2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its timeless design, continued to impress even a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic appearance. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it managed to embody the essence of a mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV all at once. The lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk, and the off-road-ready Trailhawk. The Summit trim, in particular, offered a premium look with its Platinum Series Group, featuring body-color accents and a platinum chrome finish. Inside, the Summit's cabin was luxurious, with premium leather, genuine wood, and a striking Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW X3 presented a refreshed exterior design with a slightly more aggressive stance. The larger kidney grille and adaptive full LED headlights gave it a modern look, while the redesigned taillights added a unique touch with their pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The X3 offered a range of variants, including the sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and M, with the latter two featuring more performance-oriented elements. The interior of the X3 was clean and efficient, with dark oak wood trim, adjustable sport seats, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery was standard, with the option to upgrade to Vernasca leather. The X3's cabin was well-appointed, offering a comfortable and practical space for passengers and cargo. The redesigned center console and larger infotainment system improved accessibility and usability, making the X3 a well-rounded choice for those seeking a blend of style and functionality.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds, making it a capable choice for those needing power and utility. For those seeking more performance, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine provided 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology aimed to improve fuel efficiency, though it achieved only 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, offering various terrain settings and adjustable ground clearance. Despite its off-road prowess, the Grand Cherokee remained responsive and relatively quiet during daily driving, though it could feel bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission across all models, with the sDrive30i and xDrive30i powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The X3 achieved a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds, with fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for the sDrive30i. The xDrive30i offered slightly lower mileage due to its AWD system. The X3 M40i variant boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, generating 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds, providing a more exhilarating driving experience. The M40i's adaptive suspension and sport brakes enhanced its performance, while the mild-hybrid system offered additional power during acceleration. However, the system did not improve fuel economy, with the M40i rated at 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, providing eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Uconnect infotainment system integrated seat and steering wheel controls, though physical buttons would have been less distracting. The rear seat was comfortable but lacked legroom for taller adults, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet when the seats were folded. Interior storage was adequate, though the rear-seat entertainment system's DVD/Blu-Ray player occupied much of the center console bin.

The 2022 BMW X3 offered a spacious and practical interior, accommodating five passengers comfortably. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, providing ample cargo space for luggage and equipment. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the option to upgrade to Vernasca leather for added softness. The X3's sport seats offered good support, though the thigh-support cushion's control handle could be intrusive for some drivers. The redesigned center console improved ergonomics, with a larger infotainment system and accessible controls for climate and audio functions. The X3's cargo area was generous, with a power tailgate and optional hands-free opening for added convenience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, allowing control of various features through voice commands. The Grand Cherokee's Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential tech features, it lacked the advanced digital capabilities of newer models.

The 2022 BMW X3 came equipped with BMW Live Cockpit Plus and iDrive 7 telematics, featuring a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel. The system included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa integration, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and various connected digital features. The optional Live Cockpit Professional upgraded both screens to 12.3 inches, offering a fully digital experience. The X3's infotainment system was customizable, with multiple ways to control in-car functions, including steering wheel-mounted controls, voice activation, and the iDrive controller. The standard 12-speaker HiFi sound system could be upgraded to a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system on M40i models.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, though 2WD models received four stars due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Grand Cherokee's performance in IIHS testing was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered parking assistance technologies, though they were best used in low-traffic environments.

The 2022 BMW X3 earned a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with IIHS results pending. The X3 included a range of standard safety features, such as adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and active blind-spot monitoring. The available Parking Assistance Package added features like a 360-degree surround camera view and active park distance control. The Driving Assistant Professional Package offered additional safety technologies, including traffic jam assistance, front cross-traffic alert, and active lane-keep assist.