Hyundai Tucson vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform that, in the U.S., only featured the long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. The Tucson's front end showcased Hyundai's new vehicle face, similar to the Santa Cruz truck, with a parametric grille hiding LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When illuminated, the lights formed a unique shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The side profile echoed the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof appearance.

The rear of the Tucson featured toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, giving it a distinctive look among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the 2022 Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, with different alloys for various trims. The high-end trims offered premium fascias, front and rear skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. Additional standard features included roof rails (except for the SE trim), body-colored side-mirror housings, solar glass, and acoustic laminated glass. Upgrading beyond the base model provided buyers with heated outside mirrors complete with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic avoidance assist indicators and turn signals, among other amenities.

Inside, the Tucson's cabin was well-appointed, featuring standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, with sport combination and leather-trimmed seats available on the N-Line and Limited trims, respectively. The dashboard featured horizontal lines and an uncluttered aesthetic, enhancing the sense of spaciousness.

Conversely, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee represented a two-row version of the prior year's extended-length Grand Cherokee L. The SUV retained classic Jeep design elements while introducing modern touches, evident in its seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and styling cues inspired by the 1963 Wagoneer. The Grand Cherokee also offered a black roof option on some trims, and though initially limited, a wider variety of paint colors was expected.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee offered a range of trims from basic Laredo with cloth seats to the luxurious Summit Reserve with premium quilted leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Visibility improvements were notable in the new Grand Cherokee, aiding situational awareness during off-roading and other driving scenarios. Despite some issues with the previous generation's air conditioning, the 2022 model performed satisfactorily under moderate weather conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. A plug-in hybrid variant was expected later. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, offering a fine, though uninspiring experience. It showed a slight improvement over the previous generation's 2.4-liter engine. The targeted fuel efficiency for the 2022 four-cylinder was 28 mpg combined, an improvement over the outgoing engine.

The hybrid powertrain shone brighter, providing 226 total system combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, enhancing the driving experience without turning the Tucson into a speedster. It performed admirably in high elevation conditions. The hybrid was also more efficient than the ICE models, with front-wheel drive models achieving up to 33 mpg on the highway, and hybrid models reaching an impressive 38 mpg combined.

The upcoming Tucson plug-in hybrid was set to deliver 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful in the lineup, with an estimated 25-mile range on electric power alone and a two-hour charging time.

For the Jeep Grand Cherokee, buyers could select from rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations, equipped with either a V6 or V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, suitable for a 6,200-pound towing capacity. The optional 5.7-liter V8 provided 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, raising the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds.

Three 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I (for light off-roading), Quadra-Trac II (for more challenging terrain), and Quadra-Drive II (for serious off-roading). An eight-speed automatic transmission served all models. The EPA-estimated fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg combined with the V8 to 21 mpg with the V6. Overall, the Grand Cherokee delivered a nimble and athletic ride, especially with its Trailhawk trim designed for off-road prowess, equipped with specialized features like Quadra-Drive II and air suspension.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a budget-friendly yet well-appointed compact SUV experience. Standard seating included a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version and lumbar support available on higher trims. Additional comfort options included three-stage heated front seats, ventilated front seats, memory settings, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat.

The Tucson's larger platform translated into increased passenger and cargo space. It offered nearly 75 cubic feet of cargo volume, competitive with leading models like the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V, and surpassing the Escape. The rear seats provided ample legroom, with a standard 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models.

In comparison, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured a well-thought-out interior, with comfortable options extending from the base Laredo to the ultra-luxurious Summit Reserve. Enhanced visibility and air conditioning performance marked improvements in the redesign. However, rear-seat legroom was somewhat restricted, and the cargo space, at 70.8 cubic feet, fell short of the Tucson's volume.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted a solid standard tech suite, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, six-speaker audio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and multiple USB ports. Upgrading to higher trims introduced a 10.25-inch touchscreen (albeit with a tradeoff requiring wired connectivity for Apple and Android devices), a fully digital instrument cluster, satellite radio, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Blue Link mobile app compatibility.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee emerged as a tech powerhouse with features like a head-up display, Night Vision system, multiple interior touchscreens, and a premium McIntosh audio system. Every variant came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with an 8.4-inch or a 10.1-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and more. The optional 10.25-inch front passenger interactive display and rear-seat entertainment system further enhanced its tech appeal.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations, but it came with an impressive Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite. Standard features included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more. Upgrading added features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system.

Jeep equipped the 2022 Grand Cherokee with an extensive array of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Constructed with a high percentage of aluminum and high-strength steel, this new model aimed for improved crash protection. Among the notable features were Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, providing Level 2 hands-on semi-autonomous driving assistance.