2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Honda CR-V

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L adopted a sophisticated and recognizable look with its 11.4-inch extended body to incorporate a third row, making it visibly longer and more spacious than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. This elongation and the wider rear doors contributed to a robust and elegant appearance that overshadowed its shorter counterpart. Jeep's decision to launch the L model before the two-row version resulted in a design that made the standard Grand Cherokee seem incomplete.

This model proudly displayed quintessential Jeep design elements such as the seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end. Modernized lighting provided slimmer and brighter beams, and the attention to paint finish and panel fitting was noteworthy. Across all trims, from the base Laredo to the Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee L exuded elegance. Special touches on higher trims included black roofs, larger wheels, and chrome detailing. New paint colors like Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky enhanced its exterior appeal.

Inside, luxury was pervasive. Dual high-resolution screens, genuine wood, aluminum accents, quilted Nappa leather, a faux-suede roof, and a thoughtfully designed cabin layout elevated the experience. The interior's richness, akin to a Mercedes, underlined the vehicle's premium feel. Even with an all-black interior, the design details ensured comfort and visual engagement, while lighter leather options demanded extra care to maintain their pristine state.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V displayed a blend of a blunt nose, a long hood, and a stretched wheelbase, resulting in a more reserved yet modern look compared to its predecessor. Although it had less personality than the fifth-generation model, the new design was expected to age gracefully.

Both CR-V EX and EX-L trims sported 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, presenting a consistent aesthetic. Inside, the EX-L provided upscale leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob, surpassing the EX's standard cloth upholstery. The dashboard, modeled after the latest Civic, featured metal mesh trim that delineated the upper and lower sections, maintaining a clean and high-quality appearance. The interior boasted quality and simplicity, enriched by digital instrumentation displays and an option for a larger touchscreen infotainment system in the EX-L. The CR-V maintained a streamlined look with subtle yet effective improvements over previous models.

For the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, two engines were available: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. While Ram pickup trucks featured a 48-volt hybrid system, the Grand Cherokee did not, but a 4xe plug-in hybrid option stood out with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack, and two electric motors, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

In testing, the V6 engine proved underwhelming for such a heavy vehicle, mustering 293 horsepower with noticeable strain, especially when filled with passengers. The transmission's early upshifts and the insufficient power output led to frequent manual mode use. The V8, however, brought a robust 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, significantly enhancing performance.

Fuel economy figures for the V6 were reasonable at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 trailed with 14/22/17. Estimates for the 4xe plug-in hybrid were pending but expected to be competitive.

Despite the V6's shortcomings, the Grand Cherokee L's chassis shone. The ride was remarkably composed with direct steering, aided by an optional air suspension that adjusted effortlessly between comfort and firmness. This system allowed for different ride heights, enhancing both aerodynamic efficiency and off-road capability. With up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance in Off-road 2 mode, the Grand Cherokee L was versatile across varied terrains. Jeep's comprehensive driving modes adjusted numerous vehicle parameters to suit different environments, making the Grand Cherokee L adaptable, albeit more suited for on-road comfort than rugged trails. Towing capacity peaked at 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2023 Honda CR-V carried forward the familiar 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from its predecessor, producing 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. This power was channeled through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to either front or all four wheels.

While the turbo-four engine delivered sufficient power for a compact SUV, the CVT was less refined, especially during hard acceleration, emitting a noticeable "waaaaaah" sound that detracted from the otherwise satisfying driving experience. Despite this, the CR-V impressed with its well-tuned suspension, steering, and braking systems, offering a balanced, responsive ride. Honda achieved a harmonious blend of comfort and handling, maintaining stability over road imperfections and delivering a pleasant drive on winding roads.

Fuel economy was a strong suit, with the EPA rating the CR-V at 29 mpg in combined driving. Consistently matching or exceeding these figures, the CR-V demonstrated excellent efficiency for its class.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's interior featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and intuitive graphics. Physical controls for climate, seat adjustments, and stereo functions complemented the touchscreen, providing tactile feedback that enhanced usability. A central rotary shifter, wireless phone charging, and a spacious central cubby added to the functional design. Depending on the trim, the touchscreen varied from 8.4 inches on lower trims to 10.1 inches on higher trims, with some issues noted in legibility and interface speed.

Passenger space was abundant across all rows, and even the third row could comfortably accommodate adults. The second-row seating, available as captain's chairs or a split bench, enhanced flexibility. However, the air vents were undersized, necessitating high fan speeds that were quite loud. The Grand Cherokee L excelled in cargo capacity with a versatile seating arrangement and ample storage options.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda CR-V offered a comfortable yet intuitive interior. The driver's seat, although power-adjustable and heated, sat relatively low, providing a more car-like feel. The rear seats felt even more spacious, with a high seating position and plenty of legroom. However, taller passengers might find headroom tight, though recline options mitigated this.

Storage solutions in the CR-V were plentiful, with a sizable center bin, door panel trays, and a wireless charging pad area. The cargo area boasted 39.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet when folded. This space was enhanced by storage trays and hooks in the cargo area, catering to practical needs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came loaded with high-end features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision, and a 360-degree camera system. Its Active Driving Assist system provided impressive highway lane steering. The infotainment system, Uconnect 5, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and supported multiple devices.

New additions for 2022 included a 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch rear screens with Amazon Fire TV. Standard safety features were comprehensive, encompassing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Summit trims received additional technologies like a rear-facing camera for second and third-row monitoring and a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo system.

Conversely, the 2023 Honda CR-V, though not groundbreaking, offered significant technological improvements over its predecessor. All trims featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on EX trims, with larger 9-inch screens on EX-L trims. Features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a wireless charging pad were part of the EX-L package.

Higher technology features were reserved for the top-tier CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid, which included a Bose premium sound system and a comprehensive navigation system. Despite these limitations, the standard technological offerings met expectations, with efficient Bluetooth pairing and satisfactory sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS at the time but came equipped with a robust suite of safety features. Standard inclusions were knee airbags for both driver and passenger, rear seat alerts, trailer sway control, and a variety of driver assistance aids.

The 2023 Honda CR-V saw substantial improvements in its safety suite under the Honda Sensing umbrella. It included features like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Additional features such as a seatbelt reminder system, rear-seat reminder system, driver monitoring system, and traffic sign recognition added to its appeal. Despite some minor operational issues with the lane-centering assist, the CR-V's safety tech was competitive and comprehensive. Honda built the CR-V to advanced safety standards and anticipated top ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, although re-testing was necessary to confirm its crashworthiness.