2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L represented a significant leap in design compared to its predecessors. The "L" in its name stands for "long," emphasizing its extended size to accommodate a third row of seats. It was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, a strategic design choice by Jeep. This increase in length, combined with a stretched wheelbase of five inches, contributed to more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The design was so well-proportioned that it made the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated.

A hallmark of the Grand Cherokee L's design was its retained Jeep DNA, with traditional elements like the seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end. However, modern touches like slimmer, brighter lighting enhanced its look. Across the trim levels—from the base Laredo to the high-end Summit Reserve—the Grand Cherokee L looked impressive, regardless of the configuration. For 2022, Jeep introduced new exterior colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L pushed boundaries with materials such as real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather. With dual high-resolution screens, a faux-suede roof, and a meticulous interior layout, it exuded a premium feel. Opting for the lighter tan leather added a touch of elegance, providing a remarkable contrast that could make even the most mundane journey enjoyable.

Conversely, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe's design leaned towards a more conservative aesthetic. Yet, it remained an attractive SUV, despite not having the standout looks of some other Hyundai models. For this model year, the Santa Fe continued with the same design as the 2022 model, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. While front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) remained an option across all trims.

Our test model was the top-tier Calligraphy AWD trim, adorned in Stormy Sea paint—a deep, rich blue—paired with a black-on-black interior. The Santa Fe’s most distinctive exterior elements were its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, though these features quickly normalized towards the rear.

Inside, the Calligraphy trim presented a high-quality, albeit monotone, black interior. Nappa leather seats were both comfortable and visually appealing, with heated and cooled front seats enhancing the comfort factor. While a beige interior option would have added visual contrast, the black interior still offered a premium feel. The Santa Fe also excelled in practicality and utility, a bit more suited for everyday functionality compared to the Jeep.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L came with two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid 4xe was another option, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3 kWh battery pack, delivering an impressive 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.

Our test vehicle housed the V6 engine, which resulted in an underwhelming experience, especially for a vehicle of this size. With 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, the engine required high revs to perform adequately, rendering it insufficient with a full load of passengers. Notably, engine noise intruded into the cabin under acceleration.

Opting for the V8 provided a more satisfying drive with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, though it was only available on higher trims and with 4WD. Fuel economy was another consideration: the V6 offered an EPA-estimated 18/25/21 mpg (city/highway/combined), whereas the V8 fared worse at 14/22/17 mpg.

Despite the engine shortcomings, the Grand Cherokee L’s chassis shone with stellar ride composure and steering precision. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. Additionally, the Grand Cherokee L had a maximum towing capacity ranging from 6,200 pounds (RWD) to 7,200 pounds (4WD).

The 2023 Santa Fe offered flexibility with its 2.5-liter engine available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. The base engine, producing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, was paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. Limited and Calligraphy trims benefited from a turbocharger, boosting performance to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. This turbocharged version utilized a “wet” dual-clutch eight-speed transmission.

Driving the turbocharged Santa Fe was a significantly better experience compared to the non-turbo version. Acceleration felt immediate, with no noticeable turbo lag, making tasks like passing and merging seamless. Moreover, the drivetrain managed to remain quiet and smooth even during spirited driving.

Despite not taking the Santa Fe off-road, it was reassuring to know that the AWD system and various drive modes, including Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart, were available. Towing capacity varied: models with the base engine could tow up to 2,000 pounds, while the turbocharged versions managed 3,500 pounds.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee L emphasized simplicity and straightforwardness with its Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which had long been an industry favorite for its intuitive interface. The system spanned 8.4 inches in lower trims and extended up to 10.1 inches in higher trims. Physical switches separated crucial controls from the touchscreen, offering a tactile, user-friendly experience.

One of the powerful aspects of the Grand Cherokee L was its spacious interior. The third row was accommodating enough for adults on shorter trips, while the second-row captain’s chairs provided ample comfort. The vehicle's overall cargo capacity stood out, with up to 84.6 cubic feet when both the second and third rows were folded down. However, HVAC performance was an issue, as the vents struggled to distribute airflow adequately.

The 2023 Santa Fe bucked the trend of cramming in a third row, capitalizing on the space to offer more generous rear-seat legroom and additional cargo capacity. It provided 36.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and expanded to 72.1 cubic feet with them folded, putting it among the leaders in its class.

Rear passengers enjoyed 41.7 inches of legroom, a testament to Hyundai’s smart interior design. Comfort and convenience features were abundant, including heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a vast panoramic sunroof. Despite some ergonomic issues, like the high driver’s seat position or the wide center console impeding leg space, the Santa Fe offered a thoughtfully designed, functional cabin.

The Grand Cherokee L was packed with advanced technology, especially in upper trims. Key features included 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and a highly detailed 360-degree camera system. The Active Driving Assist added a semi-autonomous driving experience on marked highways.

New for 2022, the Grand Cherokee L offered an optional 10.3-inch passenger display and dual 10.1-inch rear-seat touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV. Standard tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a robust audio system, with the Summit Reserve boasting a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.

In contrast, the 2023 Santa Fe prioritized accessible technology across its trims, with a standard 4.2-inch color LCD multi-information display in lower trims and a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in the Calligraphy and Limited trims. Lower trims featured an 8-inch display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

Despite issues with voice recognition, the Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical home screen icons and extensive customization options. Features like wireless device charging and Bluelink connected services rounded out the tech offerings.

Safety was a priority for the 2022 Grand Cherokee L, although it had yet to undergo testing 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 like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

The 2023 Santa Fe excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features were abundant, ranging from forward-collision warning to a safe-exit system and a rear-seat reminder. Higher trims added highway driving assistance, making the Santa Fe a standout in safety.