2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, redesigned in 2019, exhibited an exterior style that seemed older than its calendar year suggested. Subaru chose to retain much of the design from the previous generation, leading to a look that felt a bit dated, except for the new taillights featuring a distinctive cross shape. Subaru's decision to maintain its boxy, upright shape aimed to cater to SUV shoppers' preferences. The Forester's clean and unpretentious appearance was notable, especially at its Base trim level with 17-inch steel wheels (alloy options available).

The Forester Sport model we tested offered a visual boost with orange striping on the body and roof rails, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The test car’s Dark Blue Pearl paint nicely contrasted with the orange accents, enhancing its sporty look. Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with several other models like the Impreza and Outback. Despite Subaru's marketing of the Forester as a rugged SUV, it continued its legacy of providing underpinnings shared with sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons.

Inside, the Forester maintained Subaru's no-nonsense approach with durable materials designed to withstand typical family activities. The Sport trim added orange trim and cross-stitching for a bit of flair. Cloth upholstery was standard on Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims offered leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L added a third row to the standard Grand Cherokee, extending the body by 11.4 inches and the wheelbase by five inches. This added legroom, wider rear doors, and a generally elongated shape that blended seamlessly with the overall design. Introduced before the two-row model, the L version made the shorter Grand Cherokee appear incomplete by comparison.

The Grand Cherokee L emphasized Jeep’s classic design cues, like the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, paired with modern LED lighting and fine-tuned paint finishes. From the basic Laredo to the high-end Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee L looked impressively elegant and robust. New paint colors like Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky enhanced its visual appeal for 2022.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L took luxury to new heights with options like dual high-resolution screens, real wood and aluminum trim, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The design and tactile quality met and even exceeded luxury vehicle standards, making the cabin feel lavish and well-appointed. Features like multiple screen displays, air suspension, and various driving modes aimed for both comfort and capable handling.

Under the hood, the 2021 Subaru Forester came exclusively with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, linked to a CVT with a manual mode and paddle shifters on certain trims. Subaru's choice of a boxer engine delivered a lower center of gravity compared to standard inline-fours, which theoretically improved stability. Despite the adequate power, the lack of a turbocharged option left the Forester feeling underpowered during highway merges and overtakes. Noise levels were high at speed, and the soft suspension contributed to a somewhat bouncy ride with considerable body roll.

Subaru's traditional all-wheel drive (AWD) setup was standard, finished with an X-Mode for varying driving conditions, while the Sport models got Dual X-Mode for enhanced surface-specific handling. Hill-descent control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowed the Forester to navigate mud and dirt effectively, though serious off-road capability was better left to models like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

In the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, two familiar engines—the 3.6-liter V6 and the 5.7-liter V8—were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. These engines were available with either RWD or 4WD, but a hybrid system, while available on related vehicles, was not offered here. For plug-in hybrid enthusiasts, the 4xe variant combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery, and two electric motors, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Our tested Grand Cherokee L came with the V6, which struggled under the vehicle’s weight, needing high revs to utilize its 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Insufficient acceleration, even with an empty cabin, and intrusive engine noise diminished the driving experience, despite the V6 delivering decent fuel economy at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The available V8, with its 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, provided a far more satisfying performance but at the cost of fuel efficiency (14/22/17 mpg).

The Grand Cherokee L’s chassis, however, transformed the driving experience. The optional air suspension offered adjustable ride height settings ranging from a low Access height to a high Off-Road 2 mode with 10.9 inches of ground clearance. Various driving modes facilitated performance tuning for diverse terrain, similar to a Land Rover. With remarkable ride composure, minimal body roll, and precise steering, the chassis was a standout feature.

In terms of interior space, the Forester's tall, flat roofline promoted excellent headroom and legroom for both rows, contributing to a spacious and airy cabin feel. The ample glass area ensured great outward visibility—a hallmark of the Forester. With the rear seats up, cargo capacity stood at 35.4 cubic feet, expanding to 76.1 cubic feet when folded. While generous, this cargo space was less than what some competitors offered with their rear seats up. Features like a power liftgate were available on higher trims, improving practicality.

Jeep's Grand Cherokee L offered more generous interiors justifying its larger footprint. The three-row setup comfortably seated adults in all positions, including the third row, which was surprisingly spacious for long-distance travel. A panorama sunroof, large windows, and abundant USB ports enhanced passenger comfort on long trips. However, the small air vents struggled to cool the extensive cabin efficiently. The Grand Cherokee L provided 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with it folded, and 84.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows down.

The 2021 Subaru Forester’s standard Starlink infotainment system featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Higher trims gained an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and dual USB ports in the rear. The interface was user-friendly, although startup was slow. Additional displays provided secondary information but felt unnecessarily complex.

In comparison, the 2022 Grand Cherokee L’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system maintained simplicity and clarity with sleek, responsive graphics. Physical switches for climate and stereo controls added to user convenience. Higher trims offered luxurious touches like 16-way power adjustable front seats with massage, head-up displays, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an effective Active Driving Assist feature. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enhanced connectivity. Rear-seat passengers were catered with optional dual 10.1-inch touchscreens equipped with Amazon Fire TV.