2021 Lexus RX vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland. The RX was available in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, with the F Sport being the most performance-focused. The 2021 model retained the elongated headlights and redesigned front end introduced in 2020, which aimed to address previous criticisms. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights.

The interior of the RX was well-appointed, even in the base model, offering standard features such as carpeted floor mats, chrome door handles, and NuLuxe-trimmed seats. Higher trims and packages added semi-aniline leather upholstery, sport seats, and various heated and ventilated options. However, the center console design and infotainment system were seen as dated, with traditional buttons and a charcoal plastic look. Despite these drawbacks, the RX provided a comfortable and functional interior space.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, introduced as a longer version of the standard Grand Cherokee, featured an 11.4-inch longer body to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase was also extended by five inches, providing more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The design seamlessly integrated the extra length, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L retained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, with new exterior paint colors introduced for 2022.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L offered a luxurious experience with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The interior layout and tactile quality were compared to a Mercedes, providing a premium feel. Even in all-black, the interior offered enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable. The lighter tan leather option required extra care to maintain its pristine appearance. Overall, the Grand Cherokee L's interior was designed to provide a luxurious and comfortable experience for all passengers.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) RX 350 was the most fuel-efficient, achieving 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel drive (AWD) and RXL models had slightly lower fuel economy. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, producing 308 horsepower and achieving up to 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The RX's suspension and handling were improved for the 2020 model year, making it more dynamic. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX was a comfortable cruiser, with the F-Sport model offering a bit more excitement. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain. The RX Hybrid matched the 0-60 mph time but had a lower top speed of 112 mph.

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 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it struggled to move the heavy vehicle, 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 V6 achieved an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8's fuel economy was lower at 14/22/17. The 4xe plug-in hybrid's estimates were not yet available. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was praised for its ride composure and steering feel, with the optional air suspension providing adjustable ride heights and varying levels of comfort. The vehicle's driving modes, similar to Land Rover's, allowed for easy terrain adjustments. The Grand Cherokee L's towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a highly functional SUV, seating five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h models, and six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid. Front-seat occupants enjoyed ample space, while the second row was comfortable for adults. The third row in the RXL models was tight for any age group. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row RXL offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and sharp interface. Physical switches for climate, seat controls, and stereo functions were easy to use, with a damped click for a premium feel. The Laredo and Altitude trims had 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 multiple USB ports enhanced the passenger experience, though the air vents were criticized for insufficient airflow.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Available upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The infotainment system's touchpad controller was functional but took up valuable center console space and was not as refined as competitors' systems. The RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, 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 upcoming turns. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, 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. Additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitor were available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid, with their longer bodies, were not tested by IIHS. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX had two complete sets of LATCH connectors in the rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by 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. Additional safety features were available on higher trims.