Compare the2022 Acura MDXVS 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Acura MDX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L doesn’t offer pretensioners for the middle seat belts.

Both the MDX and the Grand Cherokee L have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The MDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Grand Cherokee L’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Grand Cherokee L. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Grand Cherokee L ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the MDX has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the Grand Cherokee L.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 24th.

The MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 257) than the Grand Cherokee L’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the MDX SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the Grand Cherokee L 4x4 V6 (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/25 hwy).

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Grand Cherokee L.

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Cherokee L’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Grand Cherokee L.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than on the Grand Cherokee L.

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 800 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

The MDX is 6.5 inches shorter than the Grand Cherokee L, making the MDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MDX has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear hip room, 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room and 3.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Grand Cherokee L.

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the Grand Cherokee L.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 47% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 28th.

The MDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee L’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Grand Cherokee L can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The MDX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Grand Cherokee L doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Grand Cherokee L.