2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Toyota Venza

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 extended by five inches, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. The additional mass and extended rear 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 from any angle, 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. All trim levels, from the base Laredo to the loaded Summit Reserve, looked impressive. High-end trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. For 2022, Jeep added new exterior paint colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Toyota had previously attempted the Venza from 2009 to 2015, but it faded without much fanfare. The Venza re-emerged for the 2021 model year on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform, shared with models like the Avalon, Camry, Highlander, RAV4, and Sienna, as well as the Lexus ES, NX, and RX. The Venza measured 186.6 inches in length, 73.0 inches in width, and 65.9 inches in height, with a 105.9-inch wheelbase and 7.8 inches of ground clearance, placing it at the shorter end of the midsize crossover SUV segment.

The Venza had excellent proportions and a modern exterior design that could easily fit into the Lexus lineup. Its most striking feature was a deeply scalloped body side that bulged to form the rear fender, emphasizing power. The tailgate featured a horizontal stripe of LED lighting, and the prominent nose gave it a unique look. The Venza's design was more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures.

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 was a superior option, pairing 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 test vehicle had the V6 engine, which felt underpowered for a vehicle of this size. The 293 horsepower required high revs, and the 260 lb-ft of torque was insufficient, especially when the vehicle was fully loaded. The engine noise was intrusive, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, was a better option, available only on higher 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 worse at 14/22/17. Estimates for the 4xe plug-in hybrid were not yet available.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both comfort and off-road capability. The vehicle handled well on rough roads, but it was optimized for on-road comfort. The maximum towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency and performance. Drivers could choose electric-only (EV) mode for short distances or select among Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, with the main charge coming from the gas engine.

The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, feeling maneuverable thanks to its shared wheelbase with the Camry. The taller body and higher ground clearance didn't encourage aggressive cornering, but the Venza was designed as a midsize family hauler, delivering a comfortable and predictable ride.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The interface was sleeker and sharper, with physical switches for climate, seat controls, and stereo functions. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with 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 ample 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 multiple USB ports enhanced comfort, though the air vents were insufficient, requiring the fan to be kept on high.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with bucket seats in the front and a 60/40-split folding second-row bench. Both rows offered good headroom and legroom, with 45.2 inches of hip room in the second row. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof. Convenience features included an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat. The Venza had ample storage, including a large glove compartment, four cupholders, and four bottle holders. The lithium-ion battery pack under the second-row seats had minimal impact on cargo capacity, offering 28.8 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The cabin was designed to be quiet, with extensive sound-blocking and absorbing materials.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered numerous 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, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. New for 2022 were optional 10.3-inch and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens 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 Summit trims added automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain that required no special attention, making it ideal for those without access to charging infrastructure. The Venza's hybrid system was transparent in operation, with a tank of gas yielding over 500 miles. The Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program used navigation data to optimize battery charging. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and compatibility with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and intelligent touch-capacitive controls. Both setups included Toyota Connected Services, with various trials for Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect. An Advanced Technology Package for the Limited trim included a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not 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 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, including stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It also had eight airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, and LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) group of driver aids included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.