2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, adding 11.4 inches in length to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase was also stretched by five inches, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. This extra mass and larger rear end blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep introduced the L first as a 2021 model, delaying the release of the two-row version until 2022. The Grand Cherokee L was elegant and unmistakably a Jeep, featuring the iconic seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end. The lighting was modernized, and the paint finish and panel fit were significantly improved. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, with new exterior paint colors like Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The design and tactile quality were comparable to a Mercedes, despite not sharing any parts. The interior offered enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated, even in all-black. The lighter tan leather option was so refined that passengers might be asked to wipe their hands and feet before entering. The Grand Cherokee L was a properly luxurious vehicle.

The 2022 Ford Bronco featured attractive retro styling, a go-anywhere attitude, and a deep lineup of models, making it one of the most sought-after vehicles. The Bronco returned with two new range-topping models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades model was built for swamp trekking and deep water, equipped with an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven distinct trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Unfortunately, the 2022 models were already sold out. Buyers could choose between two-door or four-door body styles and a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, with options for a removable roof and a variety of paint choices.

All Broncos were designed with off-roading in mind, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height. The Bronco's utilitarian appearance included large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate, and modular construction for easy customization. The interior continued the utilitarian theme with sealed switches and buttons, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs in the floor. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific drive modes for different terrains. Despite its rugged look, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including a digital instrument panel, a large infotainment touchscreen, and advanced safety features.

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 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 paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

The V6 engine, producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, was found wanting in a vehicle this heavy. The engine noise was intrusive, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, was a better option, available only on the Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims with 4WD. Fuel economy for the V6 was decent at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17. The 4xe plug-in hybrid's estimates were not yet available.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with ride composure and steering feel that were incredibly taut and direct. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, varying from down-pillow soft to medium-firm memory foam. The driving modes modulated the throttle, transmission, axle lockers, torque split, suspension, and other systems. The Grand Cherokee L had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 with 4WD.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was mandatory for the V6 and optional for the four-cylinder. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case.

Both powertrains delivered ample power, with varying degrees of off-road prowess throughout the Bronco lineup. The Everglades model, tested on difficult terrain, handled deep-rutted muddy trails, deep water crossings, and steep rock climbs with ease. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were impressive, and it also performed well on pavement, with better steering and ride quality than the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco's ride was smoother, making it a better road trip companion.

Wind noise on the highway was a minor complaint, but the absence of tire howl on pavement contributed to the Bronco's overall excellence as a versatile vehicle.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and sharp interface. Physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions were easy to use, with a damped click. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered plenty of space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced long journeys, though the air vents were too small and the fan was loud.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its abundance of interior space. Headroom and legroom were ample, even for tall passengers. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but grab handles and side steps helped. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions and accessories, including stowable doors and removable fender flares.

Utility was enhanced with external hard mounting points, hidden anchors, and cleats for cargo straps and limb-lifter cables. These features made the Bronco a versatile and practical vehicle for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium 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, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen 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.

The 2022 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes added off-road confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. The forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist feature were particularly useful for off-road driving. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system had quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a wireless charging pad was available.

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, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's standard safety features included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three out of five stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests and its second-highest score of "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats.