2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new addition to the Jeep lineup, distinct from the existing Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming 2022 redesign, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo space. Despite the potential confusion of its model year designation, the Grand Cherokee L was expected to sell well due to its appealing styling, reminiscent of the more expensive Wagoneer models. The SUV maintained classic Jeep design elements, such as the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches, ensuring it was instantly recognizable. Available in multiple trims, the Grand Cherokee L offered a range of prices, with the Summit trim providing a luxurious interior with quilted leather and real wood trim, though some materials did not meet the high expectations set by its price.

The 2022 Kia Telluride continued to impress with its muscular design and balanced proportions, maintaining its status as a handsome midsize SUV. Kia made minimal changes to the Telluride's exterior, focusing on a new grille pattern and updated badges. The Telluride was available in four trims, with pricing starting at $32,790. The interior was well-designed, with logical control placement and high-quality materials, especially in the SX Prestige trim, which featured Nappa leather and a simulated suede headliner. Despite some glossy plastic elements, the Telluride offered a range of new standard features for 2022, including a larger touchscreen infotainment system and advanced driving aids, making it a strong contender in its class.

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 or a choice of three 4WD systems, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. The optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with certain trims and 4WD, increased power to 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, boosting towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. However, this upgrade reduced fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L's V6 engine provided brisk acceleration but was noisy at high revs. The SUV featured various driving modes, including Sport and off-road settings, and its Quadra-Lift suspension offered adjustable ground clearance. The Grand Cherokee L excelled in off-road capability, particularly in the Trail Rated Overland model with the Off-Road Group.

The 2022 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available for enhanced traction. The Telluride offered a smooth and comfortable ride, with driving modes such as Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport. Its brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system contributed to its good handling on dry pavement. The Telluride's ride quality was supple, allowing for some body roll in corners but providing a smooth overall experience. On the highway, the Telluride was a capable cruiser, achieving an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving with AWD. Its towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for moderate towing needs.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a comfortable interior, especially in the Summit trim, which featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, along with a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were small, making it difficult to quickly cool the cabin. The second row featured captain's chairs with ample legroom, and the third row was surprisingly comfortable for adults. The Grand Cherokee L provided limited storage space for front-seat occupants but included a useful storage console for second-row passengers. Cargo space was competitive, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with an upscale interior design and practical features. It included thoughtful details like overhead air vents, rear smartphone storage pouches, and USB ports in all three rows. The Telluride's interior materials were high-quality, especially in the SX Prestige trim with Nappa leather and a simulated suede headliner. The SUV offered comfortable seating for adults in all three rows, though the third row was less preferred. The Telluride provided ample storage space, with 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with seats folded. Its flat load floor made it easy to transport large items.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided excellent sound quality, though its design clashed with the interior. Additional features included a digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display was visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Kia Telluride came standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including navigation and voice recognition. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The Telluride offered USB charging ports in all rows and a wireless smartphone charging pad in most trims. Kia Connect provided connected services, including emergency assistance, remote engine start, and smart speaker integration. The Telluride also featured a Quiet Mode for playing music only through the front speakers and a Driver Talk function for communicating with rear-seat passengers. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. While effective, the system's steering assist felt artificial. The Grand Cherokee L also offered Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats at intersections and apply brakes if necessary. Additional safety features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review, but improvements were expected over the previous model.

The 2022 Kia Telluride prioritized safety with standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under Kia Drive Wise. Features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, though it required hands-on steering. The Telluride also featured Smart Cruise Control-Curve, which used GPS data to adjust speed for upcoming curves. Safe Exit Assist warned occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.