2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new seven-passenger model, distinct from the existing five-passenger Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo volume. Despite the potential confusion of its 2021 designation, the Grand Cherokee L's styling was expected to drive strong sales, especially with the arrival of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. The Grand Cherokee L's design was unmistakably Jeep, with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, making it visually appealing across all trim levels.

Jeep offered the Grand Cherokee L in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235, plus a $1,695 destination charge. The test vehicle, a Summit trim with 4WD, metallic paint, and several premium packages, had a sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials didn't meet the high price expectations, the Summit's quilted leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology represented a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a top recommendation for families due to its practical features. The sliding side doors made loading toddlers into rear-facing seats easy, and the third-row seat provided ample comfort for additional passengers. The Odyssey's cargo space was unmatched, offering the same volume as a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded and the second-row seats were removed. Despite the limited number of minivans in the U.S. market, the Odyssey's design and functionality made it a standout choice.

The Odyssey's design adhered to the classic minivan style, with kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels, adding a touch of style. The lineup included LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims, with prices ranging from $33,040 to $48,770, plus a destination charge. The test vehicle, an Odyssey Elite, had a sticker price of $49,995. Starting with the EX-L trim, the Odyssey featured leather upholstery and high-quality materials throughout. The interior design was open and spacious, with a low console and ample storage space, making it a practical and comfortable choice for families.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or three different 4WD systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims and 4WD, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. This upgrade added $3,295 to the price.

The test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration but becoming loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-behaved but sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg during testing, below expectations. The Sport driving mode improved ride control but held revs too high, while additional Selec-Terrain off-road modes included Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability, making the Grand Cherokee L capable off-road.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. Unlike its competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive (AWD) or an electrified powertrain, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg combined. The hybrid Toyota Sienna and plug-in hybrid Chrysler Pacifica offered better fuel economy but were less enjoyable to drive.

The test vehicle, an Odyssey Elite, averaged 22.6 mpg during a standard driving route in Southern California. However, repeated use of the brakes on downhill grades caused pedal vibration and an audible grumble, a common issue with the Odyssey. Despite this, the Odyssey was quick, responsive, and composed, making it enjoyable to drive. However, the brakes needed to be more resistant to heating up on mountain grades to ensure safety when carrying a full load of passengers.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with Summit trim, featuring heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades for added convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for a great view.

The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants, but second-row passengers enjoyed a storage console between the captain's chairs. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 17.2 cubic feet, with a useful storage bin underneath the load floor. Folding the third-row seat down increased cargo capacity to 46.9 cubic feet, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 84.6 cubic feet.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was easy to enter, with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The tri-color floor mats and onboard vacuum cleaner made it easy to keep the interior clean. Storage space was impressive, with numerous places to stash items, including a handy floor tray and a center console tray.

Second-row seat comfort was commendable, with plenty of legroom and a fold-down center section with cupholders. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for easy adjustment and access to the third-row seat. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, with good leg support and foot room. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 32.8 cubic feet, with a well in the floor to prevent items from rolling out. Folding the third-row seat down increased cargo capacity to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats provided a maximum volume of 144.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response and an improved user experience. Two touchscreen sizes were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. The test vehicle had the larger screen, which included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The natural voice-recognition system worked well, though it occasionally provided unexpected results.

The optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system sounded terrific, especially for bass enthusiasts, though the logo didn't fit the interior's vibe. Depending on the trim level, the Grand Cherokee L also offered a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was packed with technology, though its infotainment features were increasingly outclassed by rivals. Starting with the EX trim level, the Odyssey included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Navigation and HondaLink connected services were available on the Touring trim, which also included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology for monitoring and communicating with rear-seat passengers.

The rear-seat entertainment system, standard on Touring trim, featured a single 10.2-inch display screen with media inputs and a "How Much Farther?" app. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. However, the 8-inch touchscreen felt small, and the embedded navigation system required specific voice commands, making it less user-friendly than smartphone-based navigation.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. While the system worked well, the steering assist felt artificial, and lane changes were overly responsive. Jeep planned to upgrade Active Driving Assist to a hands-free system for the 2022 model year. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. Additional driver aids included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.

Crash-test ratings for the Grand Cherokee L were unavailable at the time of the review, but improvements were expected over the previous model.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Odyssey also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the EX trim and higher.

While Honda Sensing provided valuable safety features, it lacked refinement and could respond too sharply to changing driving situations. The blind-spot monitoring system's warning light was poorly placed, and the radar didn't provide sufficient lane-change information. Despite these issues, the Odyssey earned an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).