2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L continued the legacy of its predecessors with a design that balanced toughness and upscale appeal. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured a blacked-out grille, logos, and door handles, complemented by dark gray 21-inch wheels and black leather with gold stitching. The interior of upper trims was impressive, with polished black dashes, a thick metal dial for the gear selector, and diamond-patterned stitching on the seats and door panels. However, some hard plastics and rougher-grained leather detracted slightly from the overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. The Sport Touring trim in deep Canyon River Blue featured black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and 19-inch wheels. The interior followed the design direction of the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with high-quality materials and attractive contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel. The honeycomb grille surrounding the climate control vents added a premium feel, making the cabin both functional and stylish.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's performance was hampered by its standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, which produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The engine's noise was well-muffled, but it lacked the low-end torque needed for a heavy SUV. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, was a better choice, especially for towing, with a max rating of 7,200 pounds. Fuel economy for the V6 was 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8's ratings were significantly worse at 14/22/17. The chassis, however, provided confident handling, especially with the air suspension, which allowed the SUV to cycle through five height settings for ground clearance of up to 10.9 inches.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a more powerful and efficient driving experience. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 115 mph and a towing capacity of up to 1,000 lbs. The CR-V Hybrid featured four drive modes: Snow, Sport, Normal, and Econ, with the updated Real Time AWD system capable of sending up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels. The new "B" shifter position allowed for increased regenerative braking, enhancing fuel efficiency. The FWD CR-V Hybrid achieved 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's added length provided more legroom for second-row passengers, making it feel cavernous. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 bench seat available as an option. The third row was tight for adults but suitable for children. Cargo space was ample, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior featured good sight lines and visibility, but the infotainment system's graphics and text had legibility issues.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded. Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The interior featured a cubby designed to hold two smartphones, eight cupholders, and a console with best-in-class storage. The Sport Touring model included a hands-free power tailgate and wide-opening rear doors for easy access.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, running Uconnect 5. The system was generally quick and easy to use, despite some legibility issues. The McIntosh sound system with 19 speakers was available, though it lacked surround imaging from the rear speakers. The Grand Cherokee L also featured night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that could play video and music independently from the rear entertainment system.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen display with physical volume and tuning knobs, while the Sport Touring trim had a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob. Both Hybrid models included two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Sport Touring trim added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system, and Honda's smart navigation system, which optimized fuel efficiency based on the terrain.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L scored a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and received five stars in every NHTSA test except for rollover, in which it scored four. 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 included front cross-traffic braking, backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. New safety features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The CR-V Hybrid also featured a blind-spot information system, cross-traffic monitor, parking sensor system, rear-seat reminder, and rear seatbelt reminder. The CR-V Hybrid had already earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA.