2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The front-end design of modern Chevrolet trucks and SUVs, including the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, had always been known to spark divided opinions. Past generations often leaned towards conservative designs that aged gracefully over time. However, the contemporary line of trucks and SUVs appeared to struggle with their more aggressive styling. Chevrolet seemed to have borrowed design cues from the Camaro, stretching them over the large frames of these vehicles. This resulted in a combination of small headlights and large, busy grilles, which did not do the Suburban any favors. A redesign of a Camaro had been so poorly received that a mid-cycle refresh had been necessary. Perhaps a similar fate awaited the Suburban, Tahoe, and Silverado.

Inside the Suburban, the interior layout remained a redeeming feature. Familiar controls were in their usual spots, with the radio and climate controls well-placed. The touchscreen, though effective, was framed by a chrome strip that unfortunately reflected sunlight directly into the driver’s eyes. Suburban trim levels ranged from LS, LT, Z71, RST, and Premier, to the top-tier High Country. The LS trim came with a comprehensive infotainment system and 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims added features like a hands-free power liftgate, leather upholstery, and even an adaptive air suspension in the Premier trim. Notably, the High Country aimed for luxury with woodgrain and leather elements but fell short of true luxury by comparison to high-end SUVs.

On the other hand, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was instantly recognizable as a Jeep from any angle. The elongated body allowed it to accommodate a third row of seats, making it 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee. The Jeep's hallmark seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end were complemented by modern lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. Whether in the base Laredo or the loaded Summit Reserve trim, the Grand Cherokee L impressed with its refined design. The interior went further, with real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, giving it a Mercedes-like touch.

Even with its long list of luxuries, the Grand Cherokee L maintained functionality. It offered an array of tech-savvy features and elegant touches across its trim levels. For instance, new for 2022 were paint options like Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky, providing a fresh and stylish look to an already sharp vehicle.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban featured a standard 5.3-liter V8 engine delivering 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. An alternative was the more powerful 6.2-liter V8, making 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering package. Our test vehicle came with the newly available Duramax turbodiesel engine, a 3.0-liter inline-six producing 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The diesel engine had impressive pickup, matching V8-level torque, which made it suitable for both city driving and highway cruising. However, the Suburban's truck-based underpinnings revealed both strengths and weaknesses. The brakes were superb, providing confidence-inspiring stopping power, although the vehicle had noticeable body roll and was prone to turbulence and crosswinds.

In comparison, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Unique to the lineup was the 4xe plug-in hybrid, which combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery and two electric motors, producing 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Our test Jeep had the V6 engine, which at 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, felt underpowered for a vehicle of its size. The engine demanded high revs, and the transmission's early upshifts undermined its performance.

The V8, however, available only on higher trims with 4WD, offered a more balanced and potent drive. Fuel economy was reasonable with the V6 at an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, though the V8 fared worse at 14/22/17. The plug-in hybrid held potential for better performance and efficiency, though it had not been tested at the time.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis stood out, with a ride quality that was adaptable and comfortable. The optional air suspension provided five ride height settings, allowing for versatile driving modes suited to different terrains. It handled with poise, equating to family comfort on long journeys.

The Suburban’s cargo space was one of its most compelling features. With rear seats folded, it offered an expansive 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Even with the second-row seats in place, 93.8 cubic feet remained, and with all seats in use, 41.5 cubic feet was still available. This was plenty for families traveling on long road trips. The interior provided ample head- and legroom for all passengers, with the second-row captain's chairs in our test model being particularly spacious.

On the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, space was also abundant. It offered generous room in all rows, with the possibility to seat six or seven depending on the configuration. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, while a 60/40 split bench seat was optional. The interior was equipped with a number of USB ports, a sweeping panoramic roof, and large windows that contributed to a comfortable and airy cabin. However, the air vents seemed inadequate, requiring the fan to be turned on high, which was quite loud.

For cargo, the Grand Cherokee L fell short of the Suburban, but not by much. The third-row seats could accommodate an average adult comfortably, and the Grand Cherokee L provided practical storage solutions throughout the cabin, enhancing its functionality on journeys.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM’s intuitive infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, pairing well with the available wireless charging pad. Optional features included a navigation system, rear entertainment system, and head-up display, enhancing convenience for drivers and passengers alike.

In contrast, the 2022 Grand Cherokee L offered a wealth of tech-rich features, particularly in its upper trims. These included massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and an Active Driving Assist system. Navigation could take over the instrument panel, providing detailed directions. Two phones could be connected wirelessly to the infotainment system, while rear-seat passengers could enjoy optional touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other safety and convenience features came standard, solidifying its high-tech appeal.

Additionally, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger in 2022, further improving its infotainment offerings.

Safety was a priority for both vehicles, though the Suburban offered a comprehensive suite of standard and optional features. The standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system allowed parents to set driving limits for young drivers, while optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Unique features like the rear-view camera mirror and the vibrating Safety Alert Seat added to its safety profile.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had yet to be tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it included standard driver aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. Additional standard features were driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. Optional safety features included automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition, making it a well-rounded choice for safety-conscious buyers.