2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out among midsize SUVs with its distinctive design, featuring wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its unique appearance. The Highlander managed to look longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size, and the new XSE trim level introduced a sportier front end and suspension tuning, although it didn't quite match the performance of sportier rivals.

Inside, the Highlander Limited trim impressed with its near-flawless fit and finish, featuring tan leather seats, dark brown trim, and wood details. The interior exuded luxury, with a comfortable steering wheel and no squeaks or rattles. The Highlander excelled in comfort and convenience, making it a strong contender for families seeking a practical yet upscale vehicle.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length and third-row seating, offered a more spacious and elegant design compared to the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. The L's 11.4-inch longer body and five-inch longer wheelbase provided ample second-row legroom and wider rear doors. Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and modernized lighting gave the Grand Cherokee L a recognizable and impressive appearance. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing its upscale look.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L featured a luxurious interior with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The attention to detail and tactile quality rivaled that of premium brands. The spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably, even in the third row, and the panoramic roof and ample USB ports made long journeys enjoyable. However, the air vents were small and struggled to provide sufficient airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which could be noisy.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable choice for family transportation. While it wasn't the fastest in its class, it provided adequate power for highway merging and daily driving. The Highlander's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a bit of body roll through corners, but the XSE trim added sportier suspension components for a slightly more engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 with 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. The V6 engine, while sufficient for solo driving, struggled when the vehicle was fully loaded, and engine noise was noticeable under acceleration. The V8 provided a more satisfying performance, with better power delivery and a pleasing exhaust note. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a 4xe plug-in hybrid option with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, providing emissions-free 4WD.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was a standout feature, offering excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided a comfortable ride with adjustable settings for different driving conditions. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its five ride height settings and various driving modes, making it suitable for a range of terrains. However, the V6 engine's performance was a weak point, and the transmission's programming didn't fully complement the engine's characteristics.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and practicality. It featured large shelves ahead of the front seats for storing cell phones and other items, with a pass-through for charging cords. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, and the seats could be adjusted to balance space between the middle and third rows. However, the rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which could be uncomfortable for middle-row passengers. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 16 cubic feet, but folding down the third row increased it to 48.4 cubic feet, and folding down both rows provided 84.3 cubic feet of space.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a user-friendly Uconnect 5 infotainment system with sleek graphics and physical switches for climate and audio controls. 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 provided ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs or an optional 60/40 split bench seat. The panoramic roof and large windows enhanced the cabin's airy feel, but the small air vents struggled to provide sufficient airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. The infotainment system was easy to use, but the navigation system struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, but some apps were limited to an 8-inch rectangle, raising questions about the value of the larger screen.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims featured premium amenities, including massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. 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. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other driver aids were standard, with additional features available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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. Additional safety features were available on higher trims, enhancing the vehicle's overall safety profile.