2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX received Lexus’ signature spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce any new styling changes, but it did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim level, with 19-inch wheels also available. Despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille, the GX’s styling remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look.

However, the interior of the GX did not meet the standards of a modern luxury SUV. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic throughout the cabin. While standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim, the overall interior quality felt dated. The GX’s interior design and materials lagged behind its competitors, making it less appealing to those seeking a contemporary luxury experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, on the other hand, was an elegant and recognizable Jeep from any angle. The L model was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodating a third row of seats. The wheelbase was also extended by five inches, providing more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The extra length and mass blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated in comparison. The Grand Cherokee L featured Jeep’s signature seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end, 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 the overall design.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was a step above, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The layout and materials exuded luxury, comparable to a Mercedes. Even in all-black, the interior offered enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated. The lighter tan leather option added a touch of elegance, though it required extra care to maintain. The Grand Cherokee L’s interior was spacious and well-appointed, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV market.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. On the road, the GX 460 felt like a throwback to an earlier generation of SUVs. The V8 engine provided ample power for initial acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the GX’s 5,130-pound weight became apparent at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Braking also required more forethought, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of modern unibody SUVs.

Despite its on-road shortcomings, the GX 460 excelled in off-road capability. It featured a Torsen center differential that could split torque 40/60 front to rear or lock for a 50/50 split. The standard 4WD system included a low range for off-road trails, and driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles, the GX was a formidable off-road vehicle. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, with trailer-sway control included.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: 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). A 48-volt hybrid system was available on Ram pickup trucks but not on the Grand Cherokee. However, the 4xe plug-in hybrid, which paired 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 V6 engine, with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, felt underpowered for the Grand Cherokee L’s weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was noticeable under acceleration, and the transmission’s early upshifts didn’t help. The V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was a better option, providing more power and a satisfying exhaust note. Fuel economy for the V6 was decent at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 14/22/17. Estimates for the 4xe plug-in hybrid were not yet available.

The Grand Cherokee L’s chassis was a standout feature, offering excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided a range of ride height settings, from a lower Access height for easy entry and exit to a maximum of 10.9 inches of ground clearance in Off-road 2 mode. The driving modes adjusted various systems for different terrains, similar to Land Rover’s approach. The Grand Cherokee L had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, made it feel like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with a small center-console bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. Second-row occupants had climate controls, but the third row was cramped and difficult to access.

The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, with the option to swap the second-row bench for captain’s chairs. The power-folding third row was available on the Premium trim with the Premium Plus Package and standard on the Luxury trim. However, the third row was best suited for children, and accessing it was challenging. The GX had more first-row legroom on paper than the Land Rover Discovery, but it wasn’t generous. The Discovery also had more second-row legroom and nearly the same headroom. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, compared to the Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The interface was sleeker and sharper, with physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions. The central rotary shifter was easy to learn, and there was ample storage, including a wireless phone charging bin and a large central cubby. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The Grand Cherokee L offered plenty of 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 cabin experience. However, the air vents were small and didn’t direct enough airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The infotainment system had dated graphics and limited functionality, with a separate display for time and temperature using a seven-segment format. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a wealth of technology, especially in the upper trims. Features included 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, and Uconnect supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to connect two phones simultaneously. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen 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. Higher trims added automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

The 2021 Lexus GX had not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

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. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, enhancing its appeal as a family vehicle.