2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced a new seven-passenger model that was different from the existing Grand Cherokee, offering more cargo volume and an additional third-row seat. Essentially, it was an extended-length version of the redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, unmistakably styled with its seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and recognizable lighting arrangements. Jeep provided this model with various trim levels ranging from Laredo to Summit Reserve, with prices between $36,995 and $64,235. The interior of the test vehicle in Summit trim exuded luxury, featuring quilted and perforated leather, genuine wood trim, and extensive tech upgrades. However, some materials didn’t quite match its price tag of $64,770.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, the successor to the Santa Fe XL, stood at the top of Hyundai’s SUV lineup with its classy and striking design. Its exterior included a prominent grille, LED taillights, and a continuous glass strip giving a floating roof illusion. This design didn’t just look good; it felt high-end, similar to luxury brands. Inside, it flaunted an elegant layout with quality finishes, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen on SE and SEL trims and a larger 10.25-inch screen on Limited and Calligraphy trims. The interior space was thoughtfully designed with roomy second-row captain’s chairs or an optional bench seat. The Calligraphy trim was notable for its luxurious touches like Steel Graphite paint and black interior.

Under the hood of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivered 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this configuration could be paired with rear-wheel or one of three 4WD systems, boasting a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds. For those needing more power, a 5.7-liter V8 option was available, producing 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque with a towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds. Despite the robust specs, our V6 4WD test vehicle’s fuel economy and acceleration left something to be desired, averaging 17.8 mpg compared to the expected 21 mpg combined.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade came with a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered smooth, lag-free power delivery, suitable for most family needs. The Palisade's fuel economy estimates reached up to 22 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models. Though not the best in class, the trade-off was the vehicle’s strong performance. The Palisade's handling felt refined, with four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars, plus a self-leveling suspension system in higher trims. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L housed comfort and tech within its spacious interior. With the Summit trim, occupants enjoyed massaging front seats, adjustable captain’s chairs, and a four-zone climate control system. However, during hot weather tests, the small dashboard vents struggled to efficiently cool the cabin. The practical design included 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and up to 84.6 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled as a family vehicle, with comfortable seating across all three rows. The third row offered 18.0 cubic feet of space, which extended to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The Palisade’s clever storage solutions included door bottle holders, a locking glove compartment, and ample center console space. The interior was intuitively laid out, with easy-to-reach controls for the driver and passengers, including an AWD mode selector and a shift-by-wire gear selector.

Jeep's 2021 Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a responsive interface. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a natural voice-recognition system. The test vehicle's 19-speaker McIntosh audio system delivered superb sound quality, enhancing the overall auditory experience. Additional tech goodies included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, and a rear-seat monitoring system.

Hyundai equipped the 2022 Palisade with an advanced infotainment system. Higher trims included a 10.25-inch touchscreen with 630-watt Harman Kardon audio and Clari-Fi music restoration technology, significantly improving sound quality. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multiple USB ports, and Qi wireless charging were standard across various trims. The Palisade offered an extensive suite of connected services through Hyundai's Blue Link system, along with a digital instrument cluster on higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering for highway use, although its steering assistance felt somewhat artificial. Intersection Collision Assist was another notable feature, potentially preventing side-impact collisions at intersections. Additional safety tech included a thermal-imaging night vision system and parallel/perpendicular park assist. However, crash-test ratings were unavailable for this model at the time of review.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted an impressive array of standard and optional safety features. Standard items included seven airbags, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. High-end trims offered advanced features like ultrasonic rear occupant alert and Highway Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane centering. It earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, affirming its safety credentials.