2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a broad range of models, expanding its lineup with rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, and introduced the ST-Line for a sportier look. Priced from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding a $1,495 destination charge, the King's Ranch version highlighted our review with a $59,880 price, including Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof.

Visually, the King Ranch didn't differ much from other top-trim Explorers, sharing features like King Ranch emblems, shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. The rear-drive platform of the Explorer allowed for a long and tall hood, short front overhang, and a rakish roofline, creating a taut, athletic look. Blacked-out roof pillars contributed to the "floating roof" aesthetic, popular in previous models.

Inside, the King Ranch brought exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding. The chocolate brown over caramel interior was the sole option, pushing some to opt for the Platinum trim if this color combination wasn’t appealing. The interior mix of high and low-quality materials often left some questioning its near $60,000 price tag.

By contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, extended 11.4 inches to accommodate a third row, launched first, making the two-row Grand Cherokee look truncated. With a longer wheelbase that provided more second-row legroom and wider doors, the Grand Cherokee L maintained an elegant and recognizable Jeep look with a seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and modernized lighting. New paint options for 2022 included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Elegance extended inside with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather appointments. The design handled contrast well, offering enough detail even in an all-black interior to maintain a luxury feel. Optional lighter tan leather added a level of posh appeal, though it often required a careful step to maintain cleanliness.

The 2022 Ford Explorer presented three powertrain choices. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline models featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine providing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This was paired with a 10-speed automatic and RWD, with 4WD as an option. The combined fuel efficiency stood at 24 mpg, with a towing capacity reaching 5,300 pounds.

A more efficient hybrid option, based on a 3.3-liter V6, offered 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, achieving up to 27 mpg. This hybrid powertrain was available for the Limited trim and the Platinum—though it reduced the latter's price by $1,400—providing RWD or 4WD and a 10-speed automatic.

For those prioritizing power and towing over fuel efficiency, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 generated 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, standard on the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims. This version towed up to 5,600 pounds but came with a lower fuel efficiency of 21 mpg. Our test King Ranch averaged 20.6 mpg with official ratings at 20 mpg.

Compared to the Explorer, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a choice of a 3.6-liter V6 or a 5.7-liter V8 engine, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in RWD or 4WD. The tested V6, with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, felt underwhelming, especially in a fully loaded vehicle. The engine noise under acceleration and the transmission's early upshifts added to this lackluster performance. Fuel economy for the V6 was adequate at 21 mpg combined, while the V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, offered significantly better performance but lower fuel efficiency at 17 mpg combined.

The Grand Cherokee L's 4xe plug-in hybrid, though not tested, promised to be a superior option, combining a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack for 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Chassis refinement was a key highlight for the Grand Cherokee L, with a ride quality blending comfort and control, supported by an optional air suspension that could vary between soft and firm settings. The off-road prowess was notable, with multiple ride height settings and terrain-selectable driving modes that modeled closer to Land Rover's systems. Tow capacities ranged to a maximum of 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2022 Ford Explorer catered well to families of four, with a second-row bench seat enabling occasional five-passenger capacity. However, the third-row seat was primarily for children due to limited space. The King Ranch trim came well-equipped with features like triple-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and massaging front seats.

Practical storage left more to be desired, with a stingy center console and absent trays or shelves. Cargo capacity was functional but not extraordinary—offering 18.2 cubic feet behind the third-row, expanding to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and maxing at 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

In contrast, the Grand Cherokee L provided expansive passenger space, accommodating adults in all three rows. Second-row captain’s chairs were standard, with a bench seat option. Ample USB ports, large windows, and a panoramic roof complemented this spaciousness. However, ineffective air vents required the fan to remain on high, which was quite loud.

Cargo capabilities for the Grand Cherokee L were substantial. While specific cargo dimensions weren't detailed in the text, the Jeep's longer wheelbase and added seating suggested better cargo handling compared to the Explorer's tapered design.

Ford’s 2022 Explorer was equipped with Sync 3 infotainment, featuring an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The larger screen, however, felt like an afterthought. Our test model boasted features like FordPass Connect services, WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The outdated Sync 3 struggled with voice recognition, often misinterpreting commands, highlighting the urgent need for an upgrade to Sync 4.

In contrast, the 2022 Grand Cherokee L excelled in tech offerings, particularly in upper trims. Features included a head-up display, night vision, 360-degree cameras, and Active Driving Assist. The UConnect 5 system, integrated with a 10.1-inch touchscreen was praised for its sleek, user-friendly interface. Noteworthy was its ability to switch to preferred maps when a phone was connected. Jeep also offered a 10.3-inch passenger-side screen and rear-seat touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV integration for 2022. An array of advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and cross-traffic alert further enhanced the tech appeal.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, with pending NHTSA ratings for 2022. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Functions like post-collision braking and MyKey for teen drivers were notable.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L hadn’t been tested by NHTSA or IIHS yet. Standard safety continued with knee airbags for both the driver and passenger, trailer sway control, and a rear seat alert for unintentional left passengers. Standard advanced driver aids included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.