2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2023 BMW X7

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee played on a familiar design tradition and maintained the classic Jeep aesthetic. From its seven-slot grille design to the trapezoidal wheel arches, the Grand Cherokee made a strong impression. The forward-leaning grille and headlights, lowered and level beltline, and angled rear roof pillars nodded to its 1963 Wagoneer forebear. Jeep also offered a black roof option on some versions and promised a broader paint color palette down the line. Inside, the Grand Cherokee continued to impress, especially in its higher trims like the Summit Reserve, which offered premium touches like quilted leather seats, a high-end McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. There was, however, some issue with glare on the glossy black finish controls in the more luxurious models.

The 2023 BMW X7, on the other hand, underwent a bold redesign focused heavily on its frontal aesthetics. The large SUV adopted a new look similar to the redesigned BMW 7 Series sedan, featuring LED accent lights and recessed headlights. While the restyle aimed for a bolder look, it proved divisive, often seen as sacrificing grace for a commanding presence. Fortunately, the rear and sides retained much of the previous charm. Interior-wise, the X7 received a notable refresh with a sleek new dashboard housing a digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen under a curved glass panel. However, the move to more piano black and less intuitive controls received mixed reactions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, along with either a V6 or V8 engine. The 3.6-liter V6 generated 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing 6,200 pounds. The more robust 5.7-liter V8 delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg with the V8 to 21 mpg with the V6. The Grand Cherokee was lauded for its off-road capabilities, particularly the Trailhawk version, which featured Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, and a Quadra-Lift air suspension, among other off-road enhancements.

The 2023 BMW X7 xDrive40i started with a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, which allowed it to reach 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. For more power, the X7 M60i offered a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 managed to deliver potent acceleration while maintaining composed handling and a generally comfortable ride.

In terms of comfort and capabilities, the Grand Cherokee 2022 excelled. Front seats offered varying levels of luxury and convenience, from basic cloth in the Laredo trim to massaging, heated, and ventilated leather seats in the Summit Reserve trim. The goal to improve visibility was achieved, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. However, the rear seats were found to be tight for taller passengers. Cargo space stood at 37.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, offering ample room but falling short of the larger Grand Cherokee L.

The 2023 BMW X7 catered well to those seeking abundant space. Its second-row seats could comfortably accommodate taller passengers, thanks to large windows and a panoramic sunroof that increased the feeling of spaciousness. The power-adjustable third-row seats offered adequate head and legroom for average-sized adults, though thigh support and lateral space were limited. Cargo capacity started at 12.8 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 48.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 90.4 cubic feet with both rows stowed. The split tailgate feature and adjustable suspension added to the practicalities of loading cargo.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse with a comprehensive suite of features including a head-up display, Night Vision, and a five-screen potential interior setup. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system brought significant improvements in responsiveness and offered over-the-air updates. It came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among other features, and could be paired with an impressive 19-speaker McIntosh audio system and dual-screen rear-seat entertainment with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2023 BMW X7 received the latest iteration of the iDrive infotainment system, although not without controversy. While basic functions like temperature and audio controls were easy to use, many other functions required diving into the complex menu of the infotainment screen. The system substituted physical buttons with voice commands, which, despite being effective for navigation and texting, became cumbersome for more frequent adjustments.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was fortified with advanced driver assistance systems and constructed with a high-strength aluminum and steel safety cage. It included features like Active Driving Assist, which provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. This feature worked well in controlled environments, though drivers needed to stay alert for tighter curves where the system would disengage.

The 2023 BMW X7 lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS but came packed with standard and optional safety features such as frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive headlights, and a highway driving assist feature that significantly reduced driver fatigue on long trips. The X7’s safety systems performed reliably and without false alarms during testing.