2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of styling, positioned between the angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional aesthetics of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It featured Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille and distinctive vertical taillights, which were somewhat at odds with its compact size and tall profile. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct exterior styling, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a cohesive design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an elegant extension of the standard Grand Cherokee, with an 11.4-inch longer body to accommodate a third row of seats. Its design seamlessly integrated the extra length, maintaining Jeep’s recognizable features like the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches. The Grand Cherokee L’s interior was luxurious, with high-quality materials and a layout reminiscent of a Mercedes, offering a premium feel. The spacious cabin, even in the third row, and the availability of new exterior paint colors added to its appeal. The Grand Cherokee L was a testament to Jeep’s ability to blend ruggedness with luxury.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6, particularly in the Premium Luxury trim, provided a smooth and quick driving experience, with linear power delivery and efficient gear shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, enhancing the ride quality by cushioning bumps and maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-calibrated for a luxury vehicle, contributing to a quiet and comfortable cabin experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 5.7-liter V8 engine, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The V6, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, felt underpowered for the vehicle’s size, especially when fully loaded. The V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, provided a more robust performance. The Grand Cherokee L excelled in ride composure and steering precision, with an optional air suspension offering five ride height settings for varied driving conditions. The plug-in hybrid 4xe variant promised better performance, though it was not tested. The Grand Cherokee L’s chassis and suspension setup made it a stellar performer, even on challenging terrains.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though less than the BMW X3. It provided ample legroom in both rows but fell short in rear headroom. The seats were comfortable but could have benefited from more cushioning. The XT5 boasted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing its German rivals but not the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen added convenience, though the center console space was limited.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured a user-friendly Uconnect 5 infotainment system with physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The interior was spacious, accommodating adults comfortably in all three rows. The second-row captain’s chairs were standard, with an optional bench seat for increased capacity. A panoramic roof and ample USB ports enhanced the travel experience, though the air vents were insufficient for optimal airflow. The Grand Cherokee L’s interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with thoughtful features like a large bin for wireless phone charging and a central cubby under the armrest.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. While the infotainment system was an improvement over previous versions, it lacked the sophistication of competitors. The array of secondary controls was not user-friendly, with poorly placed capacitive touchpads and a rotary controller that complicated navigation. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality, enhanced by the XT5’s quiet interior.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered advanced technology features, especially in upper trims. These included multiple 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 seamlessly with the instrument panel, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 was equipped with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though it had a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” LATCH rating.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. The Grand Cherokee L included various driver aids, enhancing its safety profile.