2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile, reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Grand Cherokee L. However, the Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel center caps had an acrylic glass covering to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent front and rear suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to save weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared interior-styling features with the Wagoneer, but offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, such as 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, maintained Jeep's design traditions while offering a sportier, shorter profile. It was available in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding destination charges. The Grand Cherokee's styling drew influence from the 1963 Wagoneer, featuring a forward-leaning grille and headlights, a lowered and level beltline, and angled rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the '21 Grand Cherokee L, with the base Laredo offering good quality despite its simplicity. The Summit Reserve trim provided luxury with premium quilted leather, heated and ventilated front seats, a McIntosh audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. While the gloss black finish on some controls in higher trims suffered from reflections, the matte-black finish in lower trims was more functional. Overall, the Grand Cherokee offered a range of options to suit different preferences for style, comfort, and purpose.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, despite its roughly 6,400-pound weight. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with four-wheel drive (4WD) and the Quadra-Drive II system, which included a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also featured the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offering adjustable height for off-roading, highway driving, and easier ingress and egress. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer could handle a 25-degree approach angle, 24-degree departure angle, and 22-degree breakover angle, and could ford up to 24 inches of water. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a stately pace, as its ride was bouncy at higher speeds, and its steering imprecise.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) and came with either a V6 or V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. A 5.7-liter V8 engine was available with higher trims, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Three different 4WD systems were available: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with fuel economy estimates ranging from 17 mpg with the V8 and 4WD to 21 mpg with the V6. The Trailhawk trim featured Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and improved off-road angles. The Grand Cherokee's V6 engine was preferred for its efficiency and good acceleration, while the V8 offered a thrilling sound but at a higher cost. The Grand Cherokee felt more nimble and athletic than the larger Grand Cherokee L, with excellent ride quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80, though front-row space was more limited. With 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed, the Grand Wagoneer offered more cargo space than its rivals in commonly used configurations. However, with all rear seats folded, its 94.2 cubic feet of cargo space was less than that of the Escalade, Navigator, and QX80. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. It came with a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, though forward visibility was somewhat limited by the hood.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. The redesign aimed to improve visibility, which was achieved through better sightlines and camera technologies. The available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. Rear-seat room was tight for adults with long legs, and the plastic front seatback trim could be uncomfortable. The Grand Cherokee L offered more second-row legroom and greater cargo capacity due to its more vertical rear window and liftgate design. The two-row Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a McIntosh audio system, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch center console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also had a second screen below the main one for functions like seat massagers, and a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto allowed passengers to stream content and share destinations with the navigation system. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates, was standard, though the screen was slow to respond.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with a comprehensive suite of technology, including a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and multiple interior touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen standard and a 10.1-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and voice recognition were standard. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV integration. The optional front passenger interactive display allowed the passenger to assist the driver and provided entertainment options.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of its release. It came with standard safety features such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection collision assist, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, traffic-sign recognition, and two levels of driver-assistance systems. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was fortified with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a structure composed extensively of aluminum and high-strength steel. The safety cage was 27% mild-grade steel, improving crash protection. The Grand Cherokee's ADAS included intersection collision assist, active driving assist, and a Level 2 hands-on semi-autonomous driving system. Active Driving Assist provided adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. A hands-free version was planned for 2022, allowing drivers to let go of the steering wheel on approved roads.