2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a tiger-nose grille that, while successful on other Kia models, seemed out of place on this SUV. The grille, positioned under oversized headlights and above a chrome trim, resembled a fake mustache, detracting from the vehicle's overall aesthetic. Despite this, Kia nailed other design elements, such as the four-dot running lights reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and the symmetrical rear fascia. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels added to its stylish and planted stance.

Inside, the Sportage boasted a Germanic design with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and plain white-on-black instrumentation. The SX Turbo trim included metal pedal covers and offered a choice of black, gray, or beige interiors, enhancing the upscale feel. The interior was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy control of the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system. The solid transmission shifter added a sense of quality to the driving experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length of 11.4 inches over the standard model, seamlessly integrated a third row of seats. The wheelbase stretched five inches, providing more legroom and wider rear doors. The extra mass blended well into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. Jeep's design, featuring a seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end, remained recognizable. The lighting was modernized, and the paint finish and panel fit were improved. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, with new paint colors like Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee L exuded luxury with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The interior layout felt premium, akin to a Mercedes, without sharing parts. Even in all-black, the interior offered enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable. The lighter tan leather option required extra care to maintain its pristine condition. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was designed for comfort and visual appeal.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, which was competitive but unremarkable. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivering 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power, especially beneficial for those living at higher elevations.

Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system, which included a locking center differential. The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm, giving the SUV a lively personality, especially in Sport mode. The Sportage's suspension, featuring a MacPherson strut front and independent multi-link rear, provided a smooth and compliant ride. The SX Turbo's upgraded brakes and 19-inch wheels added to its sporty feel, though the steering could have been sharper.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: 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, producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, felt underpowered for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was noticeable, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8, with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, provided a more satisfying driving experience.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, offering a stellar ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided adjustable ride heights and varied between soft and firm settings. The vehicle handled well, with minimal body roll, pitch, and dive. The Grand Cherokee L's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its five ride height settings and various driving modes, though it was best suited for on-road comfort. The maximum towing capacity was 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite its smaller size, offered a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim provided perforated leather upholstery, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel was standard. Rear seat legroom was generous, and Kia provided air conditioning vents and a USB charging port for rear passengers.

Interior storage space was ample, but the maximum cargo volume was limited. With the second-row seats folded, the Sportage offered 60.1 cubic feet of cargo space, falling short of competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat was sufficient for four full-sized suitcases. The Sportage's smart liftgate technology allowed for hands-free operation, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and sharp interface. 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 came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Some legibility issues were noted with small graphics and text, and occasional lag was observed in the system.

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. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the travel experience. However, the air vents were small and didn't direct enough airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo featured wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system lacked advanced features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of high-end features on upper trims, including multiple 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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. The SX Turbo also had adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received good crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, enhancing its appeal as a family vehicle.