For the first time, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has three rows in the form of the Grand Cherokee L three-row SUV. Combining the same good looks with an upscale interior; it’s everything the standard Jeep SUV is, plus more. Despite its luxuriousness, there are a few problems with the interior. Here’s why the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L interior is luxurious but lacking.

The Grand Cherokee L interior is bigger but not big enough

One of the significant benefits of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the size. Compared to the regular Grand Cherokee, the L is bigger inside and out. Even with three rows, the L doesn’t compete with rivals. Unfortunately, being more extensive than its own smaller sibling isn’t good enough. Competitors provide more space throughout the cabin, especially in the third row of seats.

According to MotorTrend, the driver’s seating position at its lowest setting is suitable for an average-sized adult. However, Jeep angles the pedals nearly vertically, making the driver’s foot feel like it “needs to be bent backwards to manipulate the throttle.” Moreover, passengers over six feet tall struggle to fit in the second row, especially if a taller person is in the front seat. Even worse is the third row, which MT says is an uncomfortable location for anyone who exceeds five feet. Intended for children, we wouldn’t plan on putting average-sized adults in the third row when buying the Grand Cherokee L.

Unintuitive controls and features

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is an excellent three-row SUV with many luxurious amenities. Its upscale interior contains convenience features and a top-tier infotainment system. Unfortunately, the controls for all these fantastic items aren’t very user-friendly. For example, the button layout on the steering wheel has buttons on the innermost part of the wheel. As a result, they’re tough to reach if you’re holding the outside of the steering wheel, which is where everyone holds it.

Next, two cruise control buttons are for the standard and adaptive versions. Separate buttons make it easier to know which version you’re using, which is nice. However, both buttons look the same, so an unfamiliar driver or someone quickly pressing the button won’t know which mode is engaged. Additionally, other features like lane keeping, auto stop-start, parking, and more are aligned along the top of the dashboard. Having these items in an easy-to-find location is a good idea, but MT says light on the dashboard reflects on the buttons, and they’re close to impossible to read.

A lacking luxurious interior due to usability issues

On top of the other controls, the infotainment screen and instrument cluster have issues too. MT suggests using the owner’s manual. Usually, infotainment screens are so easy and intuitive that anyone can hop into a car and find everything they want. Instead, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L requires some light reading, which is an annoyance. For example, swapping from a digital speedometer layout to an analog one requires pressing a button on the steering wheel to bring up a menu, then scrolling between the choices—anything requiring that many inputs from a driver is distracting and therefore dangerous.

Other problems include the climate control buttons and touchscreen. Climate buttons are confusingly arranged between two knobs that control the volume on the dashboard. Usually, automakers would separate those to avoid confusion, but that’s not the case in the three-row SUV. Additionally, the touchscreen uses a tiny speed limit indicator which is difficult to see for the driver. Next, the “off-road menu” contains excellent information like transmission temperature, but it’s challenging to switch to that menu on the fly.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L interior is luxurious

Outside of many user experience problems, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L interior is luxurious. Leather and other soft-touch materials throughout the cabin make it feel premium. Even plastic parts don’t have the hard, cheap plastic feeling found inside many other models. Additionally, the three-row SUV uses a leather-wrapped steering wheel that feels excellent while driving. Finally, the latest Uconnect infotainment system is one of the best in the industry. It’s getting better every year, and with some minor changes in controls, the Grand Cherokee L’s technology is in good hands.

MotorTrend’s only complaint about the Grand Cherokee L interior materials is the wood trim. Although it’s fake, the wood trim feels like cheap, hard plastic, even more than the actual plastic.

Jeep Grand Cherokee L problems

In conclusion, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a fantastic overall choice for a three-row SUV. It has everything most could ever need and is very luxurious. On the interior, passengers will feel like they’re riding in luxury until they use the controls. Many controls are unintuitive, confusing, and poorly placed. Additionally, the rear seats are not meant to hold adult passengers. Overall, a poor user experience turns a widely luxurious interior into a lacking one.