2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Ford Expedition

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it defied easy categorization, fitting into mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, with its 5.7-litre V8 engine and premium features, offered a luxurious experience, though the interior showed signs of aging with outdated switchgear and component fits.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent significant updates, including exterior styling revisions and updated infotainment technology. The new grille, headlights, and bumper gave it a fresh look, while redesigned wheels were introduced across the lineup. The Expedition offered a standard 4WD drivetrain in Canada, with XLT, Limited, and Platinum trims available in standard and extended-length body styles. The Timberline trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with all-terrain tires and suspension modifications. Inside, the Expedition featured a redesigned dashboard with the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, offering a modern and sophisticated experience. The Limited Stealth Edition, with its sport-tuned suspension and 22-inch wheels, provided a stylish and comfortable ride, though the ride quality could be harsh on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity of up to 2,818 kilograms and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine produced 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension provided excellent off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in urban environments.

The 2022 Ford Expedition was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering a towing capacity of up to 4,173 kilograms. The Expedition's fuel economy ranged from 12.9 to 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Stealth Edition Performance Package increased power output to 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. The Expedition's driving dynamics were enhanced by its sport-tuned suspension, though the ride quality could be harsh on uneven surfaces. The SUV's excellent visibility and parking aids made it easy to maneuver in urban settings, while its spacious cabin and comfortable ride made it ideal for long road trips.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped interior. The front seats provided eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, with a maximum capacity of 1,934 litres. Interior storage was adequate, though the rear-seat entertainment system took up space in the centre console bin.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior space and comfort, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and climate controls, while the third-row seat offered power recline and USB ports. The Expedition's cargo space measured 546 litres behind the third row, with a maximum capacity of 2,961 litres. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo space, with 972 litres behind the third row and a maximum capacity of 3,439 litres. The SUV's electric running boards made it easy to enter and exit, while its spacious cabin and panoramic glass roof enhanced the overall experience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Grand Cherokee's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential technology features, it lacked the advanced digital capabilities of newer models.

The 2022 Ford Expedition introduced the Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with a 12-inch or 15.5-inch touchscreen display. The systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and FordPass Connect with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Sync 4A system featured an upgraded voice-recognition system and an adaptive dashcard user interface. The Expedition's technology package included Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 and an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV. While the Sync 4A system was sophisticated, it had some quirks, such as accidental activation of the defroster function and issues with Apple CarPlay.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS testing was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. The ParkSense parking assistance system helped with parallel and perpendicular parking.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured the Ford Co-Pilot360 package, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, and intersection assist. The Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package included a surround-view camera system and rear automatic emergency braking. The Expedition also offered BlueCruise hands-free driving technology for approved highways. While the adaptive cruise control performed well, the lane-centring assist had some issues, such as steering the vehicle to the side of the lane and issuing unnecessary warnings.