2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Volvo XC60

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 in comparison. 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, with new exterior paint colors introduced for 2022.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L offered a luxurious experience with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The interior layout and materials were reminiscent of a Mercedes, providing a premium feel without sharing any parts. The attention to detail and contrast in the design ensured a comfortable and visually stimulating environment for passengers. The lighter tan leather option added an extra touch of luxury, making it a space where passengers would want to keep clean.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 offered three powertrain options: the XC60 B5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, the XC60 B6 with a turbocharged, supercharged, and mild-hybrid engine, and the XC60 Recharge with a turbocharged PHEV powertrain. The Recharge model combined a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder gas engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range. Prices for the 2023 XC60 ranged from just under $46,000 to over $76,000, with trim levels including Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-only Polestar Engineered.

Our test vehicle was the XC60 Recharge with the Ultimate package and Dark exterior theme, featuring Thunder Grey paint, a Climate Package, air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The MSRP was $74,690, including the destination charge. The XC60 Recharge's design, with 20-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim, looked impressive. Volvo's classic Scandinavian minimalism was evident in the interior, with black leather, wood trim, metal accents, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and the Ultimate package's Orrefors crystal gear selector knob, creating an opulent atmosphere.

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). The V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, but it struggled to provide sufficient power for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8 engine, available only on higher trims with 4WD, delivered a more robust 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, offering a better driving experience.

Fuel economy for the V6 was decent, with an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The V8's fuel economy was notably worse at 14/22/17. The 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain, which paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, offered 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, but fuel economy estimates were not yet available.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was a standout feature, providing a stellar ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The vehicle's driving modes, similar to Land Rover's, allowed for easy terrain selection and system modulation. The Grand Cherokee L's maximum towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with an electric motor powering the rear wheels. This setup produced a combined 455 horsepower and 423 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The XC60 Recharge offered several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, as well as battery usage modes like Auto, Hold, and Charge.

The XC60 Recharge was exceptionally quick, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The vehicle's updated powertrain, introduced in mid-2022, included a more powerful electric motor, enhancing performance and driving enjoyment. In Hybrid mode, the rear motor provided a torque-vectoring effect, making the XC60 fun to drive. The Pure mode allowed for electric-only driving, with an estimated range of 35 miles.

During our evaluation, the XC60 Recharge averaged 54.6 mpg over a 65-mile route, demonstrating impressive fuel efficiency. The vehicle's one-pedal driving function and regenerative brakes helped maximize battery pack regeneration. In Charge mode, the XC60 operated solely on the gas engine while recharging the battery, adding 20 miles of battery range over a 50.8-mile trip but achieving only 19.7 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The system included physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions, providing ease of use. 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 insufficient in directing airflow.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, a compact crossover SUV, was best suited for carrying four people, though it could accommodate five if necessary. The front seats, wrapped in Nappa leather in the Ultimate spec, offered outstanding comfort with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable but had limited legroom for taller passengers. The large panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space. Storage options included practical spots in the center console, door panel bins, and glovebox. The XC60 Recharge offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The cargo area included a netted space for the charging cord and buttons to lower the suspension for easier loading.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of premium 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 standard, with the ability to connect two phones 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.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system with four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. The system supported both Android and Apple CarPlay, with additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio and Wi-Fi access. The 9-inch touchscreen, mounted portrait-style, offered excellent graphics and an intuitive interface. The voice-recognition system was impressive, capable of handling various commands and requests. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system provided exceptional audio quality, though it was an expensive option at $3,200.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet 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 aids.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, known for its safety, came with all available safety features in the Ultimate trim. These included Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability, and Oncoming Lane Mitigation to avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top marks from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2022 calendar year. The XC60 Recharge had not been assessed by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rating was expected to carry forward.