2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the doors forward. This similarity was due to both vehicles sharing a platform with the Odyssey minivan and the Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seating, and featured a more rugged design. Honda's updated styling aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, which was applied across all three trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring. The TrailSport trim, in particular, was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, although it was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained the classic style of its predecessors while extending its length by over 30 centimetres. The High Altitude package added a bold touch with blacked-out elements and dark grey wheels. The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, especially in the upper trims, with features like black leather with gold stitching and walnut accents. Despite some hard plastics, the overall feel was upscale, and the vehicle offered a spacious and comfortable cabin. The Grand Cherokee L's design combined traditional Jeep elements with modern touches, ensuring it remained stylish and durable.

The 2022 Honda Passport was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It featured Honda's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. The Passport offered a firm ride and athletic handling, making it enjoyable to drive on various terrains. However, its brakes were a concern, especially on mountain descents, where they could heat up and vibrate. The Passport's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. While the V6 was considered underwhelming, a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was available, offering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving towing capacity to 3,265 kilograms. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, and its air suspension allowed for adjustable ground clearance. The SUV's 4WD systems were robust, with options like Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Drive II, making it a capable off-road vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. Its interior was spacious, with comfortable seats and ample storage options. The Passport's cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The SUV's simple utility and comfort made it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L benefited from its extended wheelbase, providing more legroom for second-row passengers. It featured standard second-row captain's chairs and an optional third-row bench seat. The third row was best suited for children, while the cargo space was impressive, with 481 litres behind the third row and 2,407 litres with both rows folded. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was well-equipped, with features like a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a power liftgate.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a premium audio system. The system was functional but lacked advanced features, and the navigation system was clunky compared to smartphone integration.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a more advanced tech suite, with an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen depending on the trim. The Uconnect 5 system was user-friendly, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Grand Cherokee L also featured night vision, a head-up display, and a passenger screen, providing a high-tech experience for occupants.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features were less refined, such as the lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023. It received five stars from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features like night vision and 360-degree cameras enhanced safety further.