2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, adding 11.4 inches to accommodate a third row of seats. This extension also included a five-inch longer wheelbase, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. The additional length and mass blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep introduced the L first as a 2021 model, delaying the two-row version until 2022, which contributed to this perception.

The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches, but modernized the lighting and improved the paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing their visual appeal. New exterior paint colors for 2022 included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky. Inside, the Grand Cherokee L offered luxurious materials like real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather, making it feel like a high-end vehicle. The interior design and tactile quality were reminiscent of a Mercedes, providing a comfortable and visually stimulating environment for passengers.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, including updates to the grille surround, front and rear bumper styling, and new wheel designs and paint colors. The limited-production RDX PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The PMC Edition was named after the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, where Acura built the NSX sports car, and it topped the 2022 RDX lineup, which included the base model and various option packages.

Our test vehicle was equipped with the new-for-2022 A-Spec Advance package, featuring extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior. Priced at $53,645, the RDX A-Spec Advance justified its cost with high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter cabin. While the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia were not universally loved, the RDX still demonstrated more style than many of its competitors. The driving dynamics, comfortable seats, and thick steering wheel made the RDX enjoyable to drive in various situations, though it did not qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). A 48-volt hybrid system was available on Ram pickup trucks but not on the Grand Cherokee. However, the 4xe plug-in hybrid, which paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, provided emissions-free 4WD with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Our test vehicle had the V6 engine, which produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. However, the V6 felt underpowered for the Grand Cherokee L's weight, requiring high revs to summon power and producing noticeable engine noise. The transmission's early upshifts did not help, and while Sport mode kept the revs high, it never allowed them to settle. The V8, available only on higher trims, offered a healthier 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. Fuel economy for the V6 was decent at an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17. Estimates for the 4xe plug-in hybrid were not yet available.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was a standout feature, offering stellar ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided adjustable ride height settings, ranging from a lower Access height for easy entry and exit to higher off-road modes with up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. The driving modes, similar to Land Rover's, allowed the driver to select the desired terrain, and the vehicle adjusted various systems accordingly. The Grand Cherokee L's maximum towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This engine provided quick acceleration and enjoyable driving dynamics, though heavy-footed driving reduced fuel economy from the EPA rating of 23 mpg to an average of 20.6 mpg during testing. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, offering smooth and responsive performance.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on the base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This torque-vectoring AWD system could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance. The SH-AWD system was also available as an option on the base, Technology, and Advance packages.

For 2022, Acura revised the RDX's Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) to provide more distinct differences between driving modes and re-tuned the adaptive-damping suspension for a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX also benefited from improved sound insulation and Active Sound Control enhancements, resulting in a quieter cabin. The RDX's driving dynamics, comfortable seats, and thick steering wheel made it enjoyable to drive in various situations, though it did not qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered plenty of space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced the cabin experience, though the air vents were insufficient for proper airflow. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measures 17.2 cubic feet, on par with other three-row midsize SUVs. Fold the third-row seat down, and the Grand Cherokee L can accommodate 46.9 cubic feet of cargo, while will all rear seats folded there's 84.6 cubic feet of space.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof. The interior emphasized a sporty driving position and featured a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard. However, the control layout required a learning curve, with transmission buttons and the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system control pad being unconventional.

The RDX's standard 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation. The new thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel was pleasant to hold and available with a heated rim. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, and Iconic Drive ambient lighting was available on higher trims. The back seat, however, was less comfortable, with a flat and unsupportive design. The RDX featured a standard power liftgate with available hands-free operation, providing 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of high-end features on upper trims, including 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, providing a zoomed-in view of upcoming turns. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and two phones could be connected simultaneously.

New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which paired a 10.2-inch display screen with a sectioned touchpad controller. The TTI required a learning curve, as it involved matching finger location on the touchpad with the cursor location on the screen. However, the RDX also included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad, reducing the need to use the TTI.

Standard features included satellite radio and AcuraLink connected services with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Technology package and higher trims added a navigation system. Three premium sound systems were available: a nine-speaker setup in the base RDX, a 12-speaker system by ELS Studio in the Technology package, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system in higher trims. The Advance and A-Spec Advance packages also included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades to improve side-impact safety, aiming to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though ratings for the 2022 model were not yet available. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder system, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The RDX received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings and five-star side-impact ratings.