2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had a distinctive presence that made a significant impact in the SUV market. Unlike its five-passenger counterpart, the Grand Cherokee L was an extended-length version that introduced a third row, providing seating for up to seven people. This move was strategic, leveraging Jeep’s design evolution to make the Grand Cherokee L instantly identifiable. The SUV's aesthetics were inspired by the all-new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, giving it a full-size SUV vibe but in a more accessible package.

Featuring Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and recognizable lighting arrangements, the Grand Cherokee L excelled in terms of visual appeal. It offered six trim levels: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with pricing ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The Summit trim, which came loaded with luxury features, was particularly eye-catching. It included quilted and perforated leather seats, real wood trim, and advanced technology, although some interior materials didn’t fully justify the high price tag.

In comparison, the 2022 Lexus RX was offered in various configurations: RX 350, F Sport, and L trims for gas engines, and the RX 450h for hybrids. The design continued from its 2020 facelift, featuring a modern and sporty look that stood out among competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE. Razor sharp character lines and angular features gave the RX an aggressive yet restrained appearance. The F Sport trim added sportier elements including 20-inch wheels, black-housing side mirrors, and distinctive front fascia design, making it the most athletic-looking version.

Inside, the RX maintained its luxury appeal across trims, with the F Sport bringing a sporty vibe with Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather seats in black or dark red. There were nearly a dozen color combinations for other trims, offering flexibility in customization. The RX's interior had plenty of soft-touch surfaces and a high-quality feel, though the center stack felt a bit outdated due to its button-heavy design.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s performance was spearheaded by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) and several four-wheel drive (4WD) options, featuring a fuel-saving front-axle disconnect technology. This configuration had a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds and an EPA estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving.

For more power, an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine was available, producing 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, exclusively paired with 4WD. This upgrade upped the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reduced fuel efficiency to 17 mpg combined. While the V6 offered decent acceleration, it was loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode, likely to improve fuel economy. The Quadra-Drive II 4WD system with an electronic locking differential and low-range transfer case added off-road prowess, and the Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450h hybrid combined the V6 with two high-torque electric motors for a total of 308 horsepower. Both versions used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the RX 350 offering front-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the RX 450h was AWD only.

Despite the F Sport designation, the RX didn’t deliver a sporty driving experience. Its engine note was more reminiscent of a turbocharged four-cylinder, lacking a growl. Acceleration was sluggish, and the F Sport Handling package with adaptive variable suspension and Sport+ drive mode didn’t significantly improve performance. Drive modes like Eco and Normal showed some difference in behavior, but Sport and Sport+ felt aspirational rather than functional. What did stand out, however, was the RX's ride comfort and quiet cabin, making it well-suited for long drives.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L excelled in comfort and space utilization. With the Summit trim, passengers enjoyed heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with twelve-way power adjustment, along with a heated steering wheel. The four-zone automatic climate control included air vents in all three rows, although the dashboard vents were relatively small, making it harder to cool the cabin quickly in hot weather.

Captain’s chairs were standard in the second row, but a bench seat was available for added versatility. The third row was impressively spacious, suitable even for taller passengers, thanks to large side windows providing a good view. Cargo space was competitive, offering 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.6 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Lexus RX’s standard two-row version provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, fitting four adults comfortably, though a fifth might feel cramped. Headroom was 39.4 inches in the front and 39.1 inches in the rear, with ample front legroom at 44.1 inches. The three-row RX 350L was tight on space, offering only 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row, 23.03 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 58.48 cubic feet with both rows down. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high cargo load-in height was less convenient.

In terms of practicality, the RX included thoughtful features like a dedicated smartphone slot, an adjustable-height cup holder, and a cargo net, but the cargo capacity didn’t match up to the Grand Cherokee L’s.

Jeep's Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, touted to be five times faster than the previous version. It had two touchscreen sizes: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. Our test vehicle's 10.1-inch screen worked well, although there were some quirks. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. The McIntosh 19-speaker audio system sounded great but its logo felt out of place.

The Grand Cherokee L also included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring. The head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses—a thoughtful touch.

Conversely, the Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to 12.3 inches. Despite moving the screens closer to the driver in a 2020 update, their placement remained ergonomically challenging. The bottom icons were difficult to reach, and the hypersensitive touchpad was frustrating to use. The RX did include voice commands, six USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio options, and Lexus App connectivity features.