2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

When shopping for a 2022 Jeep Wrangler, buyers had to choose between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Depending on this choice, they could select from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The standard six-speed manual transmission could be upgraded to an eight-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, with multiple systems available depending on the trim level. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. The High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim, featured LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, and the Xtreme Recon package, which included a 1.5-inch suspension lift and 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the Grand Cherokee by more than a foot without sacrificing its classic style. Our Hydro Blue example featured the High Altitude package, which blacked out the grille, logos, and door handles, and included dark gray 21-inch wheels. The interior of upper trims was impressive, with black leather, gold stitching, and matte-finish light walnut accents. The Grand Cherokee L's design combined quintessential Jeep elements with modern touches like slim LED lighting and body-color bumpers. The interior featured high-quality materials, a polished black dash with an optional touchscreen, and a thick metal dial for the gear selector. The Grand Cherokee L offered a luxurious experience, especially in the upper trims, with features like diamond-patterned stitching and aluminum speaker grilles.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide was equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and our test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving for the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6, but our test vehicle averaged 16.8 mpg over a week and 435 miles of driving. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique and immersive, with a rough-and-tumble feel, loud cabin noise, and a need for frequent fuel stops. Despite these quirks, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities and open-top driving experience made it a beloved vehicle for many.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it was considered underwhelming for the vehicle's size. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended, especially for towing, with a max rating of 7,200 pounds compared to 6,200 with the V6. The V8 also sounded fantastic. Fuel economy for 4x4 models was 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with the V6, while the V8's ratings were 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, especially with the air suspension, which allowed for five height settings and improved aerodynamics at highway speeds. The Grand Cherokee L offered three 4WD systems, with the most advanced being Quadra-Drive II, which included a low-range transfer case and a limited-slip differential.

Getting in and out of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was challenging, especially with the High Tide's raised suspension. The manual height adjuster for the driver's seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and a driving position close to the steering wheel and windshield. Visibility was a mixed bag, with some areas requiring leaning forward to see traffic lights and the 35-inch spare tire blocking part of the rear view. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. Storage options were limited, with netting on the lower door panels and small trays and compartments. The cargo area offered 31.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's added length provided more legroom for second-row passengers, with standard captain's chairs and an optional 60/40 bench seat. The third row was best suited for children under 12. Sight lines and visibility were good from the driver's seat, with two rows of buttons surrounding the touchscreen for audio, climate control, and other functions. Cargo space was ample, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded. This max cargo space was at the top of the class, significantly larger than the Grand Cherokee's 71 cubic feet.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, featured a 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but our test vehicle did not have these features. Despite this, streaming Pandora and using Apple CarPlay for navigation provided sufficient functionality. The Wrangler High Tide also included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel. The Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen and navigation that displayed full-screen maps on the instrument panel. All systems ran Uconnect 5, which was generally quick and easy to use. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was available as a standalone option on upper trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard on all trims. The Grand Cherokee L also offered night vision, Active Driving Assist, 16-way power front seats with massage programs, a head-up display, and a passenger screen that could play video and music independently from the rear entertainment system.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Marginal rating for protection in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) small overlap crash-test evaluation. The Wrangler's headlight performance was rated Poor for the standard lights and Marginal for the LED upgrades.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L scored a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023, when Jeep reinforced the frame for higher side-impact test scores. It also received five stars in every NHTSA test except for rollover, where it scored four stars. Standard safety features included driver and passenger front knee airbags, forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features on Limited and Overland trims included front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras. Night vision and Active Driving Assist were available on the Summit and Summit Reserve trims.