Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the Grand Cherokee L.

Both the CX-9 and the Grand Cherokee L have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-9 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 93 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Grand Cherokee L has not been tested, yet.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the CX-9 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the Grand Cherokee L.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-9’s reliability 50 points higher than the Grand Cherokee L.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. With 19 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Jeep.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 60 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 260) than the Grand Cherokee L’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-9 is faster than the Jeep Grand Cherokee L V6:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee L:

The CX-9 stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee L:

The CX-9 Signature handles at .85 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee L Overland 4x4 pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Grand Cherokee L Overland 4x4 (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Grand Cherokee L Laredo/Limited (8.8 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-9 is 5.5 inches shorter than the Grand Cherokee L, making the CX-9 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-9 has 1.1 inches more rear hip room, .1 inches more rear shoulder room and 1.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Grand Cherokee L.

The front step up height for the CX-9 is 1.9 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee L (18.3” vs. 20.2”). The CX-9’s rear step up height is 1.4 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee L’s (18.8” vs. 20.2”).

The CX-9’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.

The CX-9’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Grand Cherokee L’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Grand Cherokee L’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-9 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Grand Cherokee L.

Insurance will cost less for the CX-9 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-9 will cost $290 less than the Grand Cherokee L over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-9, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L isn't recommended.

The CX-9 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 4 of the last 15 years. The Grand Cherokee L has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.