2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped somewhat, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't compete visually with models like the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. The 2021 GLE's cabin was a masterpiece of quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior was both loud and luxurious, surpassing even Porsche and Audi in terms of opulence. The twin arching grab handles, LED lighting, and a mix of wood, metal, leather, and suede made the interior a delight to touch and operate.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, on the other hand, was praised for its elegant and recognizable Jeep design. The L model was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodating a third row of seats and offering more second-row legroom. The seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and modernized lighting gave it a distinctive Jeep look. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing its visual appeal. The interior was equally impressive, featuring dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The layout and tactile quality were on par with luxury brands, making it feel like money well spent.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle with a complex suspension and engine setup. The base GLE 350 used a coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 featured self-leveling air springs. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control systems offered advanced features like adaptive dampers, anti-roll bars with electrohydraulic motors, and the ability to lean into turns. The GLE 53 Coupe had an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, while the GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S offered twin-turbo V8 engines with up to 603 hp. All GLE models, except the base GLE 350, were hybrids with a 48-volt battery system. Fuel efficiency varied, with the GLE 450 returning 21/26/23 mpg and the GLE 350 4Matic at 19/26/22 mpg. The GLE could tow up to 7,700 pounds and offered exceptional ride quality and steering.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but it felt insufficient for a vehicle this heavy. The V8, available only on higher trims, offered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 4xe plug-in hybrid, which paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack, provided 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the V6 was 18/25/21 mpg, while the V8 returned 14/22/17 mpg. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, offering ride composure and steering feel that were incredibly taut and direct. The optional air suspension provided five ride height settings, making it versatile for various terrains. The Grand Cherokee L could tow up to 7,200 pounds with 4WD.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was a roomy two-row SUV with an optional third row, allowing seating for seven. The second-row seats had power controls for recline, fore-aft, and headrest adjustments. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The Coupe version offered less space, with 23 and 61 cubic feet, respectively. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability with a single touchpad and a simplified interface. Seat controls on the doors and rocker switches on the center console were easy to use, but the thumbpads on the steering wheel were fussier.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. Physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions were easy to use. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced comfort. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was quite loud.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures. The system included a Track Pace app for AMG models, Seat Kinetics for small adjustments while driving, and various luxury features like heated armrests and bolsters that inflated when steering. The head-up display and instrument panel were highly customizable, and the ambient lighting offered 64 colors. The navigation system projected the front camera feed with overlay arrows and street names. The GLE also had a natural voice assistant that responded to "Mercedes" and could learn new commands.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and Active Driving Assist. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other driver aids were standard, while features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition were available on higher trims. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and featured standard forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, evasive steering assist, and semi-automated control. The GLE also had Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side for added safety in a crash.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. Various driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were also standard.