2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. This trim level aimed to give the Ascent a sporty appearance that it previously lacked. The interior of the Onyx Edition came with gray two-tone StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, which was water-repellant but had a tendency to trap sweat, making it less comfortable on hot days. The Ascent's interior also featured metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels, adding to its overall aesthetic appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained the classic style of the Grand Cherokee while adding more than a foot in length. The High Altitude package on our Hydro Blue test vehicle blacked out the grille, logos, and door handles, and included dark gray 21-inch wheels. The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with black leather and gold stitching, matte-finish light walnut trim, and a polished black dash. The upper trims featured high-quality materials, although some hard plastics and rougher-grained leather were present. The overall design was bold and modern, with slim LED lighting and body-color bumpers.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, but our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg. The engine's flat-four layout contributed to a lower center of gravity, improving handling. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and came with Subaru’s X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it was criticized for its lackluster performance. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended for better towing capacity and overall performance. The V8 allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, compared to 6,200 pounds with the V6. The Grand Cherokee L's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined for the V6 and 17 mpg combined for the V8. The chassis provided confident handling, especially with the air suspension, which offered five height settings for up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. Jeep offered three four-wheel drive systems, with the most advanced being Quadra-Drive II, which included a low-range transfer case and a limited-slip differential.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened to nearly a 90-degree angle. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's added length provided more legroom for second-row passengers, making it feel spacious even with the first-row seats slid back. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a center console available on the Summit and Summit Reserve trims. The third row was tight for adults but suitable for children. The Grand Cherokee L offered 17 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior featured a well-organized layout with buttons for audio, climate control, and other functions, although some legibility issues were noted with the infotainment system.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel on the Laredo and Altitude trims, while the Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. All systems ran Uconnect 5, which was generally quick and easy to use. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was available as a standalone option on upper trims. The Grand Cherokee L also offered night vision, Active Driving Assist, a head-up display, and a passenger screen that could play video and music independently from the rear entertainment system. Amazon Fire TV was available for streaming from the Jeep’s LTE connection.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. However, the system had issues with direct sunlight and lacked refinement in its adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, automatic high-beam assist, and blind-spot monitoring on Premium trim and above.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L also scored a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. Standard safety features included driver and passenger front knee airbags, forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features on higher trims included front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, 360-degree cameras, and night vision. The Active Driving Assist was standard on the Summit Reserve trim.