2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport used to look quite familiar, and not without reason. Its refreshed styling for 2022 made it resemble the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck from the doors forward to the windshield. This remarkable similarity was because the Passport shared its platform with the Ridgeline, along with the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot three-row SUV. Essentially, the Passport was a Pilot that had lost some length and its third-row seat, gaining a different, albeit tougher, styling in the process.

Honda's updated design extended to all three trim levels available for the 2022 Passport: the base EX-L, the mid-level TrailSport, and the upscale Elite. New wheel designs were standard across all trims, with the TrailSport trim being newly introduced to appeal to those interested in off-road adventures. Though mainly about appearance more than actual capability, the TrailSport model did feature 8.1 inches of ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and traction management modes optimized for snowy, muddy, and sandy conditions.

Our test vehicle, a TrailSport model, came with 18-inch wheels that looked more rugged than all-terrain tires, a purposeful roof rack, simulated skid plates, and extra-cost Sonic Gray Pearl paint. This particular trim package gave the Passport a more aggressive and capable look, fitting for an adventurous lifestyle.

Inside, the Passport was spacious, offering one of the roomiest interiors in its midsize SUV segment. The cabin boasted high-quality materials and meticulous assembly. Special touches in the TrailSport trim included orange contrast stitching, amber ambient lighting, embroidered headrests, and robust rubber floor mats.

On the other hand, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained the storied Jeep design tradition, while echoing the extended-length Grand Cherokee L released the previous year. Jeep took an unconventional approach by launching the three-row, seven-passenger Grand Cherokee L first, followed by the more traditional two-row, five-passenger Grand Cherokee.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee came in multiple trims: from the basic Laredo to the luxurious Summit Reserve. Prices ranged from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding a $1,795 destination charge. Our drive through Utah included almost every trim level, and each showcased an impressive build, distinctive grille design, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an option for a black roof.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee was largely similar to its larger sibling, the Grand Cherokee L, particularly in the higher trim levels that offered premium quilted leather, a McIntosh audio system, and a large panoramic sunroof. The interior materials exuded quality, even at the base level, with Laredo's cloth seats providing comfort and a surprising sense of luxury.

For 2022, the Honda Passport kept its trusted 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The engine was known for its smoothness and strength, and the nine-speed automatic complemented it well. According to the EPA, the Passport's fuel economy with FWD was 22 mpg combined, and 21 mpg with AWD. Our TrailSport test vehicle managed an average of 21.3 mpg over varying driving conditions.

The Passport's AWD, named Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4), was particularly noteworthy for its mechanical torque vectoring. This system could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, making it more than capable on winding roads and decent in off-road conditions. Successfully driving through a short, moderately challenging trail reaffirmed the torque distribution's efficiency.

Despite its off-road capabilities, the Passport excelled on paved roads. It offered solid acceleration, a firm but communicative ride, and surprisingly agile handling. However, the brakes were a point of concern, as extended downhill driving could cause them to heat up and lead to vibration.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered more variety in powertrains, including both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options, and a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine or a 5.7-liter V8. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. The V8 engine provided 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds.

Available 4WD systems, such as Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, catered to different driving needs. For serious off-roading, the Trailhawk trim offered Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, and a Quadra-Lift air suspension raising the ground clearance to 11.3 inches. The Trailhawk easily handled Moab's rugged trails, impressing us with its off-road prowess.

With every Grand Cherokee mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, there were some quirks with the dial-style shifter. Drivers occasionally found themselves mistakenly selecting Drive instead of Park. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee, especially the Trailhawk, proved exemplary off-road but remained a pleasure on highways, showcasing nimble handling and a refined driving experience.

Inside the 2022 Honda Passport, accessibility was straightforward thanks to its large doors and low step-in height. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, featuring leather upholstery and heated functionalities as standard. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers benefited from plenty of legroom, headroom, and hip room, along with a slightly elevated seating position.

Storage within the Passport was generous. The center console was notably large, with additional shelving and cupholders spread throughout the cabin. Cargo space was also a significant plus, offering 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanding to 77.7 cubic feet when those seats were folded down.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee also provided comfort across all trims, from the cloth seats of the Laredo to the plush, quilted leather seats of the Summit Reserve. Features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof were available in higher trims. Rear visibility was improved compared to previous models, which was beneficial in various driving conditions.

However, rear-seat legroom in the Grand Cherokee was somewhat tight for taller adults, with hard plastic seatback trim not helping the comfort. While the three-row Grand Cherokee L offered more cargo capacity, the two-row version still managed a respectable 37.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Honda Passport’s infotainment system met basic modern standards but was due for an upgrade. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio across all trims. TrailSport trim included navigation, while the Elite trim boasted a 10-speaker premium sound system and WiFi hotspot capability. The system had some operational quirks, with a lack of a stereo tuning knob and a somewhat outdated navigation interface. Nevertheless, wireless smartphone charging was a notable inclusion.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse. It featured a comprehensive head-up display, a Night Vision system, and multiple interior touchscreens, all brought together by the next-generation Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Offering improvements in responsiveness and over-the-air updates, Uconnect 5 came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen in most trims, upgradable to 10.1 inches in higher trims. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and more.

Advanced options in the Grand Cherokee included a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. A unique feature was the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, offering entertainment and assistance to reduce driver distraction.

The 2022 Honda Passport equipped the standard Honda Sensing collection of driver aids but lacked the refinement found in many competitors. Adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist were standard. However, functions like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist were intrusive and often inspired drivers to turn them off. While the adaptive cruise control could be abrupt, the overall package was comprehensive if lacking in smoothness.

In terms of crash protection, the Passport performed well, with the NHTSA awarding it five stars in most categories. However, it earned four stars for front passenger protection in frontal impacts and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings in most respects but rated it only Acceptable for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee bolstered its safety profile with extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminum. The structure was more robust than before, and Jeep promised improved crash performance, although official ratings were pending. Advanced driver assistance systems included Active Driving Assist, providing semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.

New features like Intersection Collision Assist added further safety by warning drivers of oncoming vehicles at intersections. The system's effectiveness on less challenging driving roads was notable, with a hands-free version coming soon to allow for more autonomous driving under specific conditions.