The 2022 Kia Telluride and the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offer plenty of space, technology, and some off-road capability. Here’s how these popular SUVs compare.
2022 Kia Telluride
Above Average: Plenty of room; well-equipped; loads of standard safety features; respectable warranty.
Below Average: No Wi-Fi hotspot; small glovebox.
Consensus: Spacious, affordable, well-equipped, and well-mannered, the 2022 Kia Telluride has plenty to offer.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Above Average: Ritzy interior; excellent safety suite; V6 or V8 engines; 7,200-pound towing capacity.
Below Average: The V8’s fuel economy; third-row seat is just OK; less cargo space than some competitors.
Consensus: The Jeep Grand Cherokee L stretches the Grand Cherokee to make room for the model’s first-ever third-row seat. The redesign also brings a tech-loaded new interior and upscale finishes along with pricing to match. We don’t expect a lot of changes for the 2022 model.
Telluride vs. Grand Cherokee L: Room to Spare
Kia Telluride
With room for up to eight passengers (and seven in higher trims), the 2022 Kia Telluride offers plenty of passenger and cargo space. It offers a wide range of trims from classy mainstream to value-packed near-luxury. The Telluride has been so good that it’s won both our 2021 Best Buy and Best 3-Row Midsize SUV awards over the last year. For 2022 it gets a larger infotainment screen at 10.25 inches and additional standard features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The ride quality is comfortable and agile for the large SUV, and the standard-issue adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist makes long drives easy to manage. The system reads road signs and adjusts the speed as necessary. If you need to do a little offroading the Telluride can handle it thanks to its 8 inches of ground clearance and the all-wheel-drive system.
Inside is ample space for adults (even in the third row). Seats are easy to access whether you have the captain’s chairs layout or the standard bench seat, and the seats are stacked so that everyone in the back can see the road ahead—stadium style. This year, Driver Talk comes standard, which means you don’t have to scream to be heard in the back rows. A Quiet mode also turns off the rear speakers when kids are sleeping.
The Telluride also boasts an impressive suite of standard safety systems. These include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, driver-attention warning, rear-occupant alert, and safe exit assist are also included.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Jeep added third-row seating to the Grand Cherokee, creating the new Grand Cherokee L in 2021. Since it was new last year, we don’t expect a lot of changes to it for 2022.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is 15.1 inches longer than the regular Grand Cherokee and rides on a 7-inch-longer wheelbase — but is still smaller than the Jeep Wagoneer. The upscale cabin seats six, or seven with the optional second-row bench. The second row is roomy, the third is passable. Cargo space is 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.6 with all seats folded.
Standard is Chrysler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 293 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic and rear- or all-wheel drive. A 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 357 hp is optional only on the top-spec model and increases towing capacity from 6,200 to 7,200 pounds. EPA combined fuel economy is 21 mpg for the V6 and 17 mpg for the V8.
The Grand Cherokee L offers three different 4WD systems. The available Quadra-lift air suspension can raise the ride height up to 4.2 inches (for 10.2 inches of ground clearance), and an off-road package includes an electronic limited-slip differential and skidplates.
Jeep offers the Grand Cherokee L in Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trim levels. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is standard, and the central touchscreen has an 8.4-inch or a 10.1-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Leather is on all but the base model. Heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and power liftgate are optional on the Laredo and standard elsewhere.
Similarities
Optional all-wheel drive; standard driver’s assistance features.
2022 Kia Telluride Advantages
Long warranty; ample interior space; well-priced even at the top trim; NHTSA 5-star safety.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Advantages
Optional V8; off-road capability.
Which One is Right for Me?
The 2022 Kia Telluride fits the bill if you’re in the market for a comfortable, affordable, slightly offroad-capable SUV that can carry up to eight passengers and their gear.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is true to the brand’s mission of offering highly capable off-road vehicles. The optional V8 also boasts impressive towing ability.
Ready to buy a Kia Telluride or Jeep Grand Cherokee L? Shop for one on sale now near you
2022 Kia Telluride | Jeep Grand Cherokee L | |
Popular Powertrains | ||
Engine | 3.8-liter V6 | 3.6-liter V6 |
Horsepower | 291 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 293 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
Transmission | 8-spd automatic | 8-spd automatic |
Fuel Economy | 23 mpg (20 city/26 hwy) | 21 mpg (19 city/26 hwy) |
Also Available | AWD | 5.7L V8; AWD |
Specs | ||
Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Powertrain warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | n/a |
Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
Wheelbase | 114.2 inches | 121.7 inches |
Overall Length | 196.9 inches | 204.9 inches |
Width | 78.3 inches | 77.3 inches |
Height | 68.9 inches | 71.5 inches |
Turning Diameter | 38.8 feet | 38.3 feet |
Headroom, Front | 40.9 inches | 39.8 inches |
Headroom, 2nd row | 40.2 inches | 39.9 inches |
Headroom, 3rd row | 38.1 inches | 37.3 inches |
Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 41.3 inches |
Legroom, 2nd row | 42.4 inches | 39.4 inches |
Legroom, 3rd row | 31.4 inches | 30.3 inches |
Shoulder Room, Front | 61.6 inches | 59.2 inches |
Shoulder Room, 2nd row | 61.2 inches | 58.0 inches |
Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 55.3 inches | 51.9 inches |
EPA Passenger Volume | 178.1 cubic feet | 159.1 cubic feet |
EPA Cargo Volume | 87.0 cubic feet | 84.6 cubic feet |