2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 was a smooth and stylish vehicle that stood out in a market filled with deeply-creased hoods and chiseled grilles. Its design was sleek and slippery, even when stationary, offering a refreshing take on Mazda's familiar aesthetic. The base CX-5 Sport featured automatic LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing wipers. Higher trims like the Touring added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, and auto-leveling LED headlights, enhancing both style and functionality.

The top-tier CX-5 Signature model elevated the vehicle to a premium level, rivaling luxury brands with Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, and ambient lighting. The interior materials were of high quality, providing a comfortable and upscale feel. The CX-5 Carbon Edition offered unique features like red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trim, adding a touch of exclusivity. Overall, the CX-5's design and interior quality were well-executed, making it a standout in the compact crossover segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length and third-row seating, offered a blend of elegance and ruggedness. The L model was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, providing more legroom and wider rear doors. The design seamlessly integrated the extra mass, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L featured Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end, with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The tactile quality and layout were reminiscent of a Mercedes, offering a premium feel. The spacious cabin accommodated adults comfortably in all three rows, with second-row captain's chairs and a panoramic roof enhancing the experience. However, the air vents were small and struggled to direct sufficient airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. The base engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The turbocharged engine, standard on higher trims like the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature, provided robust performance and engaging driving dynamics, especially in Sport mode.

Fuel efficiency for the CX-5 varied depending on the drivetrain and engine choice. The most fuel-efficient model, with FWD and the non-turbo engine, achieved 25 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. AWD models with the turbo engine were slightly less efficient, with 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. Despite its sporty drive style, the CX-5's stiff suspension and less-than-ideal seat bolstering were noticeable drawbacks, particularly on winding roads.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 engine, while adequate, struggled to provide sufficient power for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available on higher trims, offered a more satisfying performance and a fabulous sound.

Fuel economy for the Grand Cherokee L with the V6 was decent, at an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The V8 was less efficient, with 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. The chassis of the Grand Cherokee L was stellar, with ride composure and steering feel that were incredibly taut and direct for a vehicle of its size. The optional air suspension provided a range of ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5's design allowed it to fulfill most family needs with comfort and style. The seating position and comfort level were typical for its size, with good headroom in both rows but limited legroom for rear passengers. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connector on the middle rear seat, though they were not the easiest to use. The climate controls were straightforward and easy to use, but the larger shifter and infotainment system controls took up passenger space and were not ideally positioned for shorter drivers.

Cargo space in the CX-5 was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 offered significantly more cargo space. A power liftgate was available, adding convenience.

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 central rotary shifter was intuitive, and there was ample storage space, including a wireless phone charging bin and a large central cubby. 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 plenty of space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs and a 60/40 split bench seat option. The panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced the experience, though the small air vents struggled to direct sufficient airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was not user-friendly, with a cluttered interface and difficult-to-reach controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a workaround for the infotainment system's shortcomings.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of high-end technology features, especially on upper trims. These 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, 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.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition. The CX-5 earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

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, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. Optional features on higher trims included automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition.