2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was all about added length and elegance. The "L" stood for long, as this model was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. This extension accommodated a third row of seats, enhancing passenger capacity. The wheelbase also stretched an additional five inches, offering more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. Jeep harmonized the extra mass with the body so well that the Grand Cherokee L made its two-row counterpart seem incomplete by comparison. This was partly due to Jeep introducing the L first as a 2021 model and waiting almost a year to release the standard version in 2022.

Design-wise, the Grand Cherokee L remained undeniably a Jeep, featuring the brand's iconic seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end. While retaining its Jeep essence, the Grand Cherokee L modernized its lighting with slimmer, brighter fixtures, and massively improved paint finish and panel fit. Whether one opted for the base Laredo or the high-end Summit Reserve, each trim exuded a dignified presence. The upscale Summit and Summit Reserve models boasted black roofs, larger wheels, and extra chrome, making them particularly striking. For 2022, Jeep introduced three new exterior paint colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L aimed for luxury. It featured dual high-resolution screens, real wood, and aluminum accents. Quilted Nappa leather and faux-suede roofing amped up the plush feel. While it was about $20,000 more than a loaded Kia Telluride, the investment seemed justified given the Mercedes-like interior quality, even though it shared no actual parts with Mercedes. The attention to detail and material contrast, even in a black-themed interior, kept the atmosphere engaging. Options for lighter tan leather made it a case of elegance, albeit prompting extra caution from passengers to avoid getting it dirty.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, despite entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained an attractive and recognizable face. In contrast to competitors, Dodge eschewed faux ruggedness and oversized grilles, favoring a cleaner, almost car-like styling. Forward-leaning headlights and a large lower air intake gave the Durango presence without a gargantuan grille, and Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights added a distinctive touch to the rear.

The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models added unique but subtle styling details reminiscent of the Viper, such as a functional center air inlet, heat extractors, unique wheels, and a differentiated front fascia. While the Blacktop Package allowed non-SRT models to mimic the Hellcat's aggressive look, other trims featured options like the Hemi Orange appearance package, which introduced orange accents and stitching. Color variety received a boost with new additions like Frostbite, Night Moves, Red Oxide, and Triple Nickel.

Internally, the Durango didn't offer quite as much stylized flair. Lower trims featured standard materials suited to their price points, while higher trims like the Citadel introduced more luxurious elements like Nappa leather and heated seats. The SRT Hellcat stood out with its bold red leather upholstery, making no pretense of subtlety.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with two familiar engine options. The base engine was a 3.6-liter V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while a more robust 5.7-liter V8 offered 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. These engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). However, the much-talked-about 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, used in our test vehicle, felt underpowered for such a hefty SUV. It needed high revs to access its full 293 hp, and the torque lacked the punch required for confident driving, especially when the vehicle was fully loaded. The engine noise was particularly intrusive during acceleration, sounding wheezy and coarse. The transmission with its early upshifts compounded these issues, making the vehicle feel strained. The plug-in hybrid and V8 options promised better performance, with the V8 offering an invigorating 357 hp and a compelling sound. The V8 was only available on the higher trims including Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, all of which included 4WD as a standard or optional feature.

Fuel economy for the V6 was moderate, with an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The V8 was less efficient, achieving 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. Fuel economy ratings for the plug-in hybrid were yet to be released at that time.

Despite the powertrain inadequacies, the Grand Cherokee L's chassis stood out for its stellar ride composition and steering precision. The optional air suspension provided transformable comfort levels, varying between soft and firm with ease. Body roll, pitch, and dive were nearly eliminated, offering an exceptionally stable driving experience. The air springs featured five ride height settings that enhanced functionality, ranging from increased ground clearance for off-road driving to a lower height for easier entry and aerodynamic efficiency.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango offered diverse powertrains starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower (or 295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine was standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. The mid-level engine was a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 exclusive to the Durango R/T and optional for the Citadel, providing 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

Performance enthusiasts might have turned to the Durango SRT 392 with its 6.4-liter naturally-aspirated Hemi V8, offering 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. This allowed the SRT 392 to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds. The pinnacle of performance came with the Durango SRT Hellcat, equipped with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing a mammoth 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. This brought the zero to 60 mph time down to an astounding 3.5 seconds and the quarter-mile time to 11.5 seconds, making it almost unfathomably quick for a three-row SUV.

Our Hellcat test vehicle indeed delivered as promised, rapidly accelerating despite its size. The sizable dimensions felt less cumbersome compared to, say, the Ram 1500 TRX truck that had the same engine. While it was somewhat unwieldy on twisty roads, the Durango Hellcat excelled on highways, maintaining a formidable presence with minimal wind and tire noise. Performance tuning included adaptive damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, and effective Brembo brakes.

Jeep's approach to the 2022 Grand Cherokee L's interior was marked by simplicity and thoroughness. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was praised for its ease of use, featuring clear and sharp graphics. Physical switches for the climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions worked independently of the touchscreen, assisting ease of use. The rotary shifter was intuitive, and the spacious wireless charging pad and central cubby offered practical storage solutions.

Lower trims like Laredo and Altitude featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve received a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Some usability issues were cited, such as legibility concerns and occasional lag in the system. Despite these minor flaws, the overall ease of navigation and storage space impressed.

The Grand Cherokee L's interior space was significant across all rows, with even the third row adequately accommodating an average adult. It came standard with second-row captain's chairs, which could be swapped for a 60/40 split bench seat for a minor upcharge. Ample legroom, a panoramic sunroof, numerous USB ports, and user-friendly air vents were all highlighted. Yet, the air vents' perceived inadequacy in cooling the cabin uniformly was noted as a drawback.

When looking at cargo space, the Grand Cherokee L offered flexible options with its ability to configure the seating to suit varying cargo needs.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard trims featuring a three-seat second-row bench. Higher trims like the Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat came with second-row captain's chairs. Interior space compared favorably with its midsize rivals like the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Hyundai Palisade, and Toyota Highlander, although the Traverse offered more cargo volume.

The Durango's cargo capacity was measured at 17.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and 85.1 cubic feet with the second row also folded down. While it had generous small-item storage and well-placed USB ports, the absence of a power-folding third row was an inconvenience, especially for more luxurious trims.

In terms of towing capacity, the Durango had impressive stats, with 6,200 pounds for V6 models and up to 8,700 pounds for V8 models, surpassing the Grand Cherokee L's maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds for 4WD models.

Upper trims of the 2022 Grand Cherokee L were replete with upscale tech features. The 16-way power-adjustable front seats with multiple massage modes, head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and a crystal-clear 360-degree camera system added top-tier luxury. The Active Driving Assist system demonstrated excellent performance in steering the Jeep on marked highway lanes.

For 2022, Jeep introduced various new tech enhancements, including an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen ahead of the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for the rear seats. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims featured additional tech like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitor. The premium 19-speaker McIntosh stereo on the Summit Reserve delivered quality sound, although Jeep's larger Grand Wagoneer had an even better system.

The 2023 Dodge Durango's tech offering varied by trim. SXT and GT models had an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Citadel and SRT models benefited from a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen with the newer Uconnect 5 system. The Uconnect infotaiment system was responsive and user-friendly in our tests, even incorporating fun Easter Eggs for SRT models like burnout-themed animations and racing helmets in the climate control menu.

Unique to SRT models were the Performance Pages app, which provided extensive performance data such as g-force meters and timers. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had yet to be 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, rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Dodge Durango had a mixed safety rating record. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests but four stars for frontal crash tests and RWD rollover tests. AWD models scored three stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it top "Good" marks in moderate front overlap, side tests, and roof strength but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test.

However, the Durango lagged in standard driver-assist technology. While blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard across all trims, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking were only standard on the Citadel and optional on other trims. Lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control were also limited to the Citadel trim and weren’t available on the base SXT model.