2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have described as frog-like. Kia, however, marketed the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length of 11.4 inches compared to the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodated a third row of seats. The wheelbase stretched five inches for more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The extra mass blended seamlessly into the body, making the L look more elegant and recognizable as a Jeep from any angle. The seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end were all classic Jeep, though the lighting was modernized. 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 Sportage was available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All Sportages had a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportages with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined. AWD models saw a slight dip in these numbers. The Sportage’s McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left something to be desired.

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 either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight. The V8, available only on higher trims, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the V6 was 18 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with ride composure and steering feel that were incredibly taut and direct. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for the driver and passengers. The SX Turbo trim models provided a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited to 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and sharp interface. Physical switches for climate and stereo functions were easy to use, and the central rotary shifter was intuitive. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, 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. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard equipment. Most trims also benefited from Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trims added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical buttons.

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, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other driver aids came standard. The Summit Reserve trim featured a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was strong in safety, with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trims also featured adaptive cruise control and earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS.

The 2022 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, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.