2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade presented itself as an elegant and striking addition to Hyundai's lineup, having replaced the Santa Fe XL as the brand’s flagship SUV. It boasted a distinctive design with a prominent grille, sharp shoulder lines, and a tastefully designed tailgate. The Palisade featured a unique continuous strip of glass surfaces from the C-pillar around the tailgate to the opposite C-pillar, creating a floating rear roof effect and rendering the D-pillar invisible from the outside. LED taillights, expressive LED headlights, and LED accents contributed to the SUV's signature look. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels were standard on SE and SEL models, while higher trims like the Limited and Calligraphy models featured larger, more stylish wheels.

Inside, the Palisade’s interior was equally elegant and polished. Its horizontally arranged screen, available in varying sizes depending on the trim, complimented the high-quality materials and finishes throughout the cabin. The third row offered ample space for children or short rides for adults, while the second row provided options for either a bench seat or captain’s chairs. The fit and finish both inside and out approached near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a worthy flagship in Hyundai’s SUV lineup.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, on the other hand, maintained the brand’s classic and rugged aesthetic while incorporating more modern elements. The High Altitude package, included on our Hydro Blue example, featured a blacked-out grille, logos, and door handles, which paired well with the dark gray 21-inch wheels. The interior exhibited a mix of luxury and modernity with black leather, gold stitching, and a light walnut finish along the dash and doors. Though some materials, like the hard plastics on the lower dash, were not quite up to par with Mercedes, the overall feel of the cabin justified the Grand Cherokee L’s price.

Jeep also retained its iconic elements such as U-shaped fenders and a square greenhouse, while adding slim LED lighting and integrated exhaust tips for a cleaner, more contemporary look. The result was a visually appealing SUV that blended tradition and innovation effortlessly.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered solid performance with its naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 gasoline engine, which produced 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, although lacking turbocharging, employed gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing to enhance power and efficiency. Despite not leading its class in fuel efficiency, the Palisade struck a balance with its smooth power delivery and no-lag acceleration. The V6 engine's baritone rumble added to the driving experience, making it suitable for family use. With a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and a self-leveling suspension system on higher trims, the Palisade proved to be both powerful and versatile.

Conversely, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s standard V6 engine left much to be desired. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 struggled to deliver the necessary power, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which resulted in a groaning and unrefined performance. The sport mode, intended to improve throttle response, only highlighted the engine’s shortcomings. Towing capacity with the V6 was up to 6,200 pounds. However, potential buyers could opt for the more robust 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, along with a better towing capacity of 7,200 pounds.

Despite its engine woes, the Grand Cherokee L’s chassis provided confident handling, especially with the available air suspension that allowed for adjustable ride heights and improved cornering. The steering, while a bit slow, didn't significantly detract from the overall driving experience, making the Grand Cherokee L a competitive choice in its class.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in providing practical interior space and functionality suitable for a family-oriented SUV. The third row was easily accessible and comfortable for children, while the second-row captain’s chairs or optional bench seat ensured ample legroom and headroom. The Palisade's front row featured plenty of storage with dual compartments in the center console, a locking glove box, and additional bottle holders in the door panels.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Palisade offered 18.0 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which expanded to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat. Additional underfloor storage provided extra space, and roof rails enhanced the Palisade's carrying capacity.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L leveraged its added length to provide more cabin space, particularly benefiting second-row passengers. With standard second-row captain's chairs and an optional 60/40 bench seat, the Grand Cherokee L ensured flexibility and comfort. The third row, though power-folding, remained tight for adults but sufficient for children.

Comparing cargo capacities, the Grand Cherokee L offered 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, falling slightly short of the Palisade's maximum cargo volume. However, its versatile seating arrangements and abundant legroom made it an appealing option for larger families.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai’s technological prowess. The standard display system on SE and SEL models featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, whereas the Limited and Calligraphy models upgraded to a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with advanced audio options such as the Harman Kardon premium audio system. Features like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multiple USB ports spread across all rows, and a rear-view monitor with parking guidance added convenience and connectivity. The higher trims included a digital instrument cluster aligning with turn signal and blind-spot monitor cameras, providing a technologically rich driving experience.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L also offered an impressive tech suite. Lower trims featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the Limited and Overland came with a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen. Uconnect 5 ensured quick and user-friendly interactions but did suffer some legibility issues. The optional McIntosh sound system, multiple screens including a dedicated passenger screen, and night vision on Summit and Summit Reserve trims were standout amenities. However, the high level of technological integration, such as the inclusion of Amazon Fire TV, set the Grand Cherokee L apart from its rivals.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade earned high praise for its comprehensive array of safety features, both passive and active. It boasted seven airbags, three-point seat belts, active head restraints, and numerous driver assistance technologies including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade also achieved top ratings from the IIHS as a Top Safety Pick+ and earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L matched the Palisade in safety prowess, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, barring a four-star rating in rollover tests. Standard safety features included knee airbags, forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Additional options like front cross-traffic braking and night vision on higher trims enhanced safety but were not as universally available as in the Palisade.