2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an elegant extension of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, stretching 11.4 inches longer to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase was extended by five inches, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. The additional length and mass blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep's design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches, were modernized with slimmer, brighter lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, with new exterior paint colors like Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The interior of the 2022 model was luxurious, featuring dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The layout and materials felt premium, reminiscent of a Mercedes without sharing any parts. Even in all-black, the interior offered enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated. The lighter tan leather option added a touch of luxury, making it a space where passengers would be mindful of cleanliness.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L continued the legacy of its predecessors, maintaining the classic style while extending the length by more than a foot. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured blacked-out grille, logos, and door handles, complemented by dark gray 21-inch wheels and black leather with gold stitching. The U-shaped fenders and square greenhouse were quintessential Jeep, while modern elements like slim LED lighting and body-color bumpers with integrated exhaust tips added a contemporary touch. The interior of upper trims was impressive, with polished black dash, thick metal dial for the gear selector, and diamond-patterned stitching on the seats and door panels. The aluminum speaker grilles added to the classy feel, making it a luxurious space for those willing to spend more.

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 V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, was found wanting in a vehicle of this size, requiring high revs and producing noticeable engine noise. The V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was a better option, especially for towing, with a maximum capacity of 7,200 pounds for 4WD models. Fuel economy for the V6 was decent at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17.

The chassis of the 2022 model was stellar, offering ride composure and steering feel that were incredibly taut and direct for a vehicle of this size. The optional air suspension provided a range of settings, from down-pillow soft to medium-firm memory foam, with five ride height settings for various driving conditions. The Grand Cherokee L handled well on rough roads, with approach and breakover angles that were commendable, though it was optimized for on-road comfort.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L retained the same 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it was still considered underpowered for the heavy SUV. The sport mode improved throttle response but did not allow the transmission to upshift to top gear in regular driving. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended, especially for towing, with a maximum capacity of 7,200 pounds. Fuel economy for the V6 was the same as the 2022 model, while the V8 also retained its lower ratings.

The chassis of the 2023 model was solid and stiff, providing confident handling. The air suspension allowed the vehicle to whisk through corners without excessive lean, while the ride remained pliable. The steering could have been quicker, but the overall handling topped the class. Jeep offered three 4WD systems, with the most sophisticated being Quadra-Drive II, which included a low-range transfer case and a limited-slip differential. The air suspension provided five height settings, with a maximum ground clearance of 10.9 inches, making it a tough SUV for most buyers.

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 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 ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat as an option. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's added length provided more legroom for second-row passengers, with captain's chairs standard on all trims. The Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured a center console with two tiers of storage, four-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The third row power-folded up and down, while the second row was manual. The cargo space was generous, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded. The infotainment system had legibility issues, but the overall space and functionality were top-notch.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of high-end features, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and a crystal-clear 360-degree camera system. The Active Driving Assist system provided semi-automated control on marked highways. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers, equipped with Amazon Fire TV. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors were standard.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L continued to offer advanced technology, with the Laredo and Altitude trims featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel. Higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen and navigation that showed full-screen maps on the instrument panel. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was available as a standalone option on upper trims. Night vision and Active Driving Assist were also available, with the latter providing semi-automated control on marked highways. The passenger screen in the dash was a standout feature, allowing the front passenger to control navigation, activate cameras, and stream content independently from the rear entertainment system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet 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 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L scored a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023, when Jeep reinforced the frame for better side-impact test results. It also scored five stars in every NHTSA test except for rollover, in which it scored four stars. Standard safety features included driver and passenger front knee airbags, forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras.