2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the model’s length by 11.4 inches compared to the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, which allowed it to accommodate a third row of seats. The wheelbase also stretched by five inches, providing more second-row legroom and wider rear doors. Jeep introduced this longer version first as a 2021 model and waited almost a year to release the two-row counterpart. This decision made the L feel well-integrated, giving the impression that it added to the vehicle’s overall aesthetic rather than looking cumbersome. The L's seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end were unmistakably Jeep. It featured modern, slimmer, and brighter lighting, and its paint finish and panel fit showed significant improvement. Across various trims, the Grand Cherokee L appeared impressive. The Summit and Summit Reserve trims stood out with black roofs, larger wheels, and chrome accents. New exterior paint options for 2022 included Ember, Hydro Blue, and Midnight Sky. Inside, the Jeep matched its high price tag, offering dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, effectively evoking a luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade towered nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground, requiring 18 to 19 feet of length for parking. While it shared its three-ton body with the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, the Escalade was meant to be seen, whether driven by pop musicians, federal agents, or large families. Despite its massive size, Cadillac designed the Escalade to appear athletic and trim, especially with thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights. The optional Sport Platinum trim featured darkened chrome bits, enhancing its visual appeal by masking its mass. Cadillac incorporated sleek horizontal lines and contours to give the Escalade a semblance of aerodynamics. Available in six trims, all with 22-inch wheels and elaborate lighting sequences, the Escalade sported distinct grille designs. The Sport trims had black honeycomb mesh grilles, while the Luxury trims featured star-studded designs, and the Platinum trims had a bolder look. The Escalade V-Series, identifiable by quad exhaust tips, red brake calipers, and an open lower grille, offered a stealthy appearance.

Inside, the Escalade was luxurious at the front, with a 38-inch curved OLED screen array stretching across the dashboard. The base Luxury trim featured leatherette upholstery, while higher trims offered single- and two-tone leather combinations with intricate details such as perforations forming checker patterns. Some trims also included a wool-like fabric on the dashboard and doors. Despite the opulence in the front, the second and third rows lacked the same level of luxury, feeling more like those in cheaper GM vehicles. The Escalade’s seats, though visually appealing, were flat and unsupportive, sharing similarities with those in Chevy Silverado pickups.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. These engines could power either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) models. A 48-volt hybrid system, available in Ram pickup trucks, was not an option for the Grand Cherokee. Instead, Jeep offered the advanced 4xe plug-in hybrid, pairing a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, providing emissions-free 4WD and impressive outputs of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

The V6 engine with 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque proved insufficient for a vehicle of the Grand Cherokee L's size, struggling when fully loaded and lacking smoothness under acceleration. The transmission's early upshifts exacerbated the problem. The V8, offering 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, provided a better driving experience with a more satisfying sound. Fuel economy stood at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined for the V6, while the V8 managed 14/22/17 mpg.

What saved the Grand Cherokee L was its stellar chassis, providing taut and direct ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension allowed for adjustable ride heights and impressive ride comfort, varying from extremely soft to firm. The vehicle excelled in handling and steering precision, improving upon its predecessors.

By comparison, the 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a more enjoyable drive, starting with the standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission, was suitable for gentle cruising and moderate towing of up to 8,200 pounds (RWD). However, it didn’t make the Escalade feel particularly agile. The Cadillac Escalade-V, with its supercharged Corvette V8, delivered a massive 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque, solving the acceleration issues but perhaps overdoing it.

An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, boasting torque similar to the regular V8, provided a smooth ride with better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined with 4WD.

The Escalade’s 4WD system, more rudimentary than those in conventional SUVs, relied on a center differential that locked torque 50:50 front to rear. The system required manual engagement for low-traction situations. The Escalade excelled with magnetic dampers and an optional air suspension, reducing body roll and providing accurate steering.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. It separated climate and seat controls from the touchscreen, ensuring easy operation. Physical switches provided satisfying tactile feedback. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Despite minor legibility issues and occasional lag, the system was user-friendly.

With three rows, the Grand Cherokee L offered ample space. The third row could accommodate average adults comfortably for extended periods. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated six-person seating, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. Large windows, a panoramic roof, and ample USB ports enhanced the traveling experience. However, the air vents were somewhat inadequate, forcing the driver to use the loud fan on high to cool the cabin.

The Escalade’s interior was marvelously spacious, boasting 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and an impressive 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV version offered even more room with a maximum of 143 cubic feet. The space efficiency was made possible by an independent rear suspension, allowing for generous headroom and legroom across all rows. The Escalade accommodated six adults comfortably without space constraints.

The controls in the Escalade were intuitive, featuring a configurable touchscreen and a straightforward climate control system. An optional front console refrigerator with two temperature settings added convenience. The power-retractable side steps made vehicle entry and roof access easier. The air suspension could lower the vehicle for easier cargo loading. However, the second-row seats lacked power adjustments, unlike the third row.

In the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, higher trims came packed with premium features: multiple massage modes for the 16-way power-adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and a crystal-clear 360-degree camera system. The Active Driving Assist system excelled at steering the Jeep on marked highways. With navigation taking over the instrument panel and zooming in on the next corner, the Grand Cherokee L made journeys through dark, twisty roads more manageable. New for 2022 were an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens equipped with Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade stood out with its OLED screens, extending across the dashboard, providing unparalleled clarity. The front camera displayed an augmented reality feed on the instrument panel, showing navigation directions upfront. The Super Cruise system, a $2,500 option, was the best hands-free highway driving system, better than Tesla’s. It monitored the driver’s attention, alerting if distraction was detected. Additionally, the Cadillac offered night vision with pedestrian detection and a 36-speaker AKG audio system providing an immersive experience. The front seats offered five different massage modes, while the rear-seat entertainment system could stream popular apps.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS. However, standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and a suite of advanced driver aids.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade received four out of five stars from NHTSA, with a lower rating for front-passenger protection in a frontal crash and rollover resistance. It had five stars in other categories. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.