2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, along with subtle changes to the rear fascia. The headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, giving it a sleeker appearance. The grille appeared more upright and was flanked by large fake air intakes, making the Equinox look chunkier than its predecessor. While it maintained a car-based crossover look, it didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors, offering a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia that made it less car-like than the Ford Escape. The interior featured a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and materials and fit and finish were decent for the price. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the interior felt too subdued.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length to accommodate third-row seats, presented an elegant and recognizable Jeep design. The seven-slot rectangular grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and blunt front end were classic Jeep elements, while modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit enhanced its appeal. The interior was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and Palermo leather seating. Even in all-black, the interior offered enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable. The Grand Cherokee L's design was further elevated by features like a panoramic roof and ample USB ports, though the air vents were small and required the fan to be on high, which was quite loud.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive. While it had more torque than most rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The Equinox excelled in stop-and-go driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but at higher speeds, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were a bit rough, and the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two engine options: a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and a 5.7-litre V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, four-wheel drive was standard, with three different systems available. The V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available on higher trims, offered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, providing a more satisfying performance. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with ride composure and steering feel that were taut and direct. The optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee L's maximum towing capacity was 3,265 kilograms.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was somewhat lacking, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and an unobstructed forward view, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. The climate control buttons were prominently placed, and the cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured a straightforward Uconnect 5 infotainment system with physical switches for climate and stereo functions. The interior offered plenty of space in all rows, with captain's chairs as standard for six-person seating. A panoramic roof and ample USB ports enhanced long journeys, though the air vents were small and required the fan to be on high. The Grand Cherokee L's infotainment system included an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, though some legibility concerns were noted.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose 7-speaker audio system. The infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large, smartphone-like menu icons. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless, with the ability to connect two phones simultaneously. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. The Summit trims added features like automatic parking and a rear-facing camera for the second and third rows. The Summit Reserve came with a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist, with optional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.