2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks with painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. Despite these variations, the core elements that made a Wrangler unmistakable remained intact. Inside, the Wrangler was not designed for comfort but rather for a rugged driving experience. The upright seating position, limited legroom, and somewhat awkward seat adjustments added to its charm for the right type of driver.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodating a third row of seats. The wheelbase stretched five inches for more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches, but with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing its elegant appearance. The interior featured dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, making it feel luxurious and well-crafted.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Wrangler's 4WD systems included Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with features like front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar for off-roading.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 struggled with the vehicle's weight, requiring high revs and producing noticeable engine noise. The V8, available only on higher trims, provided better performance and a satisfying sound. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, offering a smooth ride and precise handling. The optional air suspension provided five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee L's towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Sky one-touch power top, featured on the Rubicon 392, combined a hardtop appearance with a power-retractable canvas panel. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and sharp interface. Physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions were easy to use and well-designed. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced passenger comfort. However, the air vents were small and required the fan to be on high, which was loud.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's Sport trim came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims offered premium features such as multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler also featured a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.