2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Honda Passport

For those already familiar with Honda's design language, the 2022 Honda Passport likely struck a familiar chord. Its new styling was almost indistinguishable from the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck from the front doors forward, robustly asserting that they shared the same vehicle platform. This platform was also shared with the Honda Odyssey minivan and the Pilot three-row SUV, making the Passport essentially a shorter Pilot without the third-row seat and featuring different styling cues.

Honda endeavored to give the Passport a more assertive and rugged appearance, modifying the nose to imbue the SUV with extra attitude. Whether consumers felt Honda achieved this was subjective, but it certainly was a departure from the more subdued designs of the past. Honda applied this updated design to all three trim levels of the 2022 Passport: the base EX-L, the TrailSport, and the upscale Elite. The TrailSport was particularly noteworthy as it reflected Honda’s intent to cater to the off-road SUV market in future models.

The TrailSport trim, mid-level in the Passport lineup, was aimed at SUV enthusiasts looking for weekend adventures off the beaten path. The trim came equipped with features such as all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes suitable for snowy, muddy, and sandy conditions. However, the TrailSport’s off-road capabilities were more aesthetic than functional, aligning with the concept’s current iteration.

Our test model, featuring TrailSport trim and Sonic Gray Pearl paint, had an MSRP of $44,095. TrailSport boasted unique 18-inch wheels with all-season tires mimicking all-terrain ones, a functional-looking roof rack, simulated skid plates, and several other minor design modifications that made it look less like a family crossover and more like a rugged SUV.

Inside, the Passport offered one of the roomiest interiors in its segment. The quality of materials was generally high, and the orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim added a touch of flair. Embroidered emblems on the front seat headrests and rubber all-season floor mats further added to the robust aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L carried forward the iconic Jeep styling, initially cemented when the first Grand Cherokee burst through a glass wall at the 1992 Detroit auto show. The Grand Cherokee L extended the traditional formula, adding over a foot to the length without compromising on the classic tough yet upscale look.

Our Hydro Blue example came equipped with the High Altitude package, which blacked out the grille, logos, and door handle tops. Dark gray 21-inch wheels paired with black leather interiors and gold stitching, plus light walnut trim, added a sense of boldness. The U-shaped fenders, square greenhouse, and slim LED lighting exuded modernity while maintaining archetypal Jeep design elements.

Upper trims of the Grand Cherokee L didn't skimp on luxury, with materials that approached Mercedes-grade quality. The polished black dash, controlled with an optional hidden touchscreen and thick metal dial for the gear selector, along with toggle switches for driving modes and air suspension, contributed to the overall sense of refinement. The distinctive aluminum speaker grilles and diamond-patterned stitching on the seats added a classy touch, making it a compelling choice for buyers willing to spend more for additional luxuries.

Under the hood, the 2022 Honda Passport featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport came with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The engine was smooth and capable, delivering 22 mpg in combined driving with FWD. With the AWD system, this estimate dropped slightly to 21 mpg. During our testing, we averaged 21.3 mpg across various driving conditions.

For 2022, only the EX-L trim offered FWD, while both the TrailSport and Elite trims came standard with Honda's i-VTM4 AWD system. This system featured mechanical torque vectoring, capable of delivering up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel when needed, providing reassuring stability both on and off-road.

Though a Road Warrior rather than a rugged off-roader, the Passport fared surprisingly well off the pavement. It managed moderately challenging trails competently, despite some limitations in wheel articulation. On regular roads and highways, the Passport excelled in offering firm and communicative rides, impressive steering feel, and agility in tackling corners.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L presented a mixed bag in the performance department. The standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine generated 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque but felt inadequate due to its minivan-like attributes. The V6 was often deemed noisy and unrefined, particularly when subjected to the Grand Cherokee L’s Sport mode, which awkwardly adjusted throttle response and gear settings.

An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, significantly improved performance and towing capacity—7,200 pounds compared to the V6's 6,200 pounds. However, the penalty came with a substantial reduction in fuel efficiency: 14/22/17 mpg for the V8 versus 18/25/21 mpg for the V6 with 4x4 models.

The redeeming quality of the Grand Cherokee L was its chassis, which provided confident handling with an adaptive air suspension. The SUV felt sturdy in corners, eliminating excessive lean and head toss common in competitors. Though the steering could have been more responsive, the overall driving dynamics topped its class, save for specialized performance models from Mercedes-AMG and BMW M.

Jeep offered three 4WD systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each more sophisticated than the last. These systems, coupled with the Grand Cherokee L’s air suspension, allowed the SUV to boast an impressive 10.9 inches of ground clearance and sophisticated off-road capabilities—albeit much greater than what most buyers would ever need.

Getting in and out of the 2022 Honda Passport was a breeze, thanks to its large doors and relatively low step-in height. The front seats were roomy and comfortable, featuring inboard adjustable armrests and supportive bottom cushions. Leather upholstery and heated front seats were standard, while the Elite trim upped the luxury factor with ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.

The interior offered ample passenger space, with rear occupants enjoying ample legroom, headroom, and hip room. The large side windows made the rear seating area feel open and airy. Triple-zone automatic climate control ensured everyone stayed comfortable, though only the rear occupants in the Elite trim had separate temperature and fan-speed controls.

Storage solutions abounded within the Passport, including a massive center console storage bin, front door panel shelving, and rear door panel cupholders. Cargo space was equally generous, providing 41.2 cubic feet of volume behind the rear seats, expanding to 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down—making the Passport an excellent choice for those needing substantial cargo capacity.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended wheelbase, afforded more legroom for second-row passengers. It felt spacious enough, even with the first-row seats adjusted for a tall driver. Second-row captain’s chairs were standard, while only the Summit and Summit Reserve came with a center console featuring two tiers of storage and a four-zone climate system. Ventilated rear seats were exclusive to the Summit Reserve.

The third row operated with power-folding headrests but was manually controlled in the second row. Adults might find the third row tight, making it more suitable for children. The Grand Cherokee L provided 17 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, and up to 85 cubic feet with both rows folded—outclassing the Passport in maximum cargo capacity.

Visibility from the driver’s seat was commendable in the Grand Cherokee L. The infotainment system had its quirks, particularly in legibility, but the array of available tech features, including a night vision system, a passenger screen, and Amazon Fire TV streaming, set it apart in terms of innovative amenities.

The 2022 Honda Passport’s infotainment system was functional but due for an upgrade. Every trim level featured an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Passport Elite included a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services, complete with a WiFi hotspot.

Honda provided shortcut buttons alongside the display for easy navigation, but the absence of a stereo tuning knob was a minor inconvenience. During testing, Apple CarPlay proved more reliable than the native navigation system, which often required precise voice commands and yielded inconsistent results.

Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but overall, the Passport was technologically modest—something many buyers might find refreshing for its simplicity.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim level. Higher trims benefited from a 10-inch digital instrument panel and a full-screen navigation map. Running on Uconnect 5, the system was quick and user-friendly, despite some legibility issues. Specific apps, such as those for McIntosh sound system settings and 4x4 status, seemed gimmicky.

The sound systems varied, with the upper trims offering a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, which, despite its premium branding, lacked immersive sound from the rear speakers. The Grand Cherokee L also featured excellent night vision, semi-automated driving aids, extensive seat controls, and a superb passenger screen that activated only when a front passenger was seated.

Amazon Fire TV, accessible through the SUV’s LTE connection, was another noteworthy offering, ensuring that the Grand Cherokee L stood out technologically.

Honda Sensing equipped the 2022 Passport with a comprehensive suite of driver aids. These included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additionally, the Passport featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and a seatbelt reminder.

However, Honda Sensing's lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions were less refined, often resulting in drivers turning them off. The lane-departure warning system, for instance, shook the entire steering wheel when activated, while the lane-centering assist frequently adjusted steering in unwanted ways. Adaptive cruise control was also criticized for being too aggressive in braking when vehicles cut in front.

In crash tests, the Passport earned generally good ratings but fell short of perfection. It received five stars from the NHTSA in most categories, four stars for frontal passenger protection, and rollover resistance. The IIHS awarded it top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable score for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L achieved a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023, thanks to frame reinforcements that boosted its side-impact test scores. The NHTSA rated it five stars in all but the rollover test, where it scored four.

The Grand Cherokee L featured driver and passenger front knee airbags, forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control as standard. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras on higher trims. Night vision was limited to the Summit and Summit Reserve models, while Active Driving Assist was standard on Summit Reserve.