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Jeep has always been the adventurer’s go-to car manufacturer. With excellent off-road abilities, rugged frames, and many four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive options, Jeeps are fun vehicles that are ready for anything. The Jeep family itself contains a dynamic lineup. When you look at its smallest offerings compared to its largest, you almost wouldn’t know that the two came from the same brand if it weren’t for that iconic box-like shape and signature Jeep grille. If you have decided to purchase a used Jeep for sale because you plan on exploring roads less traveled, you could find yourself stuck deciding between one of the brand’s massive offerings or one of its more compact models.
So, let’s compare the smallest Jeep on the market, the Renegade, and its largest SUV for now, the Grand Cherokee L, to see how different they really are. For this piece, we are going to look at the specs of the 2022 models, which have been hitting our used lot more and more in the past few months as 2023 models are being announced. Getting a 2022 Jeep could mean used car prices with just about the most up-to-date technology available from the brand. Without further ado, let’s look at the massive Jeep Grand Cherokee L versus the compact Jeep Renegade.
The 2022 Grand Cherokee L
Passenger and Cargo Space
The Grand Cherokee L is a three-row SUV with seating for up to seven. You can opt for either a bench seat in the second row to achieve those full seven seats or get comfortable and spacious captain’s chairs in the second row and max out at six luxurious seats. If you need seating for up a lot of passengers, the Grand Cherokee L is the way to go. (By the way, Jeep makes a regular Cherokee with just two rows of seating and similar features and capabilities). As for choosing between bench seats or captains’ chairs in the second row, bench seats are fine if you’ll mostly be transporting kids. However, if you have long road trips planned with adults, you might want to stick to the captains’ chairs to give everyone ample room.
At just over 204 inches long, 71.5 inches tall, and boasting 152 cubic feet of passenger volume, the Grand Cherokee L is very spacious. Its cabin feels not unlike a mini living room, and you’ll feel a comfortable sense of separation between you and the outside world. Passengers will enjoy ample head and legroom, too. Plus, it provides 17.2 cubic feet of trunk space behind the third row. The back rows fold to make room for even more stuff; 46.9 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 84.6 cubic feet when all the seats are down. Plus, you’ll find convenient cubbies throughout the cabin. If you need space, this is the SUV for you.
Comfort and Luxury
The inside of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is noticeably pretty. Higher trims enjoy things like leather upholstery, high-tech displays, and wood trim. You’ll even find massaging front seats on the premium trims that will make you never want to get out of the vehicle. It has a good-size 8.4 or 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen as well as built-in navigation with real-time weather and traffic updates to help you stay in the know about what’s happening on the road ahead. Smartphone compatibility comes standard, letting you use your favorite apps in the SUV, as does SiriusXM satellite radio.
Performance
The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L has two engine options––a 290 horsepower V6 or a 357 horsepower V8. You can opt for rear or four-wheel drive with the V6, but the V8 only comes with four-wheel drive. The V8 engine can tow up to 7,200 pounds, while its V6 can handle towing 6,200 pounds maximum. Expect smooth handling in both and an eight-speed automatic transmission. As for fuel economy, it’s modest, as to be expected for a vehicle of this size. With the V6, you’ll get 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive. For the V8, fuel economy drops to 14 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway.
The 2022 Jeep Renegade
Passenger and Cargo Space
The 2022 Jeep Renegade is Jeep’s sporty subcompact SUV. With a starting MSRP far less than that of the Grand Cherokee L, it is the more budget-friendly option. The massive price cut makes sense once you know that this pip-squeak is just 166.6 inches long, 66.5 inches tall, and has a modest passenger volume of 100 cubic feet. As a refresher, the Grand Cherokee L is several feet longer, about half a foot taller, and boasts a passenger volume that outpaces the Renegades by over 50 cubic feet. Not to mention, the Renegade has a maximum of 50.8 cubic feet of cargo area, which can’t compete with the 84.6 cubic feet of the Grand Cherokee L. When we say this is a small Jeep, we mean it, but that’s what it is supposed to be.
The Renegade is an admittedly simple vehicle. You aren’t going to see all the bells and whistles found in the Grand Cherokee L, but then again, you aren’t supposed to because that’s not what the Renegade is designed for. However, there is one thing that the Renegade has going for it that the Grand Cherokee L does not: the Trailhawk trim. What it lacks in luxury materials, power, and space, it makes up for with off-road-ready features that will help you tackle tough roads and uneven surfaces with some impressive command.
Comfort and Luxury
We don’t want to say that the Renegade doesn’t have any comfort or luxury features, but we’ll say this: if those features are a priority for you, look at the Grand Cherokee L instead. The Renegade has been criticized for slightly low-quality interior materials, even on upper trims. It does, however, have smartphone compatibility and standard SiriusXM radio, like the Grand Cherokee L, and it gets built-in navigation, too. There aren’t many storage cubbies and compartments in this vehicle, so be prepared to keep your road trip essentials in your lap. Luckily, the rear seats do fold down for times you’re fine with transporting just one passenger and more gear.
Performance
The Renegade has just one engine option, which is a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. You can, should you choose, tow up to 2,000 pounds, which is great for bringing along small recreational equipment. This engine does get some nice fuel economy points, though, achieving 24 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive, which far surpasses anything offered on the Grand Cherokee L. Even four-wheel models still see a nice 23 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway.
Large and Luxury or Small and Efficient
So, here’s our take on these two options. If you need a vehicle that has high-end materials, a super spacious, comfortable, and luxury-feeling cabin, great engines, and lots of cargo, then, you want the Grand Cherokee L. Also, if you need space for seven passengers, this is the model you are going to need to get. However, those great features come at a higher cost than the Renegade, and the really great ones on the premium trims come at an even higher cost. If you’re willing to pay it, you’ll find the three-row SUV is a pleasure to drive and simply to be in.
If you are looking for a highly capable, sporty-handling, off-road-ready, and affordable option, the Renegade is your best bet. Its price tag is hard to resist, and if you plan on leaving paved roads, you almost have to choose this one for the Trailhawk trim. Giving you great capability for an affordable price, the Renegade is an excellent small Jeep model. Which one will work best for you? Come down to Spirit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to check out both options and find a used model that has all the features you want and need.
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