2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Volkswagen designed the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport by eliminating the third row from the standard seven-passenger Atlas model, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches for a sportier look, and shortening the SUV’s length by 5.2 inches. Despite these changes, the wheelbase remained the same, ensuring a spacious interior for five people. However, the reduced length and angled rear window decreased cargo space to 40.3 cubic feet behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet. The SEL Premium R-Line trim, with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels, gave the Atlas Cross Sport a bold and upscale appearance, although other wheel options were less appealing. The interior featured various color combinations, but the use of hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the standard two-row Grand Cherokee by 11.4 inches to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase also stretched by five inches, providing more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. The extra length 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 grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing the lighting and improving paint finish and panel fit. The interior featured high-quality materials like real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather, giving it a luxurious feel comparable to a Mercedes.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, which did not require premium fuel, provided a more satisfying driving experience and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, compared to the turbo-four’s 2,000-pound rating. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drive available. The V6 engine felt more energetic in the two-row Atlas Cross Sport, but the suspension tuning was inconsistent, resulting in a harsh ride at low speeds and a too-soft feel at higher speeds. The V6 engine averaged 19.2 mpg during testing, slightly less efficient than the larger Atlas.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine struggled to provide sufficient power for the heavy vehicle, especially when fully loaded, and the transmission’s early upshifts did not help. The V8 engine, available only on higher trims, offered a more satisfying driving experience. The Grand Cherokee L also featured 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 V6 engine achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L’s chassis provided excellent ride composure and steering feel, with an optional air suspension offering five ride height settings for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase, track width, and interior with the larger seven-passenger model, providing ample space for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and rear side-window sunshades helped keep the interior comfortable. The cargo area offered plenty of space, with deep wells for additional storage, although the shorter length and lower roofline reduced overall cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and sharp interface. Physical switches for climate, seat controls, and stereo functions were easy to use, and the central rotary shifter was intuitive. 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 second-row captain’s chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced comfort for long journeys. However, the air vents were small and did not direct enough airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The base 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims had a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless charging, and additional USB ports. The upgraded infotainment system offered access to Car-Net connected service subscription plans, providing features like remote start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the user experience could be frustrating, with issues related to touchscreen interaction and voice recognition. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which was highly praised.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s upper trims offered premium features like 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. The Summit trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system as standard. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a low-speed automatic braking system. The SEL trim featured automatic high-beam LED headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line trim added a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant system and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.

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, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The Summit trims offered additional safety features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor.