2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

In 2022, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L made a grand entrance with its elongated body, stretching 11.4 inches longer than its two-row counterpart to make space for a third row of seats. The added length and wheelbase provided more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. Interestingly, Jeep initially unveiled the L version in 2021, making the standard Grand Cherokee seem truncated by comparison. The Grand Cherokee L maintained classic Jeep aesthetics with a seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end, but modernized these features with slimmer, brighter lighting and improved paint finish. High-end trims like Summit and Summit Reserve enhanced these looks with black roofs, larger wheels, and extra chrome. New paint colors for 2022 included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky. The interior was equally impressive, featuring dual high-resolution screens, real wood and aluminum accents, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, making the vehicle feel luxurious. Even in the base Laredo, the design was opulent, and the plush, contrasting interiors held their own when compared to luxury brands.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage sported a completely redesigned look that many described as somewhat French, akin to models from Renault, Peugeot, or even Citroen. This wasn't intended as criticism; the new Sportage looked striking and captivating. Notable features included bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights framing a distinctive grille, and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, adding a touch of class. The Sportage came in seven trims: LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. Inside, synthetic leather replaced natural leather for better durability and eco-friendliness, though base trims still featured cloth seats. While the materials felt a bit less luxurious than the Grand Cherokee L's, the Sportage's interior was still playful with a fantastic view from the driver’s seat, thanks to a large windshield and a low beltline. The dashboard on higher trims offered over two feet of display space, though it did feature more hard plastics and piano-black finishes that could attract fingerprints and be less premium in touch.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was available with either a 3.6-liter V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, or a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. There were rear-wheel and four-wheel drive options, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite being adequately powered, the V6 felt underwhelming for a vehicle of its size, requiring high revs to summon power, which manifested engine noise throughout the cabin. Conversely, the V8 provided a better performance experience, albeit with worse fuel economy. The 4xe plug-in hybrid option, which was unavailable during our test, promised a combined 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Cherokee L stood out for its agile chassis, responsive steering, and optional air suspension, which could adjust the ride height for various driving conditions. This flexibility made the SUV both a comfortable family hauler and a moderately capable off-roader, especially in its Trail-Rated Overland trim with the Off-Road Group option. Towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds with RWD to 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

In comparison, the 2023 Kia Sportage was powered by a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Although the engine was slightly larger and more powerful than its predecessor, the performance still felt less than brisk, especially at higher altitudes. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD model rated at 25 mpg city, 32 highway, and 28 combined, while the AWD model was slightly less efficient. Despite its lack of a turbocharged engine option, the Sportage’s X-Pro trims catered to off-road enthusiasts with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, specific drive modes for different terrains, and even impressive off-road prowess. While the Jeep boasted an extensive off-road system, the Sportage’s ground clearance of 8.3 inches and all-terrain tires made it more than capable for the average user’s off-pavement adventures.

Inside the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, practicality and elegance were evident. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system maintained Jeep’s reputation for straightforward and sleek graphics. Physical switches for climate and stereo controls provided user-friendly functionality, while a range of screen sizes—from an 8.4-inch touchscreen in the base models to a 10.1-inch in higher trims—offered customizable tech experiences. Spaciousness was a highlight, accommodating adults comfortably even in the third row. Second-row captain's chairs came standard, with a bench seat as an optional addon. However, the air vents could have been more effective in cooling the cabin evenly.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, built on a 7.1-inch longer frame than its predecessor, offered significantly improved interior space. Rear-seat legroom expanded to an impressive 41.3 inches, and the trunk provided 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space that extended to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Up front, storage included a typical cubby, cupholders, and a center console bin. However, the HVAC controls, rendered as dual-function touch-sensitive buttons, might have proved frustrating for some users due to their dual-natured interface that swapped between climate and navigation controls at a touch.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L aimed at luxury with its top trims featuring multiple massage modes for front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and an impressive 360-degree camera system. Upper trims also enjoyed a new optional 10.3-inch front passenger touchscreen display and rear-seat dual 10.1-inch touchscreens equipped with Amazon Fire TV. Standard tech also included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a rear-facing camera, among others. However, we found that some usability issues, such as occasional lag in the UConnect system, interfered with the experience.

On the other hand, the 2023 Kia Sportage impressed with its 12.3-inch touchscreen interface on EX trims and above, paired with a panoramic, curved 12.3-inch driver information display available from the SX trim level. It brought a premium look to the dashboard but fell short with its wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay implementation, even on higher trims, despite the base model offering wireless versions. Navigating through similar-looking icons could get tricky, requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road. Additionally, features like wireless charging, USB-C charging ports, and a Harman Kardon stereo system on higher trims made it tech-friendly, even though usability could have been simpler.

The safety offerings in the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L included numerous airbags, driver aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. However, crash test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of writing.

The 2023 Kia Sportage excelled in its collision-avoidance technology and advanced driver assistance systems, available as standard equipment. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and rear backup sensors, among others. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, and cruise control that leveled up to adaptive on the SX trim. Our top picks were the blind-view monitor and Highway Driving Assist on the SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims, providing enhanced safety features. However, like the Jeep, detailed crash test ratings weren’t yet available.