2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, priced at $42,083, was a fully-loaded model that didn't quite look the part. Despite its high price tag, it resembled a standard rental car RAV4. The trim level lacked the larger wheels found on the non-hybrid RAV4 Limited, and the electronic all-wheel-drive system wasn't robust enough for an Adventure trim level. However, the RAV4 Hybrid had a tough appearance, needing only a bolder set of wheels to complete the look. Inside, it was stylish and practical, though the quality was inconsistent, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. A rattle from the license plate on the tailgate was a minor annoyance.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodating a third row of seats. The wheelbase stretched five inches for more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The extra length blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee look truncated. The Grand Cherokee L was elegant and unmistakably a Jeep, with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. New exterior paint colors for 2022 included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky. The interior was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, making it feel like a high-end vehicle.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, generating 219 horsepower. This was 16 hp more than the standard RAV4 engine but 83 hp less than the plug-in RAV4 Prime. The front electric motor produced 149 lb-ft of torque, while the rear motor generated 89 lb-ft. The RAV4 Hybrid offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. It weighed between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, about 200 pounds more than the standard RAV4. The instant torque from the electric motors made it feel lively, though the four-cylinder engine sounded unpleasant when revved. The EPA rated it at 40 mpg combined, and it averaged 39.7 mpg in testing. The CVT operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The steering was nicely weighted, and the suspension design maximized ride and handling qualities. However, the P225/60R18 Michelin Primacy all-season tires had low grip, making the SUV less fun to drive aggressively. The RAV4 Hybrid handled well on roads and had 8.1 inches of ground clearance for light off-roading.

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 RWD or 4WD. The V6 produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was intrusive, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, providing better performance and a pleasing sound. The V6 had an EPA rating of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was rated at 14/22/17. The chassis was impressive, with excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing comfort and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee L could handle rough roads and had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds for 4WD.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. The rear seats provided decent legroom and excellent foot space, with a reclining backrest and heated cushions. The dashboard was well-organized, with large climate control knobs and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Storage was ample, with useful shelves and a roomy 37.5 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and sleek interface. Physical switches for climate and stereo controls were easy to use, and the central rotary shifter was intuitive. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered plenty of space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced comfort. However, the air vents were small and didn't direct enough airflow, making the fan noisy when on high.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The top-shelf infotainment system included an 11-speaker JBL audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims featured premium amenities like massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and Active Driving Assist. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Summit trims added more advanced features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the base trim. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. Advanced safety features were available on higher trims.