2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Kia Telluride

Styling played a significant role in attracting consumers to the 2022 Kia Telluride. Its muscular design, balanced proportions, and trendy blacked-out wheels and trim positioned it as a handsome midsize SUV. Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges for 2022, maintaining its largely successful design elements. Offered in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, the Telluride was priced from $32,790 to $44,590, with AWD available for an extra $2,000 (or $1,900 for SX trim). Our Telluride SX test vehicle, equipped with AWD and the SX Prestige Package, brought the price to $48,325.

Inside, the Telluride’s cabin was well-organized and stylish, featuring premium materials like attractively stitched Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner in the SX Prestige trim. However, the glossy plastic covering on the lower half of the cabin seemed cheap. Despite this, the vehicle's interior looked impressive, especially given its price range. New standard features for 2022 included a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, automatic climate control, and various driving aids, which elevated its overall look and experiential feel.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L retained its classic and upscale design, boasting over a foot more in length without sacrificing the shorter version’s iconic style. Our Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured blacked-out grille, logos, and door handles, dark gray 21-inch wheels, and black leather with gold stitching and light walnut accents inside. This combination, along with the U-shaped fenders and slim LED lighting, contributed to a clean, modern appearance.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, despite its size and the higher center of gravity typical for SUVs, offered a satisfying drive. Its 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, combined with 262 pound-feet of torque, made it quick and responsive, although the lack of a hybrid option was noted as a drawback. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided a smooth power delivery, and the AWD system included a Lock mode for power distribution across axles. While the 8-inch ground clearance was adequate, the Telluride was best suited for less rugged terrains. On dry pavement, its brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system and multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, ensured a comfortable and controlled ride. The SX trim’s 20-inch wheels contributed to good grip and a supple ride quality, making the Telluride a great long-distance driver with a commendable 21.1 mpg on combined driving.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, was its weakest link. It functioned adequately but was considered outdated and unfit for such a solid SUV. The sport mode exacerbated its limitations, and the eight-speed automatic transmission failed to optimize its performance. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine offered a substantial improvement, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque—a better choice for towing and offering a more engaging driving experience, although at the cost of poor fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L’s chassis, combined with an air suspension system, provided a confident and comfortable handling experience, outshining many luxury competitors in maneuverability. Jeep's 4WD options and adjustable ground clearance up to 10.9 inches ensured the Grand Cherokee L was a highly capable off-roader, adding versatility beyond its competitors.

The 2022 Kia Telluride achieved a remarkable balance of form and function. Its upscale, well-organized interior included thoughtful details like overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, rear smartphone storage pouches, embedded USB ports, and accessible rear cupholders. Dual-zone climate control for the front and single-zone for the rear ensured comfort for all passengers. The SX Prestige package added luxurious Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner.

The Telluride's seating was comfortable across all three rows, with a brilliant one-touch sliding and folding mechanism for the second row. Cargo space was generous, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 87 cubic feet with both rows down, making it highly practical for everyday use.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s extended length, including five extra inches in the wheelbase, provided ample legroom, making it a spacious option. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with options for a 60/40 bench seat. Upper trims offered enhanced comfort with features like a center console with two tiers of storage, four-zone climate control, and heated/ventilated rear seats. However, the third row, while equipped with power-folding headrests and sufficient for children, was tight for adults.

Cargo capacity in the Grand Cherokee L was impressive: 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second, and a maximum of 85 cubic feet with both rows folded. This substantial space positioned it near the top of its class, making it a highly practical choice for families requiring extensive cargo room.

In 2022, the Kia Telluride’s new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system became standard, including navigation and a voice recognition technology, though at the cost of losing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. USB charging ports in all rows and a wireless charging pad (standard in all trims except LX) ensured entertainment and connectivity on the go. Kia Connect offered numerous connected services, including emergency assistance, remote engine start, home-to-car integration, and rear occupant alerts to enhance convenience and safety. Features like Quiet Mode and Driver Talk catered to family needs, while the Harman Kardon premium sound system and an excellent head-up display enhanced the driving experience.

For the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, tech offerings varied by trim. Lower trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch screen with navigation capable of displaying full-screen maps. The Uconnect 5 system was praised for its usability, though some legibility issues existed. The McIntosh sound system and 4x4 apps, while gimmicky, added a touch of sophistication. High-tech features like night vision, semi-automated control through Active Driving Assist, and a dynamic passenger screen added to its appeal. The passenger screen, in particular, allowed for independent media control and displayed options like FamCam for monitoring rear seats. Amazon Fire TV streaming and multiple zone climate controls rounded out a highly tech-savvy interior.

Kia equipped the 2022 Telluride with an extensive list of standard safety features under the Kia Drive Wise umbrella. These included forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. The Highway Driving Assist feature combined adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance but required driver input. Safe Exit Assist and Blind-Spot View Monitor technologies added extra layers of safety. The NHTSA awarded the Telluride a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS gave it a “Top Safety Pick” designation.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in the rollover test. Standard safety features included front and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional options like front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras were available on higher trims. Night vision was exclusive to the Summit and Summit Reserve trims, adding a high-tech layer to its safety profile.