2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger configuration. The 2022 model retained the modern and sporty design introduced in its 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Competing with the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling. The vehicle's sharp character lines and angular features, particularly in the front and rear, created a striking yet balanced design. The RX's color palette included seven options, with new additions like Cloudburst Gray and Iridium, and the F Sport models introduced Grecian Water.

The F Sport trim was the most performance-oriented and athletic in appearance, featuring 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, dark window trimming, F Sport badging, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The base and L trims came with 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, integrated LED turn signals, a rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights and brake lights. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport trim added sporty elements like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. Despite the high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces, the center stack felt dated due to an abundance of buttons. The RX's seats, particularly in the F Sport trim, were less comfortable, with limited lumbar support and a challenging driving position. The limited-edition Black Line trim added exclusive black-colored features and contrast gray stitching for a premium look.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, introduced as a 2021 model, was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase was also extended by five inches, providing more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The extra length and mass blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's recognizable design elements, such as the seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end, while modernizing the lighting and improving paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. For 2022, Jeep added new exterior paint colors: Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The design and tactile quality were comparable to a Mercedes, despite not sharing any parts. The cabin offered ample detail and contrast, even in all-black, and the lighter tan leather option required extra care to maintain its pristine appearance. The Grand Cherokee L's interior layout and materials made it feel like a premium vehicle, justifying its higher price compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two high-torque electric motors for a total output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming. The engine sounded more like a turbocharged four-cylinder than a V6, and acceleration was sluggish. The F Sport trim, equipped with performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, failed to deliver a noticeable improvement in driving dynamics. The drive modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, offered minimal changes in throttle response, gearing, and steering. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with slight variations for AWD and three-row models. The RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The engine noise was intrusive, and the transmission's early upshifts hindered performance. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, providing a more satisfying driving experience. The 4xe plug-in hybrid, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, offered 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, though it was not tested. The V6 achieved an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 managed 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, with excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided adjustable ride heights and varied firmness, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee L's driving modes, similar to Land Rover's, adjusted various systems for different terrains, making it a versatile and capable vehicle.

The standard two-row Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front headroom measured 39.4 inches, and rear headroom was 39.1 inches. Front legroom was ample at 44.1 inches, while rear legroom was 38.0 inches. The three-row L models, despite sharing the same wheelbase, had limited cargo space. The RX 350L featured a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with optional second-row captain's chairs. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row models offered only 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, increasing to 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down and 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows folded. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made loading cargo challenging. However, the RX included thoughtful interior features like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, quick-access head-up display button, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The system included physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions, which were easy to use and had a satisfying tactile feel. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. The panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the cabin experience. However, the air vents were small and insufficient, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available as an option. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the touchscreens were ergonomically unfriendly, with a lip in front of the screen creating access issues. The touchpad controller was hypersensitive and unintuitive, making it frustrating to use. The drive mode selector was placed next to the touchpad, leading to confusion. However, the RX offered a range of quality tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, dual- and tri-zone climate control, premium audio systems, navigation, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App provided additional personalization options like remote engine start and service scheduling.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's upper trims featured premium amenities, including multiple massage modes for the 16-way power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless, and two phones could be connected simultaneously. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system with cyclist and pedestrian detection, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with GPS vehicle tracking. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier "plus" designation due to its headlight rating. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert for possible unattended passengers, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The Grand Cherokee L's safety features and driver assistance systems made it a secure choice for families.