2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. GMC equipped the Terrain AT4 with a steel skid plate under the front end to protect vital mechanical components, anticipating that some owners might test its off-road capabilities. The test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. However, more affordable SLE and SLT trims were available, and the luxurious Terrain Denali was an option for those willing to splurge.

Despite the high price tag, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations. The optional head-up display projected information onto a clear plastic panel rather than the windshield, and the pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive. The storage tray on the center console was too narrow for a smartphone, which seemed like a significant oversight. While the caramel-colored contrast piping and stitching in the AT4's cabin were nice, the overall craftsmanship did not reflect the premium price.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, introduced as an 11.4-inch longer version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodated a third row of seats. The wheelbase stretched five inches for more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The Grand Cherokee L's design was elegant and recognizable as a Jeep, with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. For 2022, Jeep added new exterior paint colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The layout felt like money well spent, and the materials and tactile quality were comparable to a Mercedes. Even in all-black, the interior had enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated. The lighter tan leather option required passengers to wipe their hands and feet before entering, maintaining the luxurious feel.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which offered better acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, was no longer available. The 1.5-liter engine could handle a trailer weighing up to 1,500 pounds. The engine's 170 horsepower arrived at 5,600 rpm, while the torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling, but there was a delay off the line.

The Terrain AT4 could switch between FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system available. Torque steer was an issue in FWD mode, but switching to AWD eliminated this sensation. The Terrain AT4 had 7.9 inches of ground clearance, less than some competitors. The ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but the sport-terrain tires added road noise. Off-road, the Terrain AT4's front end scraped the ground, indicating it wasn't high enough or modified enough for serious off-roading. The powertrain met fuel economy expectations, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg and an observed 26.2 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in RWD or 4WD. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was noticeable under acceleration, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, available on higher trims, offered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, providing better performance and a satisfying sound.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, with ride composure and steering feel that were taut and direct. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, varying from soft to firm depending on the driving mode. The Grand Cherokee L handled well on rough roads, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds for 4WD models. The V6 had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17.

The 2022 GMC Terrain's interior was roomy for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air-conditioning vents. The eight-way power driver's seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel allowed for a comfortable driving position. The perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping added an upscale feel.

The Terrain's back seat was spacious, with plenty of legroom and foot room, and a rear USB charging port. The interior had various storage slots and spots, including a small shelf in the dashboard, narrow shelves in the door panels, and on the sides of the center console. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a large storage bin underneath the trunk floor. Folding the rear seat down created 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space, and the front passenger seat could also be folded down for longer items.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured straightforward graphics and physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system occasionally lagged, and some graphics and text were difficult to read. The Grand Cherokee L offered plenty of space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional.

A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports made long journeys comfortable. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was loud. The Grand Cherokee L's interior featured multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for the SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The larger screen had a connected navigation system with natural voice recognition and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts.

The Terrain's Tech Package included a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Tire Fill Alert system made it easier to keep the tires properly inflated, and the remote engine starting system was useful in extreme weather conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims featured premium amenities, including 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 could take over the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers.

Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors were standard. The Summit trims had additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, available on SLE, SLT, and AT4 trims, added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat.

The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, except for a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of the review.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.