2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a longer version of the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, extending 29 centimetres to accommodate third-row seating. Its wheelbase was also stretched by 12.7 cm, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. The additional length and mass were seamlessly integrated into the vehicle's design, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated by comparison. Jeep's decision to release the L model first, as an all-new 2021 model, contributed to this perception. The Grand Cherokee L maintained Jeep's signature design elements, such as the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing with slimmer, brighter lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The interior was luxurious, featuring dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and Palermo leather seating, offering a Mercedes-like style and quality.

The 2023 Kia Sportage arrived with a completely redesigned look, drawing comparisons to French automakers like Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen. This new design was exciting and exotic, with standout features like bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar. The Sportage was available in five trim levels in Canada, starting with the LX trim, which offered front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. Inside, Kia opted for durable synthetic leather upholstery, with cloth seats in the base LX trim. The driver enjoyed excellent visibility, thanks to a large front windshield and a low beltline. The dash featured over two feet of display in higher trims, although the cabin included some hard-wearing plastic and piano-black surfaces. Dual-zone full automatic climate control was standard from the EX trim.

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 produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, but it felt underpowered for the vehicle's size, especially when fully loaded. The V8, available on higher trims, delivered 357 hp and 390 lb-ft, providing a more satisfying driving experience. Fuel efficiency for the V6 was rated at 13.0 L/100 km city, 9.4 highway, and 11.3 combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 16.7 L/100 km city, 10.9 highway, and 14.1 combined. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was praised for its ride composure and steering feel, with an optional air suspension offering five ride height settings for various driving conditions. The vehicle's maximum towing capacity was 3,265 kilograms.

The 2023 Kia Sportage introduced hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, but the gas-powered model featured a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive as standard on the LX trim, with all-wheel drive available. The new engine was slightly larger and more powerful than the previous 2.4-litre engine, with improved fuel economy at 9.3 L/100 km city, 7.4 highway, and 8.4 combined with FWD, and 10.4 L/100 km city, 8.5 highway, and 9.5 combined with AWD. While the Sportage was more powerful than the 2022 model, it lacked the turbocharged engine option of the previous generation. The X-Line trim added rugged visual cues but no additional off-road features. The Sportage's AWD system provided adequate power distribution for off-road conditions, with 21 centimetres of ground clearance on AWD models.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and sleek interface. Physical switches separated climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions from the touchscreen, providing ease of use. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L provided ample space in all rows, with captain's chairs as standard in the second row and a 60/40 split bench option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and USB ports enhanced passenger comfort. However, the air vents were small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor. It was 180 mm longer with an 86 mm longer wheelbase, providing more rear-seat legroom and cargo space. The rear seat offered 1,050 mm of legroom and 966 mm of headroom, with 1,121 litres of cargo space behind it, expanding to 2,098 litres with the seat folded down. The front seats featured typical storage options, including a cubby, cupholders, and a centre console bin. A panoramic sunroof was available. The Sportage's technology, however, was overcomplicated, with touch-sensitive HVAC controls that were difficult to use while driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including massage modes for the 16-way power adjustable front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. The Summit trims added automatic parking, intersection collision assist, and a rear-facing camera. The Summit Reserve featured a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system.

The 2023 Kia Sportage boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system on EX-and up trims, paired with a digital instrument cluster on the X-Line Limited. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were wired on the top interface, while the base LX trim offered wireless connectivity. The Sportage included Bluetooth, keyless entry, and wireless charging on higher trims. Rear USB-C charging ports and a Harman Kardon audio system were available on the X-Line Limited. The infotainment system's icons were similar in appearance, making it challenging to use while driving.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, trailer sway control, and various driver aids.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a comprehensive suite of collision-avoidance tech and advanced driver assistance systems as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a backup camera. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The X-Line Limited trim featured blind-view monitor, highway driving assist, parking sensors, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a surround-view camera. The Sportage had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.