2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L took the standard model's design and elevated it with increased length and additional features. An 11.4-inch extension meant it could accommodate a third row, essentially elongating its wheelbase by five inches for enhanced second-row legroom and wider rear doors. This additional length and extra mass blended discreetly and elegantly into the bodywork, making the standard two-row Grand Cherokee appear stubby in comparison. This seamless design was partially a result of Jeep's decision to launch the L first in 2021, nearly a year before releasing the two-row 2022 model.

The increased size didn't compromise its elegance or its Jeep DNA. The seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end ensured it retained its recognizable Jeep styling. Updates like slimmer and brighter lighting, improved paint finish, and panel fit added a modern touch. The high-end trims like Summit and Summit Reserve, featuring black roofs, larger wheels, and additional chrome, added to its luxurious appeal. The new exterior paint colors for 2022 – Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky – further diversified its road presence.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L went beyond expectations. The price premium over competitors like the Kia Telluride seemed justified with interior features that exuded luxury. Dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum trim, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof delivered an interior feel akin to high-end European models like Mercedes. Even with an all-black interior, the detailed design elements offered enough contrast to keep the space visually appealing. Opting for lighter tan leather added an extra layer of luxury, demanding a step extra in care from passengers to maintain its pristine look.

The 2023 Subaru Forester retained its functional aesthetics, reminiscent of Foresters from the past two decades. The Cascade Green Silica color made it nearly indistinguishable from its predecessors, making it a familiar presence on the road.

The Forester's design philosophy prioritized function over aesthetics. It appeared as two boxes on wheels, similar to a scaled-down Subaru Ascent, with flared fenders, a narrow waist, and a streamlined beltline leading into the rear roof pillars. This design choice emphasized utility over beauty.

Among the trims, the Touring stood out with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, providing a slight edge in visual appeal. Robust roof rails, standard on nearly all trims, added to its utility, supporting various accessories suited for adventures. Some trims even allowed a rooftop tent setup, highlighting the Forester's outdoorsy nature.

Inside, the Forester Touring boasted a Saddle Brown leather interior with exposed stitching and metallic accents. The interior upheld Subaru's tradition of simplicity and functionality, featuring analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen, and an additional display atop the dashboard. Hard plastics dominated the cabin, making it durable and easy to clean. The mix of buttons and knobs for control functions offered practicality, ensuring effortless operation.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured two conventional engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the option of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The V6 could muster 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which felt insufficient for a vehicle of its size, particularly when loaded with passengers. This lack of power was evident during acceleration, where engine noise became prominent despite good insulation.

Choosing the 4xe plug-in hybrid variant, although untested in this review, was anticipated to be a better performer. This setup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, delivering a substantial 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.

The V8, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, was reserved for higher trims (Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve) with 4WD. This engine offered better performance and an attractive sound profile, although its fuel economy was below par at 14/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined compared to the V6's 18/25/21 mpg.

The Grand Cherokee L excelled in ride comfort and handling, thanks to its exceptional chassis and air suspension. The air springs, with five ride height settings, adjusted from Access height for easy entry and exit to Off-road 2 mode offering 10.9 inches of ground clearance. These features, combined with driving modes akin to Land Rover's terrain systems, ensured versatility in various conditions. While its off-road capacity was commendable, especially in the Trail-Rated Overland trim, the vehicle was optimized for on-road comfort, offering a commendable towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2023 Subaru Forester housed a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, distributed to all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT, designed with eight programmed ratios, mimicked the feel of a conventional automatic transmission, enhancing driving experience with Subaru's Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system providing a Sport mode for quicker response.

All Forester trims except Base included an X-Mode off-road traction management system featuring Hill Descent Control. Higher trims added varied driving modes suitable for different terrains, enhancing off-road capability further in models like the Forester Wilderness.

In real-world conditions, the Forester's driving dynamics shone through, providing a comfortable yet responsive ride. The light and precise steering, efficient brakes, and well-calibrated suspension offered a confident driving experience even in adverse weather, underlining Subaru's reputation for handling inclement conditions. Although the 2.5-liter engine felt adequate, a turbocharged option could have improved performance, particularly at higher elevations where many Subaru owners venture for outdoor activities.

The Forester's fuel economy on the test route was 25.9 mpg, below the EPA rating of 29 mpg combined (26 mpg for Wilderness). The inclusion of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid variant could enhance efficiency and provide better off-the-line performance.

The Grand Cherokee L's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was praised for its user-friendliness and sleek design, featuring physical switches for climate and stereo controls, enhancing ease of use. Depending on the trim, the touchscreen size varied from 8.4 inches (in Laredo and Altitude) to 10.1 inches (in Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve). However, some users reported legibility issues with smaller graphics and occasional system lags.

Interior space was generous across all three rows, with even the third row comfortably accommodating average adults. The second row offered either captain’s chairs or a 60/40 split bench seat, the latter being a $695 option. Comfort was enhanced by features like a panoramic roof, ample USB ports, and well-designed seating. However, the small air vents struggled to provide adequate airflow, sometimes necessitating a loud fan setting.

Cargo capacity was competitive, with ample storage solutions including a large central bin for wireless phone charging and a spacious cubby under the armrest.

The Forester emphasized functionality with features that prioritized practicality over style. Trims above the Base model included amenities like a panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and more, ensuring comfort. Higher trims offered luxurious options like StarTex artificial leather or perforated genuine leather, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats, enhancing the overall cabin experience.

The Forester excelled in visibility thanks to its high seating position, tall glass, and thoughtfully designed mirrors, simplifying driving and parking. While front seat comfort was high, rear seats lacked leg support, and the panoramic sunroof’s insufficient tinting caused heat buildup.

Interior storage was plentiful with creatively utilized spaces, while rear cargo capacity was practical for various needs. The cargo area offered 26.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats (28.9 cubic feet without a sunroof) and expanded to 69.1 cubic feet (74.2 cubic feet without a sunroof) with seats folded down, aligning with segment averages.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims were laden with luxury features, including 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functions, a head-up display, night vision, and a 360-degree camera. Standard features across many trims included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. An Active Driving Assist system was available on higher trims, offering semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

Infotainment was enhanced with features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers, and a new optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. However, the voice recognition system had limitations, often misunderstanding commands, making smartphone mirroring functions critical for seamless navigation and media control.

The Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the Base trim, upgraded to an 8-inch display with higher trims. Both systems supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services available in upper trims. The user interface, while simple and effective, had reflective issues.

Voice recognition in the Forester was largely ineffective, often misunderstanding commands. Therefore, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were essential for navigation and media functions. The Forester's infotainment setup, despite its basic appearance, was functional and user-friendly, especially for those preferring traditional controls.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had not been evaluated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review. It included standard safety features like driver and passenger knee airbags, rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and an array of driver assistance systems mentioned earlier.

The Forester’s 2023 iteration saw an updated EyeSight safety suite with improved software and cameras for better performance. It also introduced Automatic Emergency Steering on models with blind-spot monitoring, aiding in avoiding collisions at speeds below 50 mph. Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) was available on Wilderness and Touring trims, with some operational quirks noted during testing.

The Forester faced new IIHS testing protocols, earning a Top Safety Pick rating rather than the previous Top Safety Pick+. The NHTSA awarded it five-star crash-test ratings across the board, plus a four-star rollover resistance rating, typical for its segment.