2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

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 straddled the line between 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, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with premium materials, though the design was beginning to show its age with outdated switchgear and component fits.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a new era for Hyundai's electrified mobility, standing out with its futuristic design. The Ioniq 5's exterior was a blend of minimal character lines and intricate Parametric Pixel design elements, giving it a concept car-like appearance. The interior, however, was a departure from the exterior's complexity, offering a "Living Space" theme with a mellow and comfortable environment. The cabin featured sustainable materials and innovative design elements like a moveable centre console and a flat floor, enhancing its spaciousness and usability. The Ioniq 5's design was both futuristic and practical, making it a standout in the EV market.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology aimed to improve 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 suitable for daily driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations and three powertrains, with the base model featuring a 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor producing 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant increased power to 225 hp and offered a range of 488 kilometres. The AWD option added a dual-motor system with a total power output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range dropped to 414 km. The Ioniq 5's performance was middle-of-the-road for a midsize crossover, with Sport mode adding some excitement at the cost of range. The vehicle's regenerative braking system and quiet cabin further enhanced the driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped interior, though the rear seat offered limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia, but large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped alleviate this. The Grand Cherokee provided 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 1,934 litres when the second-row seats were folded. However, the interior storage was limited, and the rear-seat entertainment system took up valuable space in the centre console bin.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform, offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5's total interior volume of 3,786 litres exceeded that of its competitors, though its rear cargo space was smaller at 770 litres. The "Living Space" theme was evident in the soft touchpoints and moveable centre console, which allowed for easy entry and exit from either front door. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, providing a pleasant driving experience for both slim and larger drivers.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was considered "tech lite," with essential features but lacking the advanced technology of newer models.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted impressive technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and offered a redesigned Blue Link app for EV charge management. The Ioniq 5 featured 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, with anti-glare coating for clear visibility. The vehicle's technology was both innovative and user-friendly, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall 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 Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, but the Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were a concern.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. While official safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested the Ioniq 5 would perform well in safety tests.