2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban carried forward Chevrolet’s bold full-size truck design language introduced in its 2021 redesign. Sharing external styling cues with the shorter Tahoe SUV and the Silverado 1500 pickup, the Suburban's tall hood, elongated proportions, and large wheels emphasized its supersized appearance. Depending on the trim (LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premiere, High Country), grille, fascia, and wheel designs varied, allowing for some customization even though it came in a single body style.

Our RST test vehicle, adorned in a striking Cherry Red Tintcoat with 22-inch bright-machined black-painted wheels, stood out. The monochromatic black grille with Black Ice accents, combined with the specific badging and emblems unique to the RST trim, culminated in an especially sporty look.

Inside, the Suburban offered extensive space and varying degrees of opulence depending on the trim level. The base LS trim was economically comfortable, while the top-spec High Country boasted luxurious features. Leather seats were standard from the LT trim upwards, with material quality improving in tandem with the price. The RST trim we tested had 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, bright sill plates, and Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, along with an optional Luxury package that included heated second-row outboard seats. However, the predominantly black interior of the RST trim made the cabin feel somewhat dark despite the luxury elements.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee also retained a familiar design language. Borrowing from the 2021 Grand Cherokee L, the 2022 model featured Jeep’s typical seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and design cues harking back to the 1963 Wagoneer. Available in trims like Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, each variant promised to cater to different preferences and purposes.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee provided comfort that improved with each trim level. The base Laredo offered good quality cloth seats, while the Summit Reserve featured premium quilted and stitched leather, front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, a McIntosh high-end audio system, and a large panoramic sunroof. Visibility had been enhanced, adding situational awareness for both off-roading and regular driving. In addition, the rear seats, while slightly cramped for adults, notably improved legroom in the Grand Cherokee L variant.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came with three engine choices: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six. Mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission featuring electronic shift control, these engines aimed to cater to different driving needs. The 5.3-liter V8 standard on most trims produced 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2-liter V8 standard on the High Country trim (and available on RST, Z71, and Premier) generated 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel, a new addition, delivered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, benefiting from a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Our RST tester sported the 6.2-liter V8, providing substantial power for both daily driving and towing. The beefy engine offered effortless acceleration and noticeable performance benefits over the standard 5.3-liter V8. The maximum towing capacity for the Suburban was 8,300 pounds, making it a capable hauler.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered RWD or 4WD, with a choice of either a V6 or a V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. For more power, the 5.7-liter V8 engine delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds.

Three different 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each geared toward varying off-road capabilities. The Trailhawk trim included features such as electronic locking rear differentials, a Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Speed off-road cruise control, making it an off-road powerhouse. The EPA fuel economy estimates ranged from 17 mpg combined for the V8 and 4WD to 21 mpg for the V6.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban was a master of space optimization. Designed to carry up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat (LS only), the Suburban typically offered seven or eight-passenger seating configurations. Unlike its predecessors, the third row provided ample space for adults. Behind the third row, it offered 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to a class-leading 144.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The second-row seats could slide forward by 5.5 inches, and both the second and third rows could fold flat easily.

However, the Suburban's size posed challenges in maneuvering and parking in tight spaces, making it less city-friendly despite advanced features like a power-sliding center console with hidden storage. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls also required a learning curve for those accustomed to the column-mounted shifter.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee emphasized comfort and visibility. The redesigned model offered more comfortable and higher quality interiors as you upgraded through the trims. Visibility had been significantly improved for both regular and off-road driving, and the optional panoramic sunroof enhanced the cabin's airy feel.

The two-row Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Although the Grand Cherokee L offered more cargo capacity (46.9 cubic feet behind the third row and 84.6 cubic feet total), the two-row version remained accommodating for luggage needs.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered a surprising level of tech for a full-size SUV. Chevrolet increased its technology offerings with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster now standard on LT and above, and Google built-in with Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store access. The system included 13 available camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view. The Infotainment 3 System with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the LS, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the LT included a 10.2-inch Infotainment 3 Premium System and a nine-speaker Bose audio system, while the Premier and High Country boasted a 10-speaker Bose Surround system.

Jeep’s 2022 Grand Cherokee featured cutting-edge technology. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system boasted five-fold improved responsiveness with over-the-air updates. Standard features included an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a McIntosh 19-speaker audio system. A standout feature was the optional 10.25-inch interactive passenger display. The Grand Cherokee’s tech suite also included a head-up display and Night Vision system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with Chevy Safety Assist, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and front pedestrian braking. New standard safety features for 2022 included front park assist, lane-keeping aid, and lane-departure warning. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, HD surround vision, and rear pedestrian alert. Our test vehicle featured GM's Safety Alert Seat, and the Suburban earned an overall four-star rating from NHTSA, with specific scores of four stars for front crash protection, five for side crash protection, and three for rollover resistance.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee fortified its structure with aluminum and high-strength steel. It offered advanced driver assistance systems, including new Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist for semi-autonomous driving. Jeep also promised a hands-free version of Active Driving Assist for approved North American roads in 2022, adding a future level of autonomous driving capability. The underlying safety structure and advanced features aimed to ensure improved crash-test performance relative to previous models.