2023 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. Despite its car-based crossover design, the Equinox maintained a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia, offering a happy medium between rugged SUVs and more car-like crossovers. The interior featured a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and while materials and fit were decent, the RS model's black interior was too subdued for some tastes.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L retained the classic style of its predecessors while extending its length by over 30 centimetres. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured blacked-out elements and dark gray 21-inch wheels, giving it a bold appearance. The interior of upper trims was impressive, with polished black dash elements, a thick metal gear selector, and diamond-patterned stitching. While not every piece was of luxury-grade quality, the overall feel was justified for a vehicle in its price range. The Grand Cherokee L's design combined quintessential Jeep elements with modern touches, ensuring it remained both tough and upscale.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While the Equinox had more torque than many rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine provided good torque for city driving but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the vehicle wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of competitors like the Honda CR-V.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard engine was the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. While the engine was well-muffled, it lacked low-end torque and felt outdated. An optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 offered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving towing capacity and providing a fantastic sound. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was solid, offering confident handling, especially with air suspension. The steering could have been quicker, but the overall handling was top-notch. The vehicle featured three different 4WD systems, with permanent 4WD ensuring all four wheels were always engaged.

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 finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with them folded.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended length provided more legroom for second-row passengers, with standard second-row captain's chairs. The third row was tight for adults but 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 sight lines and visibility, with a well-organized control layout. However, some legibility issues were noted in the infotainment system's graphics and text.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, running Uconnect 5. The system was generally quick and easy to use, though some legibility issues were noted. The Grand Cherokee L offered a range of tech features, including night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that could play video and control navigation. The vehicle's tech offerings were extensive, providing features that many competitors lacked.

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 awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more, with additional options available.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and scored five stars in most NHTSA tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking, 360-degree cameras, and night vision on higher trims.