2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of design elements, sitting somewhere between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille and distinctive vertical taillights, but its compact footprint and tall profile created an awkward aesthetic. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered different exterior styling, with the former showcasing bright chrome for a classic Cadillac look, while the latter embraced darker trim and a mesh grille for a sportier appearance. The interior, although luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to its competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained its classic style while extending its length by over 30 centimetres. The High Altitude package on our test model added bold black accents and dark grey 21-inch wheels, enhancing its upscale appearance. The interior of the upper trims was impressive, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements, although some hard plastics and rougher-grained leather were present. The Grand Cherokee L offered a solid and sophisticated look, with modern elements like slim LED lighting and a mild curve to the roofline, ensuring it remained stylish and ready for the future.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided a smooth and linear power delivery, making it suitable for everyday driving. The optional performance suspension with adaptive dampers offered a comfortable ride, cushioning bumps while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without requiring constant corrections, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, was considered its weakest element. The optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was recommended for better performance, especially for towing. The V8 also offered a fantastic sound. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, with air suspension allowing for smooth cornering and a pliable ride. The steering, while not the quickest, was adequate for most driving situations. The SUV's 4WD systems and air suspension offered impressive off-road capabilities, making it tougher than most competitors.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered favourable interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows, although the seats were not as comfortable as expected for a luxury vehicle. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing its German rivals. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen offered additional storage.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended wheelbase provided ample legroom for second-row passengers, with standard second-row captain's chairs and an optional 60/40 bench seat. The third row, while tight for adults, was suitable for children. Cargo space was generous, with 481 litres behind the three rows, 1,330 litres behind the second row, and 2,407 litres with both rows folded. The Grand Cherokee L offered excellent visibility from the driver's seat, although some legibility issues were noted with the infotainment system's graphics and text.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display. While the infotainment system was an improvement over previous versions, it still lagged behind competitors in terms of screen size and graphics. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality, enhanced by the XT5's quiet interior.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, with Uconnect 5 providing a generally quick and easy-to-use interface. The 19-speaker McIntosh sound system, while good, lacked surround imaging from the rear speakers. The Grand Cherokee L's tech features included night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that allowed for independent video and music playback. The SUV's tech offerings were extensive, providing features that many competitors lacked.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, although it received a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for models built after May 2023 and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features on higher trims included front cross-traffic braking and 360-degree cameras. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, ensuring peace of mind for drivers and passengers.