2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes from previous models. Its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood paid homage to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. The option for a white contrasting roof and steel wheels added a retro touch. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender translated into more interior space and better ergonomics, offering a comfortable driving position with good visibility. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with exposed metal and screws, complemented by a mix of leather and suede upholstery, making it suitable for off-road adventures without the worry of damaging a luxurious interior.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, introduced as a longer version of the standard Grand Cherokee, featured an 11.4-inch extension to accommodate a third row of seats. Its design seamlessly integrated the extra length, maintaining the recognizable Jeep aesthetic with a seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end. The lighting was modernized, and the paint finish and panel fit were improved. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather. The spacious cabin offered comfort for all passengers, even in the third row, and the optional air suspension provided a smooth ride. The Grand Cherokee L was designed for on-road comfort, with a focus on luxury and practicality.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a mid-level 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new-for-2022 V8 engine, delivering 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 model included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique suspension tuning for sportier handling. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance. It also boasted an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft. Both were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The V6 engine was found lacking in power for the vehicle's size, while the V8 provided a more satisfying performance. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a 4xe plug-in hybrid option, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, producing 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The chassis was praised for its ride composure and steering feel, with an optional air suspension offering five ride height settings. The Grand Cherokee L had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 with 4WD.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing comfort but limited cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models offered 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions provided 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up, and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a spacious center-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek interface and physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard for six-person seating. A 60/40 split bench seat was available as an option. The cabin was equipped with a panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports. However, the air vents were found to be insufficient, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The interface was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and menu layouts. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system for off-roading assistance.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of advanced technology features, especially in upper trims. These included multiple massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of upcoming turns. The Grand Cherokee L also featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to connect two phones simultaneously. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers, equipped with Amazon Fire TV. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist technologies such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a range of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.