2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. All trims except the Seltos S included standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Prices at the start of the model year ranged from $22,590 to $28,080, excluding the $1,255 destination charge. The Nightfall Edition, our test vehicle, featured matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a black grille, added body cladding, and robust roof rails. The MSRP for this trim was $28,045, including the destination charge.

Inside, the Seltos displayed a stylish interior with a contrast-color dashboard panel, exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of shiny hard plastic made the interior look cheap. The build quality was excellent, and the controls were logically arranged with a collection of knobs and buttons. Despite some nitpicking, the Seltos was larger, more useful, more refined, and more powerful than many of its direct rivals, making it easy to forget it competed against the Toyota Corolla Cross and not the Toyota RAV4.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a two-row version of the previous year's extended-length Grand Cherokee L, checked all the boxes on the list of Jeep design traditions. It was available in Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims, with prices ranging from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding the $1,795 destination charge. The Grand Cherokee's styling reflected influences from the first Jeep SUV, the 1963 Wagoneer, with a forward-leaning grille, lowered and level beltline, and angled rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee was essentially identical to the '21 Grand Cherokee L, with a basic but high-quality interior in the Laredo trim and a luxurious interior in the Summit Reserve trim.

The Grand Cherokee offered a range of features, from heated and ventilated front seats to a McIntosh high-end audio system and a large panoramic sunroof. The gloss black finish on some controls in higher trims suffered from reflections, making them harder to use. Overall, the Grand Cherokee was easy to find in a version that met style, comfort, and purpose requirements, except for the temporarily limited selection of exterior paint colors.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo-DCT combination made the Seltos more engaging to drive, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, and Smart. The AWD system had a Lock function for power delivery between the front and rear wheels at lower speeds, and the Seltos had a ground clearance of 7.3 inches.

The Seltos Nightfall Edition returned an EPA fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in combined driving. However, the suspension tuning was the least appealing aspect, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions on uneven pavement and feeling bouncy on undulating roads. Despite these issues, the Seltos was easy to park, had excellent outward visibility, and felt lively in urban and suburban environments. The steering was secure on the highway, but not engaging or communicative. The test-drive day was windy, adding more noise to the already significant road roar in the cabin.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) and came with a V6 or a V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The available 5.7-liter V8 engine delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three different 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability.

The Grand Cherokee used an eight-speed automatic transmission with a dial-style shifter. The EPA estimates for fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg with the V8 and 4WD to 21 mpg with the V6 and any drivetrain. The Trailhawk trim featured Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, a Quadra-Lift air suspension, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Trailhawk excelled in off-roading, with tools like Selec-Terrain driving modes, Selec-Speed off-road cruise control, and a forward-facing off-road camera.

The V6 engine was preferred for its efficiency and good acceleration, while the V8 provided a thrilling sound but at a higher cost. The Grand Cherokee felt more nimble and athletic than the larger Grand Cherokee L, with excellent ride quality. The Quadra-Lift air suspension dulled the Grand Cherokee's driving character, making it feel less like its old self.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior that was easy to live with daily. The Nightfall Edition had a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and cloth upholstery with Sofino simulated leather bolsters. The rear seat was spacious, with generous legroom and footroom, rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a center armrest with cupholders. Cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, front seat massagers, and more. Visibility was improved, especially when off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. Rear-seat room was tight for adults with long legs, and the plastic front seatback trim was unkind to knees and shins. The two-row Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Kia Seltos expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system to include the S trim level. This system was standard on the Seltos EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX, and paired with a Bose premium sound system in the SX trim. Features included Bluetooth, a navigation system, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the Seltos LX and S trims offered wireless smartphone connectivity. The infotainment system was intuitive to use, but the voice recognition system was frustrating.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, offering a comprehensive head-up display, a Night Vision system, a camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, standard in every Grand Cherokee, offered a claimed five-fold improvement in responsiveness and over-the-air software updates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, voice recognition, and voice text reply capability were standard. The larger 10.1-inch touchscreen was available in most trims, and the front passenger interactive display was optional starting with Limited trim.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Seltos EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Seltos SX included adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist. The Seltos earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an impressive collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a safety cage composed extensively of aluminum and high-strength steel. The Grand Cherokee included Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, providing Level 2 hands-on semi-autonomous driving assistance. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected in 2022. The new Grand Cherokee's crash-test performance remained to be seen, but the underlying structure and ADAS package were promising.