2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, adding 11.4 inches to accommodate a third row of seats. This extension also included a five-inch longer wheelbase, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. The additional length and mass were seamlessly integrated into the design, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep's decision to release the L model first in 2021, followed by the two-row version in 2022, contributed to this perception.

The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's iconic design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving the paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing the vehicle's elegance. The interior featured luxurious materials like real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather, making it feel like a high-end vehicle. The attention to detail and contrast in the interior design ensured a comfortable and visually stimulating experience for passengers.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, and a cabin positioned toward the rear wheels, embodying Mazda's signature subtle seductiveness. However, it also introduced a rugged aesthetic with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body and wheel arch cladding, and fake skid plates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance-oriented look without being visually offensive.

The CX-50's design elements, including the standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, created an appealing exterior. The upcoming CX-50 Meridian Edition promised exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform for a rooftop tent. The vehicle offered two engine options: a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder for the 2.5 S model and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder for the 2.5 Turbo variants, producing up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, priced at $43,170, featured a stylish interior with black leather and caramel-colored accent stitching, quality materials, and a driver-focused design.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: 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). While a 48-volt hybrid system was available on Ram pickup trucks, it was not offered for the Grand Cherokee. However, the 4xe plug-in hybrid, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, provided 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.

The V6 engine, producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, was found to be insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was noticeable, and the transmission's early upshifts did not complement the engine's performance. The V8, with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, offered a more satisfying driving experience. Fuel economy for the V6 was estimated at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 14/22/17. The 4xe plug-in hybrid's fuel economy estimates were not available.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was praised for its ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided adjustable ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The vehicle's driving modes, similar to Land Rover's, allowed for terrain-specific adjustments. The Grand Cherokee L had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options: a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the 2.5 S model and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the 2.5 Turbo variants, producing up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was expected to return 27 mpg in combined driving, while the turbocharged engine was estimated to achieve 25 mpg. However, real-world testing showed an average of 23.4 mpg for the turbocharged engine.

The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration with minimal turbo lag, and its driving modes (Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing) worked with the G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology to ensure consistent vehicle behavior. The ride quality was slightly firmer compared to the CX-5, and there was a hint of torque steer during tight turns. The CX-50's ground clearance of 8.6 inches made it capable of handling off-road situations, though it lacked a downhill assist control system. The vehicle's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it performed well on flat highways, though it might struggle on mountain grades.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and sharp interface. Physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions were easy to use and provided a satisfying tactile experience. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. The panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the overall comfort, though the air vents were found to be insufficient in directing airflow.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior featured power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. The ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were effective in maintaining cabin comfort. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could benefit from more side bolstering. The rear seat was spacious, with rear air vents and charging ports available on most trims. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, making entry and exit easier.

Storage space in the CX-50 was adequate, though some opportunities for additional storage were missed. The available smartphone charger was conveniently located under the center armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, with a maximum of 56.3 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. The load floor was long but narrow between the wheel wells, and side bins and hooks provided additional storage options.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of advanced features, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, and two phones could be connected simultaneously. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition were available on higher trims.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S model had an 8.8-inch display, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect historically lacked touchscreen control, but the 2023 CX-50 allowed touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display (head-up display) projected important information within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings. The CX-50's user interface was sometimes frustrating, and the screen's distant placement made it less convenient to use.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not 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 assistance systems.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 had not yet been tested by the IIHS, but Mazda's vehicles typically rated high for safety. The CX-50 came with a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control system had some issues recognizing slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead, but overall, the driving assistance systems worked well.