2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Kia Seltos

Despite its classification as a subcompact SUV, the 2021 Kia Seltos had a big-car feel. It featured an upright layout with a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling. While not designed for off-roading, the lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle. The test model showcased a two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers, hinting at its on-road driving dynamics. The interior boasted a straightforward design layout with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, influenced by upscale brands like Audi. The clean LCD screen for climate controls added visual symmetry with the touchscreen atop the dash, and the handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length to accommodate a third row of seats, was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. The wheelbase stretched five inches for more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The extra mass and bigger caboose blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee look truncated. The Grand Cherokee L was elegant and recognizable as a Jeep from any angle, featuring the seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end. The lighting was modernized to be slimmer and brighter, and the paint finish and panel fit were markedly better. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims finished the design with black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. For 2022, Jeep added new exterior paint colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for both city and highway driving. The Drive Mode dial offered Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout and 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos exhibited minimal body roll in turns and maintained a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. The 4xe plug-in hybrid, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, offered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with ride composure and steering feel that were incredibly taut and direct. The optional air suspension provided five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided a solid amount of cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs on the market. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos also offered plenty of cubbies and compartments for both front and rear passengers, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, a spacious center console, and a tray between the driver and front passenger. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, making it a comfortable option for passengers.

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, with a damped click for a premium feel. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced the comfort for long journeys. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base S trim, with a 3.5-inch TFT digital screen in the instrument panel. The SX Turbo trim included a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen in the instrument panel, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The large touchscreen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto while still showing additional information on the right third of the screen. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB would default the audio to the phone's output, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, with the other serving only as a power source.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including 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. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors were standard. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included a full suite of driver-assistance safety features, such as forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The SX also featured an alert system for safe vehicle exit when parallel parking.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (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. The Summit trims offered additional safety features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition.