2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Hyundai Venue

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was a stylish little crossover that seemed to defy the passage of time with its design. Its upright stance, almost horizontal roofline, and steeply dropping tailgate gave it a unique presence that belied its small size. The grille was appropriately sized, drawing attention without overwhelming the overall design. The Venue's exterior updates from the 2020 model were minimal, with the most notable change being the replacement of 15-inch steel wheels with alloys on the base SE trim. The top-line Denim trim, with its white roof and unique paint job, was particularly appealing to those drawn to the Venue's fashion-forward style. Inside, the Venue offered a modern look despite its low-cost build, with plenty of light entering the cabin through thin A-pillars and big windows. However, the use of inexpensive materials was evident, with plastic dominating the interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an elegant and recognizable Jeep from any angle. Its design seamlessly integrated the extra length needed to accommodate a third row of seats, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L's exterior featured modernized lighting, improved paint finish, and better panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, enhancing the vehicle's impressive appearance. Inside, the Grand Cherokee L offered a luxurious experience with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The interior layout and tactile quality were reminiscent of a Mercedes, providing a sense of luxury and comfort. The Grand Cherokee L's spacious interior accommodated passengers comfortably, even in the third row, and offered a sweeping panoramic roof and ample USB ports for convenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This small, economical engine was designed to provide just enough power for the Venue's lightweight frame, which weighed in at 2,612 pounds. The Venue's performance was comparable to competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Ford EcoSport, and Toyota C-HR, although it was the smallest and lightest among them. The Venue was only available with front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) was the sole transmission option for 2021. While the Venue's powertrain didn't offer thrilling performance, its lightweight design allowed for a lively driving experience in lower-speed areas.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it struggled to provide sufficient power for the Grand Cherokee L's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, offering a more satisfying driving experience. The Grand Cherokee L also featured a 4xe plug-in hybrid option, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was a standout feature, providing stellar ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee L's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds for rear-wheel-drive models to 7,200 pounds with four-wheel drive.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue offered a surprisingly spacious front cabin, with ample headroom and legroom for its size. Storage space was decent, with a handy tray ahead of the gear selector and a small center console bin. However, the back seat was tighter, with limited legroom for adults on longer journeys. Cargo space was also limited, with 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 31.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Compared to competitors like the Nissan Kicks, Toyota C-HR, and Ford EcoSport, the Venue offered less cargo volume, making it less suitable for those prioritizing storage capacity.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L excelled in interior space and functionality. Its Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured a sleek and straightforward interface, with physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Grand Cherokee L offered plenty of space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with a panoramic roof, large windows, and ample USB ports. However, the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which could be noisy.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering high resolution and responsive swipe functionality. Physical buttons provided quick access to media sources, navigation, and settings, while Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard features. The Venue's infotainment system allowed for driver profile customization, appealing to families with multiple drivers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a wealth of technology features, especially on upper trims. These included multiple massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, and a 360-degree camera system. The Uconnect system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to connect two phones simultaneously. New for 2022, the Grand Cherokee L offered an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.

The 2021 Hyundai Venue came equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning. The SEL and Denim trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. In crash tests, the Venue received four out of five stars in the NHTSA's driver-side and passenger-side front collision tests, as well as for rollover.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. The Grand Cherokee L also featured a range of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.