2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its sophistication with a longer body, revised grille, and sporty character lines. The updated LED lighting and new alloy wheel designs contributed to its modern appearance. Inside, the Kona's interior was redesigned for a more spacious look, with ambient lighting adding a touch of elegance. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and exclusive interior features, elevating the Kona's sporty appeal. The Kona N, in particular, stood out with its aggressive design and performance-oriented features, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a dynamic driving experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, maintained Jeep's design traditions while offering a fresh take on the classic SUV. Its styling drew inspiration from the 1963 Wagoneer, with a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered roof pillars. The Grand Cherokee's interior mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, providing a sense of quality and luxury, especially in higher trims like the Summit Reserve. The vehicle's design aimed to improve visibility, enhancing driver confidence both on and off the road. Despite a limited initial selection of paint colours, the Grand Cherokee's design and features made it a versatile and appealing choice for a wide range of drivers.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The base trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower, paired with a CVT. For those seeking more excitement, the N Line trim provided a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine delivering 195 horsepower, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N took performance to the next level with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 276 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona's handling was agile and composed, with AWD enhancing its stability. Despite its compact size, the Kona delivered a spirited driving experience, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered robust performance with its 4WD drivetrain and choice of V6 or V8 engines. The standard 3.6-litre V6 engine produced 293 horsepower, while the available 5.7-litre V8 delivered 357 horsepower, enhancing towing capacity. The Grand Cherokee featured three 4WD systems, catering to different off-roading needs. The Trailhawk trim, equipped with Quadra-Drive II, excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing the Grand Cherokee's capability. The SUV's ride quality was excellent, with or without the Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Grand Cherokee's performance was versatile, making it suitable for both on-road and off-road adventures.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, offered a comfortable front-seat experience with ample headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats provided excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat space was limited, with small door openings and compromised head- and legroom. Cargo space was tight, with 544 litres available with all seats up, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. The Kona's compact dimensions made it less suitable for carrying larger loads or accommodating rear passengers comfortably.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable experience for front-seat occupants, with heated seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. Higher trims offered additional luxuries like ventilated seats and massagers. Visibility was improved, enhancing driver confidence. Rear-seat space was tight for taller passengers, but the Grand Cherokee L offered more legroom. Cargo space was generous, with 1,067 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,004 litres with the seats folded. The Grand Cherokee's interior was versatile, accommodating both passengers and cargo effectively.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an upgraded tech suite, starting with an 8-inch display and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a premium audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, with Hyundai BlueLink providing connected services. The tech offerings made the Kona a competitive choice in its segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a head-up display, Night Vision system, and multiple touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available in most trims. The Grand Cherokee's tech suite included a front passenger interactive display, enhancing convenience and entertainment. The advanced technology made the Grand Cherokee a leader in its class.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered essential safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash protection. However, the child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing the Kona from achieving Top Safety Pick status.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and full-speed forward collision warning. The new Active Driving Assist system provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance. The Grand Cherokee's safety structure was composed of high-strength materials, enhancing crash protection. While crash-test results were pending, the Grand Cherokee's safety features and design improvements were promising.