What’s the difference between the 2022 Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee? Although these Jeeps share a name, each has its own unique selling points! Let’s take a closer look at Jeep’s small SUV, the Cherokee, versus its midsize SUV, the Grand Cherokee.
Price
The smaller 2022 Jeep Cherokee will help you snag the lower price, thanks to its starting MSRP of $34,895. The slightly bigger and more powerful Grand Cherokee features a slightly steeper price tag, starting at $38,720.
Interior Space & Comfort Features
Both the Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee are available as five trim models, so you can choose the level of luxury you desire. The Cherokee comes standard with winter-friendly features, such as heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Grand Cherokee treats you to standard dual-zone automatic climate control. Although these models don’t share the same standard lineups, you can option them with essentially the same comfort features.
The Grand Cherokee cabin is slightly wider than that of the Cherokee, but only by a few inches. In spite of being the smaller model, though, the Cherokee actually offers 2 inches of extra legroom. Otherwise, these Jeep SUVs are pretty comparable when it comes to passenger space.
A midsize SUV like the Grand Cherokee gives you a major advantage in the cargo department. Behind the rear seats, this midsize Jeep offers 37.7 cubic feet for your outdoor gear and family-sized grocery hauls. Meanwhile, the smaller Jeep Cherokee offers 25.8 cubic feet behind its rear seats, which may be more than enough for your needs.
Safety & Technology
When it comes to infotainment, these Jeeps have more in common than not. Both feature standard infotainment systems with 8.4-inch touchscreen and smartphone connectivity, via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Although these Jeeps essentially offer the same safety aids, availability varies according to model and trim level. The bigger Jeep Grand Cherokee treats you to more standard safety features, with:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane keeping assist
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear parking sensors with automatic emergency braking
The smaller Cherokee comes standard with three of these:
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane keeping assist
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
Adaptive cruise control is available, depending on which Cherokee trim model you select.
Power & Performance
Each of these Jeep SUVs offers three engines, so you can choose a thriftier or more powerful option.
The 2022 Jeep Cherokee is the smaller and thriftier gas-powered option. However, its thrifty turbocharged engine also manages to give you 270 horsepower, a great combination of efficiency and power. Choose the V6 engine to tow the Cherokee’s max rating of up to 4,500 pounds.
- 2.4L four-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 171 lb-ft of torque)
- 3.2L V6 (271 hp, 239 lb-ft)
- Turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 295 lb-ft)
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Optional four-wheel drive
- Up to 26 MPG combined (with turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine)
- 4,500 lbs max towing
As you also may have intuited, the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee is both more powerful and increasingly capable. Its standard V6 will get you where you want to go, and it can also help you tow up to 6,200 pounds. The available V8 takes the Grand Cherokee’s capabilities to the next level, whether off-road or towing, with a maximum rating of 7,200 pounds.
Then there’s the Grand Cherokee’s optional 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is very efficient, delivering up to 56 MPGe. When the hybrid battery runs out of juice, the powertrain runs on gas alone, returning 23 mpg combined.
- 3.6L V6 (293 hp, 260 lb-ft)
- 2.0L four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain, aka 4xe (375 hp, 470 lb-ft)
- 5.7-L V8 (357 hp, 390 lb-ft)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Optional four-wheel drive
- Up to 56 MPGe combined (4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain)
- 7,200 lbs max towing
The Best Jeep for You
The 2022 Jeep Cherokee is the thriftier option (in terms of gas-powered engines, anyway). And as a smaller SUV, it’s also more city-friendly. The Cherokee can also tow some pretty big toys, including a wave runner. Inside, you’ll find plenty of comfort features and road-trip-ready seating.
With the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you spend a little more, but you also enjoy more power and greater towing capabilities. And this SUV is a bit sportier, with your choice of rear- or four-wheel drive. If you plan to do a lot of traveling, its bigger cargo area can accommodate you.