2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade showcased a design evolution influenced by the Escala concept, particularly evident in its front fascia. However, from the side and rear, the Escalade maintained its traditional styling cues, featuring crisp creases and tall OLED taillights. It was the first time the Escalade sat on standard 22-inch wheels, giving it a commanding presence. The interior offered a luxurious experience, especially in the Premium Luxury trim, with features like a 36-speaker AKG sound system and power-retractable side steps. Despite its high price tag, the Escalade justified its premium with superior materials and craftsmanship, although some plastic elements were less forgivable.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the standard Grand Cherokee by 29 centimetres to accommodate a third row, blending seamlessly into its design. The Grand Cherokee L retained Jeep's signature styling elements, such as the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing its lighting and improving paint and panel fit. The interior was a step up, with high-quality materials like real wood and Palermo leather, offering a luxurious feel akin to a Mercedes. The Grand Cherokee L's design was both elegant and functional, providing ample space and comfort for passengers across all three rows.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered a choice between a standard 6.2-litre V8 engine and a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine. The V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was the preferred choice for its performance and sound, enhanced by a Performance Upgrade Package. The Escalade's ride and handling were significantly improved with a new independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, and 4-Corner Air Ride suspension, providing a smooth and controlled driving experience. The turbo-diesel engine, with 277 horsepower and the same torque as the V8, offered better fuel efficiency, rated at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with two engine options: a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and a 5.7-litre V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6, with 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, while the V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Cherokee L excelled in ride quality and handling, with an optional air suspension offering five ride height settings and impressive off-road capabilities. Fuel efficiency for the V6 was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres combined.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's interior was significantly enhanced by a new independent rear suspension, allowing for a lower floor and increased interior volume. Front-seat occupants enjoyed standard heated seats and available ventilated and massaging seats in higher trims. The second-row offered heated captain's chairs or a bench seat, with improved leg support. The third-row seat was now comfortable for adults, thanks to the lower floor and longer wheelbase. Cargo capacity was generous, with 722 litres behind the third row, expandable to 3,426 litres with all seats folded. The extended-length Escalade ESV offered even more space.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek interface and physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The interior was spacious, with ample room in all three rows, and second-row captain's chairs were standard. A panoramic roof and multiple USB ports enhanced passenger comfort. However, the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be on high, which was noisy. The Grand Cherokee L offered a range of touchscreen sizes, with the higher trims featuring a 10.1-inch display, though some legibility issues were noted.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display for instrumentation and infotainment, offering high pixel density and vibrant colours. While the system was user-friendly, switching between display modes required navigating through menus, which was less than ideal while driving. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though some connectivity issues were noted. The Escalade featured advanced voice recognition and AR navigation, with a 19-speaker AKG sound system standard and an optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system. A head-up display was standard on most trims, providing essential driving information.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, such as massage seats, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. The Uconnect system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to connect two phones simultaneously. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind spot monitoring. The Summit trims added features like automatic parking and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, though lower trims had less impressive sound systems.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade's safety was bolstered by its size and a suite of standard features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The Safety Alert Seat provided haptic feedback for potential hazards. Premium trims added blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. The Escalade's advanced driving assistance systems generally performed well, though there were a couple of false alarms during testing. Cadillac planned to introduce its Super Cruise technology later in the model year, offering hands-free driving on select highways.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by major safety organizations at the time. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. The Grand Cherokee L's safety features were comprehensive, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning included as standard.