2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 presented a unique appearance, borrowing some styling elements from other Genesis models but maintaining its distinct identity. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback look. The ribbed detailing added a muscular profile, combining the visual bulk of an SUV with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige models stood out with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia with big vents, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. The interior boasted an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with most controls housed in a thin elliptical pod. The design was minimalistic, with a touchscreen perched atop the dashboard and hidden air vents. The interior offered a variety of color options, and the material quality in the Sport Prestige model was luxurious, featuring Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length to accommodate a third row of seats, offered an elegant and recognizable Jeep design. It featured the iconic seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end, with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. The interior was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The Grand Cherokee L's interior layout felt like a premium investment, offering ample space in all rows, including the third row, which could comfortably fit an average adult. The panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced the travel experience, although the air vents were small and required the fan to be on high, which was quite loud.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more common in sporty coupes than compact SUVs. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior for a sportier experience, but the GV70's chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was not pleasant. The GV70 was more comfortable on highways, but the ride was firm, even in Comfort mode, and it lacked the solidity expected from a true luxury vehicle.

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 rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was noticeable, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, available on higher trims, offered 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a more satisfying performance. The plug-in hybrid 4xe, with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, was a promising option, although not tested. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing comfort and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee L could handle rough roads and had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 with 4WD.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment. Despite its car-like roofline, it provided front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. The cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground of its segment. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, a covered storage cubby with USB ports was included for phones, and rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, although some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. Physical switches separated climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions from the touchscreen, providing ease of use. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating an average adult comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat as an option. The panoramic roof, large windows, and USB ports enhanced the travel experience, although the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be on high, which was loud.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 was equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller was functional with pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display with a 3D effect. The GV70 featured a digital-key option, allowing drivers to use a smartphone instead of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services included features like remote activation of 360-degree cameras and a radar-based rear-seat monitor.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including 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, an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen was available for the front passenger, and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV were optional for rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came standard with safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag between the front seats. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. Optional safety features included automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition.