2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a testament to smart design. Its "L" designation meant the vehicle was 11.4 inches longer than its two-row counterpart to accommodate a third row of seats. This extended length and its five-inch longer wheelbase provided more legroom for the second row and incorporated wider rear doors, contributing to its luxury feel. Jeep's engineers seamlessly integrated the extra mass and extended rear end, making the L model look cohesive rather than overburdened. The graceful lines and Jeep's commitment to its hallmark seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end ensured the Grand Cherokee L remained elegant and distinctly Jeep.

In 2022, the extra touches, like modernized lighting and flawless paint jobs, attracted attention across all trims. Even the base Laredo looked impressive, while the Summit and Summit Reserve trims introduced black roofs, larger wheels, and chrome accents to enhance their upscale appeal. Newly introduced exterior colors such as Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky added a refreshing palette option for discerning buyers.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L rivaled luxury brands. Premium materials, like quilted Nappa leather, real wood, aluminum, and faux-suede roof liners, coupled with dual high-resolution screens, elevated the vehicle’s interior to a class above. The elegant and tactile design catered to those looking for a high-quality, sophisticated interior experience.

Comparatively, the 2023 Lexus GX had a visual presence that made it hard to ignore. Its large spindle grille paired with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and an overall height of 74.2 inches (slightly lower in the Luxury trim) exuded a robust stance. The towering front end, ready to dominate the road, was framed by substantial headlights that characterized the GX’s strong personality.

The 2023 GX Black Line Special Edition returned with a limited run of 3,000 units, offering exclusivity in colors such as Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and a unique Nori Green Pearl.

Moving along its side, the GX’s 109.8-inch wheelbase felt surprisingly short, making it more adapted to off-road scenarios despite its luxury badge. The chunky fender flares and relatively low overhangs hinted at its off-road prowess. Although bulkier in design, it maintained sleekness, a departure from Toyota’s more recent, blocky aesthetic choices. From the driver’s perspective, the hood dropped away sooner than in vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner or Tundra, making it easier to handle in technically challenging conditions.

However, inside the Lexus GX, the abundance of plastic materials detracted from its luxury status. Despite the high price tag, the interior’s use of lower-quality reserves was a result of its stagnant sales, necessitating cheaper manufacturing processes. Yet, the interior was not devoid of comfort. Optional features included heated and cooled seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and high-grade leather upholstery that delivered a touch of luxury amidst the cost-saving measures.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine and a 5.7-liter V8, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). Unlike its Ram truck cousins, the Grand Cherokee did not feature a hybrid system on these engines quite yet. However, the 4xe plug-in hybrid made strides with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque thanks to its 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and electric motors.

Testing with the V6 engine revealed some limitations. With 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the V6 struggled under the weight of a fully loaded Grand Cherokee L. Engine noise infiltrated the cabin under acceleration, revealing its lack of refinement and power. The eight-speed transmission’s tendency for early upshifts further hindered performance. Conversely, the V8 exhibited a resonant growl and potent performance with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, but at a cost of lower fuel efficiency—EPA rated it at just 14 mpg city, 22 highway, and 17 combined, compared to the V6’s 18/25/21 ratings.

Despite its powertrain limitations, the Grand Cherokee L’s chassis dazzled with controlled and composed driving dynamics, notably enhanced by the optional air suspension. With five ride height settings, off-road enthusiasts could adjust for up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. Jeep’s driving modes, akin to Land Rover’s, allowed drivers to tailor the vehicle's handling to various terrains effortlessly.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Lexus GX’s signature feature was its naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, managed by a six-speed automatic transmission. While not astonishing on paper compared to modern turbocharged variants, the V8 delivered a linear surge of power and an auditory thrill that appealed to traditionalists. Its towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and a weight of over 5,000 pounds meant that the GX was adept but not exceptional in towing performance.

Fuel economy suffered in comparison to other modern SUVs, with an EPA rating of only 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX’s substantial weight contributed to pronounced body roll in corners, though it remained predictable and controllable with stock equipment. Improved driving dynamics over the years ensured communicable road feel, but vague steering off-center was a minor drawback in an otherwise capable on-road experience. The brakes proved robust and reliable in emergency stops, further enhancing safety.

Featuring a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential, the GX’s 4WD system adeptly managed changing traction conditions. Its real 4WD with low range and locking center differential, coupled with advanced driving aids like downhill assist and hill-start assist, made it a formidable off-roader. Lexus' Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) promoted stability in varying conditions, and the Off-Road Package introduced practical features for tackling tougher terrains.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L paired robust functionality with simplicity in its Uconnect 5 infotainment system. This longstanding favorite catered to user experience with clear, sleek graphics and fast responses. Crucial controls for climate and audio were physical switches, intuitive to use with satisfying tactile feedback. The layout, including an easily adaptable central rotary shifter and ample storage spaces, showcased practical luxury.

The Grand Cherokee L’s cabin offered generous space with room for six passengers in standard or seven with the optional second-row bench seat. Even the third row accommodated average-sized adults comfortably for longer rides. Panoramic roofs, USB ports in every row, and large windows contributed to the comfort, though the air vents lacked sufficient airflow, resulting in a noisy fan when trying to cool the cabin.

Cargo capacity was ample, aligning with the Grand Cherokee’s practical ethos. Specific measurements weren’t provided but were implied to be spacious enough for regular family use.

Conversely, the 2023 Lexus GX had thoughtful small-item storage solutions, with a large center console bin, phone storage ahead of the shifter, and well-placed cupholders. However, its lack of USB-C ports limited modern device compatibility. Sticking to hard buttons over haptic-touch controls provided a refreshing user experience for less tech-savvy users, despite the abundance of physical buttons that required familiarization.

Innovative features like an adjustable center console lid allowed customization for driver and passenger comfort, while the second-row provided excellent headroom and adequate legroom. Captain's chairs with fold-out cupholders added convenience, though the third row was tighter and better suited for occasional use.

Opening the cargo door was cumbersome with its side-hinged design, requiring physical effort and space behind the vehicle. The GX’s cargo space was limited behind the third row to 11.6 cubic feet, expanding to 46.7 cubic feet with the third row down and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. Comparatively, a compact SUV like the Toyota RAV4 offered more cargo volume, making the GX’s storage capacity less impressive.

For the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, upper trims boasted tech features comparable to premium brands, such as multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and an advanced 360-degree camera system. Active Driving Assist on higher trims facilitated autonomous-like highway driving, and the integration of navigation with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided seamless transition between systems. An optional 10.3-inch display for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers underscored Jeep's dedication to cutting-edge tech.

Standard safety features were comprehensive, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Summit trims added more advanced tech like automatic parking and driver attention monitoring.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX’s infotainment updates for 2022 already felt dated, particularly against newer Lexus models. The 10.3-inch touchscreen improved readability and ease of use, integrating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, it lagged behind in graphics and responsiveness compared to competitors. Lexus Enform Remote allowed remote start via smartphone, and the standard 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo added premium sound, albeit paired awkwardly with an outdated CD player.

Off-road tech starred in the GX, with its real 4WD system, two-speed transfer case, and supportive features like downhill assist and hill-start assist. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and optional Off-Road Package enhanced off-road capability with advanced monitors and protective features, highlighting the GX’s rugged utility over its infotainment shortcomings.

The safety reputations for both vehicles remained uncrash-tested by the major agencies. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had yet to be evaluated by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it boasted standard safety features like driver and passenger knee airbags, rear seat alerts, trailer sway control, and various advanced driver aids.

Similarly, the 2023 Lexus GX also lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with its structure dating back to 2010. Despite this, Lexus’s commitment to safety included adaptable systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams, showcasing newer brains in an older body.