Toyota Highlander vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured a design that felt familiar yet modern, embodying traditional Jeep aesthetics. It mirrored the design of the previous year’s Grand Cherokee L but in a more compact two-row format. The model was available in various trims including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding a destination charge of $1,795.

Driving through the rugged terrains of Utah, the Grand Cherokee impressed with its versatility in delivering simplicity, off-road capabilities, or luxury depending on the chosen trim. The design elements, such as the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches, harkened back to the classic 1963 Wagoneer while adding a modern touch with options like a contrasting black roof and a forthcoming variety of paint colors.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee bore a striking resemblance to the previous year’s model. The interior quality ranged from basic but substantial in the Laredo trim to lavishly luxurious in the Summit Reserve, which boasted features such as premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the glossy black controls in higher trims were prone to reflections that could hinder usability.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Toyota Highlander sported a modern and slightly aggressive front-end design. Its flared fender arches and stylish window design aimed to make the spacious Highlander appear more compact. Despite this visual trickery, the interior offered ample space and storage solutions ideal for family use.

The Highlander also flaunted a diverse trim lineup: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. Prices aligned with increasing levels of luxury and functionality. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its sporty suspension, unique styling, ambient lighting, and a bold red leather interior option that contrasted dramatically with its sedate exterior colors.

Jeep's 2022 Grand Cherokee offered versatility in its powertrain options, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 engine available on higher trims, offering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, although some testers found the dial-style transmission shifter a bit cumbersome. The Grand Cherokee could tow up to 7,200 pounds when equipped with the V8 engine, while the V6 variant could manage 6,200 pounds. Depending on the trim and drivetrain, fuel economy ranged from 17 to 21 mpg.

Multiple 4WD systems provided various degrees of off-road capability. Quadra-Trac I offered basic 4WD functionality, Quadra-Trac II added a two-speed transfer case for more robust terrain handling, and Quadra-Drive II, standard on the Trailhawk and optional on the Summit, delivered advanced off-road prowess with features like a two-speed transfer case, a locking rear differential, and high ground clearance. The Trailhawk trim particularly excelled with enhanced off-road equipment and made the Grand Cherokee a formidable offroader.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, offered front-wheel drive as standard with optional all-wheel drive. It provided a smooth ride, especially with the XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension, which minimized body roll and enhanced handling without compromising ride comfort. The Highlander's eight-speed automatic transmission came with a tap-shift function and available paddle shifters, enhancing driver control. Multiple drive modes catered to different driving conditions.

The Highlander’s towing capacity capped at 5,000 pounds, lower than the Grand Cherokee's, but adequate for most family hauling needs. It performed admirably across various driving scenarios, delivering composed handling and a throaty exhaust note, particularly when accelerating or overtaking on the highway.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered comfortable seating and a robust build quality across all trims, with higher trims adding luxuries such as heated and ventilated seats and massaging front seats. Visibility had been improved, especially for off-roading scenarios. The base model's cloth seats delivered surprising comfort, and the panoramic sunroof in higher trims added an airy ambiance.

In terms of cargo space, the two-row Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the three-row Grand Cherokee L offered more capacity with 46.9 cubic feet with the rearmost seats up and up to 84.6 cubic feet with all seats folded.

By contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander excelled in cargo capacity, providing up to 84.3 cubic feet of space with both the second and third rows folded, 48.4 cubic feet with just the third row down, and 16 cubic feet with all seats in use. The power liftgate on upper trims facilitated easy loading, and various storage compartments throughout the cabin enhanced practicality.

The Highlander also offered flexible seating configurations. The XSE trim, for example, came with second-row captain's chairs, which provided easier access to the third row and extra space between occupants.

Jeep’s 2022 Grand Cherokee overflowed with technology, incorporating a comprehensive head-up display, a Night Vision system, and five different touchscreens for information and entertainment. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen in most trims, with a 10.1-inch screen available as an upgrade. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and voice recognition.

The 19-speaker McIntosh audio system and dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV integration were highlights. Front-passenger interactive displays added a unique touch, allowing the passenger to assist the driver and enjoy personalized entertainment.

In the 2022 Toyota Highlander, technology centered on practicality. It came with a standard WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The larger 12.3-inch touchscreen was available but not as user-friendly as the base unit. The straightforward infotainment interface, combined with physical buttons, offered intuitive control. Additional features included a digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee boasted an array of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and a strengthened chassis with extensive use of aluminum and high-strength steel. New features included Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, the latter providing Level 2 autonomous driving. The future introduction of a hands-free version of Active Driving Assist promised to enhance driving convenience further.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came with the Toyota Safety Sense suite as standard, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor. However, the active nature of the lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems could sometimes be overly intrusive.