2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a bold front styling with the automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept, giving it a unique identity. Despite its striking front, the design from the front wheels to the rear bumper was balanced and appealing. The Outlander was available in several trims, all featuring handsome 20-inch wheels. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD, White Diamond paint, and the Touring option package, was luxuriously outfitted with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, a premium sound system, and a power panoramic glass sunroof. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents, though some interior plastics reminded of its compact crossover SUV segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, introduced as a longer version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, was 11.4 inches longer to accommodate a third row of seats. The design was elegant and recognizable as a Jeep, with a seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end. The lighting was modernized, and the paint finish and panel fit were markedly better. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. The interior was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. Even in all-black, the interior had enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) powered the front wheels, with an optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. The Outlander offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. However, the engine felt underpowered, especially during acceleration on freeways or when overtaking. The steering was vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm, making the ride uncomfortable on anything but smooth pavement. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg on the testing route, slightly below the EPA’s rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

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. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available only on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. The Grand Cherokee L also had 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 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The chassis was stellar, with a ride composure and steering feel that were incredibly taut and direct. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The V6 had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, deeply padded armrests, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The controls were intuitive, and the displays, including the digital instrumentation and HUD, were impressive. However, there was wasted space on and underneath the center console, resulting in less storage than competitors. The rear seat was generous, with good thigh support and seat heaters. The third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children, and reduced cargo capacity to 11.7 cubic feet. Folding the third row increased cargo space to 33.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with straightforward graphics and physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports enhanced comfort, though the air vents were insufficient, requiring the fan to be kept on high.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect Safeguard and Remote service plans. Wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system were also included. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise and tire slap.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features, 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, and UConnect seamlessly integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and 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 and traffic sign recognition.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, providing smooth and accurate control. It included forward collision avoidance, safe reversing, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, the steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems were intrusive. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. Higher trims offered additional safety features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition.