2022 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured Kia's tiger-nose grille styling, which worked well on other models but not as much on the Sportage. The grille, placed under oversized headlights and over a chrome trim, resembled a fake mustache plastered to the SUV's front. Despite this, Kia nailed other design details, from the four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan to the Volkswagen-style symmetry of the back door shut line and rear fascia seam. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels pushed out to the corners gave it proper proportions and a planted stance.

Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues with a black dashboard featuring polished metallic accents and plain white markings on a black background for instrumentation. The SX Turbo included metal pedal covers, and the interior came in black, gray, and beige, adding a rich, high-contrast look. Buttons and knobs made it easy to adjust the stereo, change the cabin temperature, and access the infotainment system's main menus. The transmission shifter's solid and fluid operation imparted a sense of quality, making every Sportage feel upscale.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length, maintained the classic style of its predecessors while adding modern touches. The Hydro Blue example with the High Altitude package featured a blacked-out grille, logos, and door handles, complemented by dark gray 21-inch wheels and black leather with gold stitching. The U-shaped fenders and square greenhouse were quintessential Jeep, while slim LED lighting and body-color bumpers with integrated exhaust tips added a modern flair. The interior of upper trims was impressive, with 90 percent of materials feeling justified for a $70,000 truck. The polished black dash hid an optional touchscreen, and the gear selector and driving mode toggles felt appropriately damped. Diamond-patterned stitching on the seats and aluminum speaker grilles added to the classy feel.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models had a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, forming a competitive but unremarkable powertrain. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, came with a robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it especially beneficial for those living at higher elevations. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system as an option. The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque arriving at a low 1,450 rpm and remaining available until 3,500 rpm. The SUV's suspension tuning lent it a sophisticated driving character, with a smooth and compliant ride. However, the steering could have been quicker and sharper, and the tires could have offered a higher threshold before howling.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's weakest element was its standard V6 engine, which produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The engine's noise was well-muffled, but it groaned and ground its way to power. The sport mode improved throttle response but didn't allow the eight-speed automatic transmission to upshift to top gear in regular driving. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, was recommended, especially for towing, with max ratings of 7,200 pounds compared to 6,200 with the V6. The V8 also sounded fantastic. The chassis felt solid and stiff, providing confident handling, and the air suspension allowed the SUV to whisk through corners without excessive lean. Jeep offered three four-wheel drive systems, with the Grand Cherokee L capable of cycling through five height settings for ground clearance of up to 10.9 inches.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller on the compact crossover SUV scale, had a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim offered perforated leather upholstery with classy contrast stitching and piping, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger. 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. However, the maximum cargo volume was limited to 60.1 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded, falling short of segment leaders. The 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat was acceptable, and the smart liftgate technology was a convenient feature.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's added length allowed for more legroom for second-row passengers, making it feel cavernous. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a center console available on the Summit and Summit Reserve trims. The third row power-folded up and down, but the second row was manual. The two-person third row was tight for adults but suitable for kids under 12. Sight lines and visibility from the driver's seat were good, 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, making it one of the largest in its class.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trim levels also had UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo included wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system was easy to use, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, and logical onscreen menus. However, the UVO Link system was falling behind in terms of technological sophistication, with an 8-inch screen, no WiFi hotspot, and wired smartphone mirroring.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Laredo and Altitude trims featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel. The Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and navigation that showed 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 good but lacked surround imaging from the rear speakers. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard on all trims. The night vision worked superbly, and the Active Driving Assist provided semi-automated control on marked highways. The passenger screen in the dash was a standout feature, allowing the front passenger to control navigation, activate cameras, and stream video independently.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim also included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage earned good crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo earning an Acceptable headlight rating, making it an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L scored a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and five stars in most NHTSA tests. 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 included front cross-traffic braking, backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras. Night vision was available on the Summit and Summit Reserve trims, and the Active Driving Assist was standard on the Summit Reserve.