2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a longer version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, extending 11.4 inches to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase also stretched five inches, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. This extra 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 release of the two-row version until 2022. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving the paint finish and panel fit. 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, featuring 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, with lighter tan leather options requiring extra care to maintain cleanliness.

The 2023 Ford Bronco was available in nine distinct trim levels, all featuring a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable. The Base trim had a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim showcased a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The new Heritage trim added nostalgic elements like a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's styling was functional, with cleats above the headlights for securing cargo and raised "fins" for better driver visibility.

The Bronco's interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash and sealed switches and buttons for easy cleaning. Sturdy handholds and a grid-like mesh on the seat backs added to the practicality. The materials were designed for durability rather than luxury, with some creaking over bumps but quieter than a comparable Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco's interior space was abundant, especially in the four-door model, with easy access to the rear seats and plenty of storage options. The cargo space was generous, though the rear seats didn't fold flat, and the doors and fenders were easily removable for hardcore off-roaders.

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). 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 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, with engine noise pouring through the cabin under acceleration. The V8, available only on higher trims with 4WD, offered a healthier 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque and sounded fabulous.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with ride composure and steering feel that were incredibly taut and direct for a vehicle this large. The optional air suspension varied between soft and firm with the flick of a driving mode switch, and the five ride height settings allowed for up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. The driving modes modulated various systems for different terrains, making it a family vehicle optimized for on-road comfort. The maximum towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 with 4WD.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine in the Raptor trim with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for both on- and off-road adventures, while the 2.7-liter V6 was better suited for the heavier four-door model. The Raptor's EcoBoost engine provided excessive power, making it a thrilling choice.

The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV but more settled than a Jeep Wrangler. It tracked straight down the highway, and the interior was quieter than a Wrangler with a comparable roof. The high-riding dimensions and big all-terrain tires required more care on curving roads, but the Bronco felt more confident than expected. Maneuvering the four-door model was less stressful, thanks to several cameras. The Bronco's maximum towing capacity was not specified.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with straightforward graphics and physical switches for climate, seat climate 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 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 insufficient, requiring the fan to be kept on high.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, especially in the four-door model. The two-door model required some crawling to access the rear seats, while the four-door allowed for easier access. The front offered plenty of storage options, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for phones. The two-door Bronco had up to 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, while the four-door offered up to 35.6 cubic feet. The rear seats didn't fold flat, but the roof's mounting points could hold an overlanding platform and tent. The fenders and doors were easily removable for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims featured premium amenities like multiple massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. 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 2023 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities with G.O.A.T. drive modes, numerous camera views, and Trail Turn Assist. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Ford’s SYNC 4. Most Broncos came with an eight-inch touchscreen, but a 12-inch display was available. The Bronco's tech features made off-roading easier for novices and provided manual controls for seasoned off-roaders.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the four-door Bronco its best score of “Good” in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The Mid package added enhanced driver assistance features, while the High and Luxe packages added more advanced features.