2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Chevrolet Blazer

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer sported a contemporary design influenced by the Chevy Camaro, reflecting an aggressive yet stylish demeanor. Available in 2LT, 3LT, Premier, and RS trims, the Blazer offered a variety of features. The 2LT, 3LT, and Premier trims came with a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Meanwhile, the Blazer RS exclusively housed a V6 engine with a sophisticated twin-clutch AWD system designed for improved responsiveness on low-traction surfaces.

In 2022, the Blazer saw minimal updates. Revised bumper and bodyside trim, and redesigned standard wheels on Premier models, were among the changes. A newly introduced Enhanced Convenience Package and a Trailering Package for turbocharged models became available, and a two-tone paint option was added for the LT and RS trims. Pricing ranged from $33,400 to $41,100, excluding a $1,195 destination charge from Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

Our test vehicle, the Blazer RS, featured optional AWD, special Cherry Red Tintcoat paint, and both the Enhanced Convenience and Driver Confidence II Packages, bringing the total to $49,000. The Blazer’s Camaro-like styling extended to the interior, manifesting in the infotainment and climate control systems. The 8-inch touchscreen display was user-friendly, accented by innovative temperature adjustment rings integrated into the large round center air vents. However, despite these positive attributes, the interior fell short concerning material quality with noticeable hard plastics, particularly on the door panels.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, on the other hand, was introduced as a longer, three-row version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. Measuring 11.4 inches longer, the Grand Cherokee L featured a stretched wheelbase of five inches, offering improved second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The additional space seamlessly blended into the vehicle’s design, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L, launched in 2021, was easily recognizable as a Jeep.

Key design elements such as the seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end, combined with modernized lighting and superior paint finish, gave the Grand Cherokee L a high-quality appearance. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing their elegance. Jeep introduced three new exterior paint colors for 2022: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Inside, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a luxe experience akin to a Mercedes, featuring dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. Despite its high price tag, consumers found these premium materials and design elements to be worthy investments. However, the all-black interior option provided enough detail and contrast to keep passengers visually engaged.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, it powered either the front or all four wheels, and drivers could select from Tour, Sport, Slippery, and Tow/Haul driving modes. Remote engine start was available as well.

The Blazer RS featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 308 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine option was exclusive to the RS trim and optional on 3LT and Premier trims. The V6 variant offered the same driving modes and remote start as the turbo-four but paired with a more sophisticated dual-clutch AWD system, enabling a towing capacity of up to 4,500 pounds. While depicting sportiness, the Blazer RS had a firm ride and decent grip but was less satisfying on winding back roads. The transmission did not downshift quickly enough in Sport mode, and the steering felt artificial and overly hefty.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered familiar engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6 or a 5.7-liter V8, each paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which felt underpowered for such a large vehicle, especially when fully loaded with passengers. Engine noise penetrated the cabin, diminishing the luxurious experience.

A 48-volt hybrid system was available in Ram pickup trucks but not in the Grand Cherokee. However, the upcoming 4xe plug-in hybrid, promising 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, suggested a more efficient and powerful option. While the V6 version struggled with its early upshifts and wheezy noise, the V8 option, producing 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, provided a far more satisfying driving experience, though it was notably less fuel-efficient.

Comparatively, the Grand Cherokee L’s chassis shined with its exceptional ride composure and steering precision. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both comfort and off-road capability. In off-road modes, the Grand Cherokee L could achieve a maximum ground clearance of 10.9 inches, making it versatile for varied terrain.

In terms of interior space and comfort, the 2022 Chevrolet Blazer offered a well-designed but somewhat hard-plastic-heavy cabin. Our RS test model featured black leather upholstery with red perforations, adding a sporty aesthetic. The power-adjustable steering wheel was heated, and both front seats featured heating and ventilation alongside power adjustments, though they lacked in bolstering and thigh support.

Dual-zone automatic climate control was available, complete with effective rear air vents and numerous storage options. The Blazer’s rear seat was wide and flat, sliding on tracks to offer adjustable cargo or passenger space. Storage spots were abundant, including a sizeable glove compartment, a center armrest bin, door panel bins, and seatback pockets.

The Blazer’s cargo space measured 30.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was relatively small for a midsize SUV.

On the other hand, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L provided a spacious and sophisticated interior loaded with modern amenities. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was user-friendly, complemented by physical switches for climate and audio controls. Upper trims featured luxurious additions like massage modes for the 16-way power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, and night vision with pedestrian and animal detection.

Passengers enjoyed ample space in all three rows, configured either as six-person seating with captain’s chairs or an optional seven-person bench seat. However, air vents seemed inadequately sized, necessitating a higher fan setting, which could be noisy. The Grand Cherokee L also outshined the Blazer in cargo capacity, with its third row folded providing ample storage for adventure gear or family necessities.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came equipped with intuitive technology, featuring an 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen. The system was user-friendly with physical knobs for volume and tuning functions, accompanied by Home and Back buttons. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an upgraded system with satellite radio, and connected navigation added to the convenience. The infotainment system also supported OnStar and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Though the Bose audio system was marketed as premium, its sound quality left room for improvement.

Additionally, the Blazer offered a range of advanced driver assistance systems, including rear parking sensors, a high-resolution reversing camera, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror, essential for overcoming the SUV’s poor rear visibility.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L took technology up a notch with numerous high-end features. Upper trims included multiple massage modes, a head-up display, night vision, a crystal-clear 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The Uconnect 5 system allowed for seamless integration with navigation and smartphone apps, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for two phones simultaneously.

For 2022, Jeep introduced a 10.3-inch dashboard touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors were standard, while additional features like four-zone climate control and a McIntosh stereo system were available for higher trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Blazer came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology for monitoring young drivers.

Additional safety upgrades included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat, adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and LED headlights. While the Blazer did not earn a “Top Safety Pick” rating from IIHS due to inadequate headlight performance, the comprehensive safety features worked seamlessly without causing driver frustration.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS as of the available updates. However, it came equipped with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Summit trims offered additional features such as automatic parking and front cross-traffic alert.