The Jeep Grand Cherokee got a complete redesign for 2022, and while Jeep’s mid-size SUV was more than due for an update, it has remained popular with buyers. The redesign brings a much-improved vehicle while retaining the characteristics that have made it so popular in the first place.
That’s a good thing, as an update of a popular model is always risky business for an automaker. Longer, wider, taller and lighter than the outgoing model, the 2022 Grand Cherokee is more spacious inside, and interior quality and materials have been improved. Notably, it still offers plenty of choices, including a passel of trims and a choice of V-6 or V-8 engines, plus a plug-in hybrid coming soon. Buyers are also treated to a broader array of tech and safety features.
Overall, we came away impressed from our first time with the redesigned Grand Cherokee, but there are a few things we think could be improved. Here are five things we like about the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and four areas to fix:
Things We Like:
2. Added Safety Features
The redesign also brings a host of added safety features across the lineup, which were previously available only on upper trims — and even then as optional equipment. All trims now come with blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection.
3. Uconnect 5
The Grand Cherokee gets standard Uconnect 5, the latest version of Stellantis’ excellent infotainment system. Intuitive and quick to respond, the system also retains some hard keys along with knobs for volume and tuning. Upper trims use a 10.1-inch touchscreen with crisp graphics, while lower trims get by with an 8.4-inch screen. Our test vehicle had an optional additional 10.25-inch screen for the front passenger, enabling control of the navigation system, audio controls and viewing of videos without being visible — and distracting — to the driver.
4. Agreeable Powertrain
Our test Grand Cherokee was equipped with a smooth and powerful 357-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission; positively, both carry over from the previous generation. The V-8 is slightly down on power from the old iteration, but it provides more than adequate power and, as a bonus, serves up a nice V-8 rumble while doing its job. Alternatively, the base engine is a 293-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 that also carries over. A PHEV version, the 4xe, is due to arrive in the spring.
5. Road Manners and Handling
While not one of the sportiest SUVs to drive, the Grand Cherokee handles well for its size thanks in part to its rear-wheel-drive platform. Handling is predictable overall without the noticeable understeer of some competing front-drive models. Our tested model had the optional air suspension with semi-active damping, which stiffens the ride somewhat but provides better isolation from bumps and less body roll in corners.
Things We Don’t Like
1. Poor Visibility
Thick A-pillars can interfere with visibility to the front sides, and an obtrusive rearview mirror makes matters worse. Both make the addition of standard blind spot warning and other advanced safety features an even better idea.
2. Thirst for Fuel
In spite of losing 300 pounds and gaining aerodynamic improvements, fuel economy is not a strong suit for the redesigned Grand Cherokee: Models equipped with the V-8 all have four-wheel drive and are EPA-rated at 14/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined. V-6 buyers can choose between RWD or 4WD, and are each EPA-rated at 19/26/22 mpg.
3. Rear-Seat Room
As nice as accommodations are for front passengers, those in the rear don’t fare as well. A low seat cushion mounted close to the floor results in a knees-up riding position. (To help quiet complaints and keep passengers entertained, our test vehicle had a rear-seat entertainment package with monitors on both sides.)
4. Tech Glitches
We’re fans of the Uconnect 5 system, but we did notice a few glitches in our test Grand Cherokee. There was some momentary lag at times, and at one point, we couldn’t get a phone to connect with Apple CarPlay either wirelessly or with a cable. There was also a speed-limit warning that was annoyingly persistent, chiming far longer than necessary.
