2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured a design that balanced between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional aesthetics of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It incorporated Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in a somewhat awkward appearance due to the XT5’s compact size and tall profile. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had unique exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels were included on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models, while the Sport models came with 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the XT5’s interior felt luxurious, particularly with the optional Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, door trim, a microfiber sueded headliner, and a heated steering wheel. Without this package, it was unclear if the XT5 met luxury standards. The interior design lacked a strong theme, unlike competitors such as the Volvo XC60, Lincoln Corsair, or Genesis GV70, and did not have brand-specific markers like Audi, BMW, or Mercedes interiors, making it less distinctive as a Cadillac.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, maintained Jeep’s design traditions while introducing a two-row version of the previous year’s extended-length Grand Cherokee L. The new Grand Cherokee was available in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding a $1,795 destination charge. The SUV’s styling drew inspiration from the 1963 Wagoneer, featuring a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. A black roof option and a limited selection of paint colors were initially available, with more colors promised later.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee’s interior mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with the base Laredo offering good quality cloth seats and higher trims providing luxurious features such as premium quilted leather, heated and ventilated front seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. The gloss black finish on higher trims’ controls could be reflective and harder to use, while lower trims’ matte-black finish was more functional. Overall, the Grand Cherokee offered a range of options to suit different preferences for style, comfort, and purpose.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with two engine options. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard on the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 3.6-liter V6 engine, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, delivered 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided sufficient power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which offered a comfortable ride and excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without requiring constant corrections, and the cabin was impressively quiet.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) and came with either a V6 or a V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The available 5.7-liter V8 engine, offered with higher trims and 4WD, generated 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three different 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee used an eight-speed automatic transmission, which could be tricky to operate due to its dial-style shifter. Fuel economy estimates ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain. The Trailhawk trim, designed for serious off-roading, featured Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, a Quadra-Lift air suspension, and other off-road enhancements. The V6 engine was preferred for its efficiency and good acceleration, while the V8 provided a thrilling sound and more power at the cost of higher fuel consumption. The Grand Cherokee’s ride quality was excellent, with or without the adaptive damping Quadra-Lift air suspension, and it felt more nimble and athletic than the larger Grand Cherokee L.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers. It had more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but less than the BMW X3. The XT5 also trailed all three German vehicles in rear headroom but provided more legroom in both rows, except for front legroom compared to the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were fairly comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC but falling short of the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger across all trims, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. Visibility was improved, especially for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. The air conditioning performed well in moderate temperatures, but rear-seat room was tight for adults with long legs. The Grand Cherokee L offered more rear legroom and greater cargo capacity due to its more vertical rear window and liftgate design. The two-row Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display were available with the optional Technology Package. While the infotainment system was an improvement over previous versions, it still lagged behind competitors in screen size, graphics, and voice recognition. The rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback. The standard eight-speaker Bose audio system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was packed with technology, including a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, standard on all trims, offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. Most trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and voice recognition were standard. The system supported two Bluetooth devices simultaneously and offered upgrades like navigation and HD Radio. The optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger allowed for entertainment and driver assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV integration.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. Blind-spot monitoring was available, but the XT5 did not offer the advanced Super Cruise driver-assist system. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an extensive collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a safety cage composed mainly of aluminum and high-strength steel. The ADAS package included intersection collision assist, active driving assist, and a hands-free version of active driving assist coming in 2022. Active driving assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The system performed well on the road but required driver attention on tighter curves. The new Grand Cherokee aimed to improve crash protection compared to the previous generation, which had mediocre crash-test performance.