2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

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 blended seamlessly into the vehicle's design, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep's decision to release the L model first in 2021, before the two-row version in 2022, contributed to this perception.

The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable 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 featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing the vehicle's elegant appearance. New exterior paint colors for 2022 included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky. Inside, the Grand Cherokee L offered luxurious materials and a well-thought-out layout, making it feel like a high-end vehicle.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos, though exclusive to North America by name, was a global SUV designed for affordability and passenger comfort. In its inaugural year of 2022, the Taos became Volkswagen's third-best selling model in the U.S., surpassing the Jetta by 20,843 units. Despite a higher base price than the Jetta, the Taos' appeal was evident in its sales figures.

For 2023, the Taos ranged in price from $24,155 to $34,535, excluding a $1,235 destination charge. Available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with FWD or 4Motion AWD, the Taos SEL we tested featured 4Motion and a Cornflower Blue paint job. The SEL trim's stylish design, including bold 19-inch alloy wheels and a premium interior with light gray accents and leather seats, gave it an upscale appearance. The Taos' roomy interior, comparable to the larger Tiguan, made it one of the most spacious small crossover SUVs available.

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 RWD or 4WD. While a 48-volt hybrid system was available on Ram 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-kWh battery and two electric motors, provided 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.

Our test vehicle had the V6 engine, which produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. However, the engine felt underpowered for the vehicle's weight, requiring high revs and producing noticeable noise. The transmission's early upshifts didn't help, and while Sport mode kept the revs high, it also prevented them from settling. The V8, with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, was a better option, available only on higher trims with 4WD. Fuel economy for the V6 was decent at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 14/22/17 mpg.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was a standout feature, offering excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided adjustable ride heights and varied between soft and firm settings. The vehicle's driving modes, similar to Land Rover's, adjusted various systems for different terrains. The Grand Cherokee L's maximum towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds for 4WD models.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. FWD models paired the engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models used a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Depending on the model, the Taos offered up to five driving modes and four additional settings for the 4Motion AWD system.

Driving the Taos SEL smoothly was challenging due to unpredictable powertrain response. The dual-clutch transmission exhibited halting behavior, and the engine's lack of power was noticeable, especially compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona N. Our test vehicle averaged 26.8 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg combined.

The Taos SEL's driving character was distinctly Germanic, with firm, sure-footed handling and excellent visibility. The vehicle's steering was light but responsive, making it nimble and enjoyable to drive. However, the brake pedal feel was inconsistent, and the Taos suffered from wind and road noise at highway speeds.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. Physical switches for climate, seat controls, and stereo functions were easy to use, and the central rotary shifter was intuitive. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. However, some legibility issues and occasional lag were noted.

The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced comfort, though the air vents were insufficient, requiring the fan to be kept on high.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered different interior materials depending on the trim: cloth seats for the S trim, CloudTex artificial leather for the SE, and real leather for the SEL. The SE and SEL trims included cold-weather equipment, and the SEL added features like rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel.

The Taos' eight-way power driver's seat was comfortable, and the interior felt spacious, with ample rear-seat room and comfort. Storage space was plentiful, though most locations were unlined, causing noise and vibration. The cargo area offered 27.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the seat folded down, slightly less with 4Motion.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims offered premium features like massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and Active Driving Assist. The navigation system integrated with 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.

Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and a rear-facing camera.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos came with standard digital instrumentation, with an eight-inch screen for S and SE trims and a 10.25-inch display for the SEL. Infotainment systems ranged from a basic 6.5-inch touchscreen to an 8-inch touchscreen with additional features for SE and SEL trims. The SEL also included a native navigation system and an eight-speaker Beats Audio premium sound system.

However, the Taos' infotainment system had usability issues, such as hidden virtual controls, a complicated radio tuning process, and a confusing settings menu. The voice-recognition technology was also subpar unless upgraded with additional services.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.

For 2023, the Volkswagen Taos improved its standard safety features, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added VW's IQ.Drive collection of ADAS, which included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Taos also featured a post-collision automatic braking system, automatic high-beam headlights, parking sensors, and a road-sign recognition system. Travel Assist performed well in real-world testing, providing smooth and accurate assistance.