2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX had a design that appealed to fans of black-on-black color schemes, particularly with the Black Line Special Edition. This version removed almost all chrome from the exterior, turning the SUV into what looked like a rolling black hole. It was available in three colors: Black Onyx, Starfire Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl, with Black Onyx being the standout choice for this special edition. Unfortunately, the Lexus was quick to show dust and dirt, which made it appear worn and old sooner than expected.

The overall design of the Lexus GX 460 didn't stray far from its predecessors. The second-generation model looked quite similar to the original GX 470, which debuted in 2002. The exterior featured the signature Lexus spindle grille, running lights, and triple-beam LED headlights, which were among the few modern updates. Inside, the cabin presented high-quality materials and craftsmanship, aligning with Lexus' reputation for refinement. The vehicle was notable for its quiet interior, with just a faint roar from the V8 engine seeping through.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee had a familiar look, carrying over some design elements from its extended-length sibling, the Grand Cherokee L. Jeep kept classic design traditions, including its seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. It also featured a forward-leaning grille and headlights, lower beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars as callbacks to the classic 1963 Wagoneer. Some trims offered a black roof option for a stylish contrast. Jeep assured that additional paint colors would become available as production continued.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, featuring varying degrees of luxury depending on the trim. The Laredo trim with cloth seats ensured good quality and a sense of substance, while the high-end Summit Reserve included luxurious touches such as premium quilted leather, heated and ventilated front seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior layouts across trims offered a balance of style and function but had minor issues like the reflective gloss black finish on higher trims.

The 2022 Lexus GX came with a hefty curb weight of 5,126 pounds and a powerful yet thirsty 4.6-liter V8 engine. It delivered 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm, enabling a slightly sluggish 7.8-second sprint to 60 mph. The substantial torque made towing easier, offering a capacity of up to 6,500 pounds. The GX used a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, sending 40% of torque to the front and 60% to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions.

The GX's fuel economy was predictably low, estimated at 16 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it delivered a slightly better 16.8 mpg. Notably, the standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved handling by enhancing wheel articulation off-road and reducing body motion on pavement. Still, the Lexus GX had sluggish and heavy steering that made parking cumbersome, and a touchy brake pedal that hampered smooth driving.

Conversely, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered more powertrain options and technological advancements. The base model came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It had a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, higher trims allowed for a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, boosting the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds.

The Grand Cherokee came with three 4WD systems. Quadra-Trac I was a fully automatic system available with Laredo, Altitude, and Limited trims, while Quadra-Trac II offered a two-speed transfer case for more complicated terrain and was paired with Overland trim. Quadra-Drive II, available with the Trailhawk and Summit Reserve trims, provided the highest off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee had an eight-speed automatic transmission, though its dial-style shifter was somewhat counterintuitive.

Fuel economy ratings ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain. The Trailhawk trim excelled off-road, equipped with Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, air suspension raising ground clearance to 11.3 inches, and robust skid plates.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered a high driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with great outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short dimensions made it maneuverable in various settings, though the slow steering required effort. The cabin was plush, featuring comfortable seats and conveniently placed padding.

The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. Front seats were heated and ventilated, while the back seats were merely heated. The rear seating was less accommodating, with narrow door openings making ingress and egress tricky. The third-row seat was particularly cramped and hard to access, eliminating most cargo space when in use.

With the third row deployed, the GX claimed 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which seemed exaggerated. Flattening the third-row seat offered 46.7 cubic feet of storage, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down, which was less than many smaller SUVs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable experience across all its trims. Higher trims featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The redesigned Grand Cherokee aimed to improve visibility, achieving this with improved sightlines and camera technologies. The panoramic sunroof added a sense of openness.

However, the rear seats were tight for adults with long legs, and second-row passengers contended with hard plastic on front seatbacks. For extra rear legroom, one might consider the Grand Cherokee L. Regarding cargo space, the two-row Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it quite accommodating compared to the GX.

The 2022 Lexus GX touted itself as the most advanced GX ever, largely due to a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Located above the air vents, the screen was easy to see and use. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX retained a CD player and introduced a Lexus app compatible with smartwatches, offering the best of past and present tech. Available options included a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

However, the GX had an awkward control layout, with stereo knobs positioned beneath off-roading controls, making them less intuitive to use. The dual-screen view on the infotainment display was a highlight, allowing simultaneous viewings of the navigation map and radio display. Voice recognition was both quick and accurate.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse. It featured up to five interior touchscreens, a head-up display, a Night Vision system, and a camera-based rearview mirror. Jeep's next-generation Uconnect 5 system, standard on all trims, boasted a responsive interface and over-the-air updates. The base Laredo featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the Summit and Summit Reserve came with a 10.1-inch screen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM 360L were standard, and the system supported dual Bluetooth connections. Navigation, HD Radio, and enhanced voice recognition were among the upgrades. The most striking feature was the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, providing separate entertainment and navigation assistance capabilities. The Grand Cherokee also offered a premium 19-speaker McIntosh audio system.

The 2022 Lexus GX lacked modern crash-test ratings, given its older structural design. Still, it featured standard Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with collision notification and emergency calling were also available.

However, certain advanced safety features common in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and active blind-spot intervention, were absent. This might appeal to those preferring fewer tech interventions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, built with high-strength steel and aluminum, aimed to surpass its predecessor's crash protection. It added a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The package included common aids like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Unique features included Intersection Collision Assist for safer turns, and Active Driving Assist, offering Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. The hands-free version, expected in 2022, promised even more driver convenience.