2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made an imposing statement with its robust presence and distinctive design. Beyond its sheer size, it boasted a grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights scaled to its formidable dimensions. The vertical running lights and horizontal headlights evoked a diesel locomotive's front end, lending it a unique yet assertive appearance. The model’s trim options allowed for personalization, offering bright exterior trim for the Luxury and Premium Luxury models or darkened elements for the Sport trim, such as a mesh grille. Riding on the same body-on-frame architecture as other GM full-size SUVs, the Escalade managed to carve out its own niche, distinguishing itself with a blend of imposing style and minor functional drawbacks, like its seemingly insufficient 22-inch wheels and less-than-cohesive interior design.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the legacy of its predecessors with a sophisticated yet rugged design. Since its debut, the Grand Cherokee combined toughness and a touch of luxury, and the L version only enhanced the aesthetic appeal with its additional foot in length. The Hydro Blue variant with the High Altitude package featured blacked-out grille and logos, 21-inch dark gray wheels, and luxurious interior touches like black leather with gold stitching. The exterior retained classic Jeep elements, such as U-shaped fenders and a square greenhouse, while incorporating modern touches like slim LED lighting and curved rooflines. Inside, upper trims impressed with quality materials and features like a polished black dash with an optional touchscreen, and aluminum speaker grilles, maintaining an upscale vibe.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine pushing 277 hp and matching the V8’s torque at 460 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in either rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD). During testing, the diesel engine impressed with smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, although braking performance felt less confident. Towing capacity differed slightly, with the gasoline engine capable of towing 8,200 pounds, just shy of the Lincoln Navigator’s 8,700-pound capacity, while the diesel managed 100 pounds less. The Escalade’s ride quality was compromised by its body-on-frame construction and large wheels, leading to an unsettled ride experience compared to unibody SUVs like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, as well as truck-based competitors like the Lincoln Navigator.

Conversely, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L struggled with its standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine lagged in low-end torque, making it less ideal for the heavy SUV. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, generating 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, provided better performance, especially for towing, with a max capacity of 7,200 pounds compared to the V6’s 6,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L’s V8 maintained a balanced ride thanks to a solid chassis and air suspension, offering a ride smoother than competitors, though it still fell short of the race-tuned handling of Mercedes-AMG and BMW M models. Jeep’s array of three 4WD systems and adjustable air suspension allowed for impressive ground clearance and off-road capability, second only to Land Rover in sophistication.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its platform with Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, and GMC Yukon models. Measuring 211.9 inches in its standard form and 227 inches for the ESV version, the Escalade boasted significant interior space. It led full-size luxury SUVs in first- and third-row legroom, with versatile seating configurations including standard second-row captain’s chairs. Cargo space was generous, offering 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 63.0 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats down, surpassing its rivals in capacity. However, some functionality issues arose, such as limited center console storage and front seats that didn’t quite match the upscale feel expected from a Cadillac.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered enhanced legroom due to its longer wheelbase. The interior felt spacious, with second-row captain’s chairs as standard and a 60/40 bench seat available for an additional cost. The third-row, though operable via power-fold features, was best suited for younger passengers. Driver visibility was excellent, and the cabin layout included easy-to-reach controls. However, the infotainment systems had legibility issues, with some icons and readouts proving hard to decipher. In terms of cargo space, the Grand Cherokee L provided 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the second row down, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, offering ample storage but falling short of the Escalade’s capacity.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade stood out with its advanced infotainment setup comprising a 38-inch curved OLED display that merged a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch auxiliary screen. This system integrated seamlessly with the dash, avoiding the “tablet tacked-on” look prevalent in other vehicles. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, were standard, complemented by physical controls for essential functions. Despite its impressive overall design, the system had flaws, such as awkward radio station controls and a rotary controller that seemed tacked on. The tech features included a high-resolution 360-degree camera, rearview camera mirror, head-up display, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation, providing comprehensive assistance to the driver.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 system across its variants, with base trims equipped with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and higher trims with a 10.1-inch version. The system was mostly user-friendly, though hampered by some legibility issues. The innovative night vision projected alerts on the instrument panel, enhancing safety during nighttime driving. Active Driving Assistance offered semi-automated driving on highways, although it lacked automated lane changing. Upper trims enjoyed luxurious tech features like 16-way power front seats with massage programs, a head-up display, a superb passenger screen, and Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers. Overall, the Grand Cherokee L’s tech suite was rich and offered features that set it apart from competitors.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade was equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The unique Safety Alert Seat provided haptic feedback for various alerts. Higher trims featured blind-spot monitoring and trailer blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise offered hands-free driving capabilities on pre-mapped highways, adding a significant advantage in ease of driving. However, due to the lack of published safety ratings by IIHS and NHTSA, its crashworthiness remained unverified.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for models built after May 2023, ensuring it met high safety standards. NHTSA awarded it five stars in most tests, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control, with optional features like front cross-traffic braking and night vision on higher trims. Active Driving Assist added semi-automated driving capabilities, making it a strong contender for safety.