available features included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, digital rearview mirror, thermal-imaging night vision system, and Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, with an 11.4-inch touchscreen newly available for 2022. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate menus and a distinctive look. However, the screen required a strong touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was particularly useful for off-roading.

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 effective, the steering assist felt artificial, and lane changes were overly responsive. For 2022, Active Driving Assist was set to become a hands-free system. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats from either side at intersections and apply brakes if necessary. Additional driver aids included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of the review, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's flaws.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came standard with lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. While some non-luxury SUVs offered these features as standard, it was common for luxury brands to make them optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was typical for luxury vehicles.