2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its timeless design, continued to impress more than a decade after its debut. It balanced rugged utility and upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels pushed to the corners under flared fenders. This design contributed significantly to its ongoing success, making it a versatile SUV that could be categorized as mainstream, luxury, or performance-oriented. The lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, and the performance-focused SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, in particular, stood out with its premium look, thanks to the Platinum Series Group, which included body-color mirror caps, door handles, and a platinum chrome finish.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee Summit's interior was adorned with premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede. The Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme provided a sharp contrast, while quilted seat bolsters, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, and partially digital instrumentation added to the luxury feel. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with old-school switchgear and non-flush panel fits indicating a need for a redesign.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, presented a sportier and more svelte design compared to its competitors. It featured a lower and wider stance, with a highback tail and a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the corners, giving the car a wide-hipped look similar to a Porsche 911. The headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sporty aesthetic. The EV6's design was filled with unique touches, such as recessed lights below the rear spoiler and a chrome trim below the taillights.

Inside, the EV6 boasted a curved section of dual 12-inch screens on a linear dash, a floating center console, and black and white seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting flowed around the dash and rear passengers, creating a futuristic feel. The hockey-puck shifter and digital controls further distinguished the EV6 from basic Kia models. The overall aesthetic prioritized the car's design, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine powered the rear or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and could tow up to 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, Jeep offered an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with a Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, delivering 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. This V8 engine provided a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds and a satisfying rumble. However, its fuel economy was limited to 17 mpg in combined driving, though we achieved 18.2 mpg on a mountainous loop.

The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II system included a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management with various settings. The Quadra-Lift air suspension offered 4.1 inches of variability, enhancing both on-road efficiency and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee Summit excelled in off-road conditions, providing confidence and tools for adventure. During daily driving, it was speedy and responsive, though the V8 consumed more fuel in the city. The air suspension could feel bouncy on uneven surfaces, but the tight turning radius and effective brakes were advantageous in various driving situations.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD model, featured two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, this 4,600-pound car accelerated to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and handled corners with agility. The upcoming GT trim promised even more power with 576 horsepower and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller battery and less power, making it less desirable. The single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered a more acceptable balance with 225 horsepower.

The dual-motor GT-Line provided impressive acceleration and torque distribution, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. The regenerative braking system offered multiple settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in the maximum I-Pedal setting. The EV6's drive modes were easily adjustable, enhancing the driving experience. However, the driving range was disappointing in cold weather, with the EV6 delivering only 65 percent of its EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 accepting up to 240 kW but often limited by available charging infrastructure.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with flat, firm, and supportive seats. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added quilted and perforated leather, leather-wrapped panels, and a heated steering wheel. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but had somewhat snug legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia, but large side windows and a panoramic sunroof helped alleviate this.

Interior storage was adequate, though the rear-seat entertainment system took up space in the center console bin. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with additional storage bins around the spare tire. Folding the second-row seats was easy, increasing cargo space to 68.3 cubic feet, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with features like pop-out door handles, paddle shifters, and a twisting rotary shifter. The climate controls and stereo shortcuts were combined in a thin touchscreen, which could be frustrating to use while driving. The EV6 offered generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited, with 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The high load floor and low roof height further reduced cargo capacity. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 2,300 pounds and an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, which offered a nearly flawless user experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa. SiriusXM provided satellite radio, Traffic Plus, and Travel Link services, while SiriusXM Guardian offered remote access to the vehicle. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple and quick, with connectivity options except for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument panel displayed vehicles in surrounding lanes and live feeds of blind spots. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp, and the head-up display used augmented reality for directional arrows. The EV6 came standard with many tech features, including Highway Driving Assist, blind-spot monitoring, fast-charging, dual 12-inch screens, and a wireless charger. Higher trims included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While it received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 4WD models, it performed poorly in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, earning "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee's headlights also rated "Poor" unless upgraded. However, the Summit trim included numerous safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The ParkSense parking assistance system and backup camera with guidance lines were also included.

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 features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise control with "machine learning."