2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Kia Telluride

Styling was a significant factor in attracting consumers to the 2022 Kia Telluride. It showcased a muscular design and balanced proportions, along with available trendy blacked-out wheels and trim, making it an attractive midsize SUV. Kia kept things simple for 2022, making only a minor change to the grille pattern and updating the badges.

The 2022 Telluride was available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with pricing ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, plus a destination charge of $1,225. Every model came with front-wheel drive (FWD), and all-wheel drive (AWD) was an available option for an additional $2,000 ($1,900 for SX trim). Our Telluride SX test vehicle had AWD, the SX Prestige Package, and carpeted floor mats, totaling $48,325.

Inside, regardless of the trim, the Telluride’s interior was impressively laid out and user-friendly. The controls were logically arranged, though the glossy plastic on the lower half of the cabin looked somewhat cheap, notably in the SX Prestige trim that featured attractively stitched Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner.

The 2022 Telluride included new standard features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment with navigation, automatic climate control, Highway Driving Assist, and Smart Cruise Control-Curve. However, the larger touchscreen meant the loss of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The Telluride S trim gained a wireless smartphone charger as a standard feature in 2022.

In comparison, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with an elongated body to accommodate a third row, was introduced first as a 2021 model and later followed by the two-row Grand Cherokee in 2022. The Grand Cherokee L was 11.4 inches longer with a wheelbase stretched by five inches for more legroom and better rear-seat access.

The Grand Cherokee L retained classic Jeep styling elements like the seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end but with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. Depending on the trim level, the styling was more refined, with the Summit and Summit Reserve trims featuring black roofs, larger wheels, and additional chrome accents. For 2022, Jeep also added three new exterior colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

Interior quality in the Grand Cherokee L was superior, justified by its higher price. Even the base Laredo trims impressed, but the upper trims like the Summit Reserve featured luxurious materials including dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and faux-suede roof lining, making the cabin visually appealing and comfortable.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, was surprisingly agile for its size. While the engine provided ample power, it was the only option available, which might disappoint buyers looking for a hybrid alternative.

The Telluride’s eight-speed automatic transmission powered the wheels, with AWD models offering a Lock mode that split power evenly between the front and rear axles. The Telluride’s 8 inches of ground clearance allowed for limited off-roading. Thanks to a brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system and selectable driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport), the Telluride maintained a smooth and compliant ride. It delivered an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving (23 mpg in FWD), and our AWD model matched this at 21.1 mpg. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a more robust lineup of powertrains. Standard options included a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 producing 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V6, though, was found lacking in power for a vehicle of this size, making it less sufficient, especially when fully loaded. The V8 provided stronger performance and was standard on higher trims with 4WD.

Notably, a 4xe plug-in hybrid model paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors for a total output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, offering emissions-free 4WD. This model was anticipated to perform better but hadn't been tested at the time.

Fuel economy for the V6 stood at an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (21 mpg combined), while the V8 dropped to 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L’s chassis provided stellar ride composure and steering precision, with optional air suspension allowing for varied ride height settings suitable for different driving conditions. It boasted a higher towing capacity, achieving up to 6,200 pounds in RWD models and 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2022 Kia Telluride excelled in balancing form and function, featuring a well-designed, organized, and upscale interior. Thoughtful touches included functional grab handles, overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, rear smartphone storage pouches, and plenty of USB ports. Dual-zone automatic climate control kept front-seat occupants comfortable, with a single-zone system for the back. Leather upholstery varied by trim, with the SX Prestige package offering premium Nappa leather and a simulated suede headliner.

The Telluride’s seating arrangement was adult-friendly across all three rows, though the third row remained less preferable compared to the others. Cargo capacity was ample, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. This made it ideal for practical uses such as transporting household items.

For the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the Uconnect 5 infotainment system continued its legacy of simplicity and ease of use, featuring well-damped physical switches for essential functions. Standard equipment varied by trim, with higher trims offering a 10.1-inch touchscreen, panoramic roof, and plenty of USB ports ensuring ample space and comfort even in the third row. The second-row captain's chairs were replaced with a bench seat if needed, affecting seating capacity and configuration.

The Grand Cherokee L’s large cargo capacity complemented its spacious interior, with legroom and headroom ample across all three rows. However, the air vents were insufficiently designed, leading to inadequate airflow and requiring the fan to be kept on high, which created excessive noise.

The 2022 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring navigation and voice recognition. While this upgrade was welcomed, it resulted in the loss of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard technology included USB charging ports for all seating rows, with a standard wireless charging pad (except in the LX trim). Kia Connect offered a host of connected services, such as emergency assistance, safe teen driving features, remote engine start, and smart speaker integration.

Innovations like Quiet Mode, Driver Talk, and rear occupant sensors added convenience and security, while the SX trim boasted a Harman Kardon premium sound system and an advanced head-up display.

In comparison, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s upper trims offered premium technological features, including massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, night vision, a crystal-clear 360-degree camera system, and Active Driving Assist. The navigation system integrated seamlessly with the instrument panel, emphasizing a user-friendly experience. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with dual touchscreen displays for rear passengers.

Standard and optional safety features across trims included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and more sophisticated elements on higher trims, such as four-zone climate control, rear-facing cameras, and a premium McIntosh stereo system.

Kia equipped the 2022 Telluride with a comprehensive suite of safety features under the Kia Drive Wise umbrella. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction, and Highway Driving Assist. The SUV earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, though its headlight ratings didn't qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ honor.

In comparison, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and myriad driver assistance features. However, it had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.