2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots, while the wheel center caps were protected by acrylic glass. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture, shared with the Wagoneer, allowed for independent suspension and incorporated lightweight materials like an aluminum hood and doors.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared design elements with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it offered more luxurious features, including 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, heated and ventilated seats in the first and second rows, and a heated steering wheel. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim. Subtle interior differences, like Mercedes-style seat controls on the doors and "Grand Wagoneer" spelled out on the dashboard, further set it apart.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, captivated with its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, which resonated with customers more than the Discovery. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all contributing to its classic truck appeal. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender included dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a body-color square separating the side glass. The Defender offered three body styles: 90, 110, and 130, each with unique configurations and features like full-size spare wheels and optional accessory packages.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability, with interiors coated in moisture-wicking rubbers and plastics. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. The build quality was excellent, but the interior lacked the opulence of its Range Rover counterparts. The Defender's engines, including a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8, provided impressive performance, though the vehicle's off-road prowess came at the cost of on-road refinement.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, despite its hefty 6,400-pound weight. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with four-wheel drive, featuring the Quadra-Drive II system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, allowed for adjustable ride height, providing up to 10 inches of ground clearance and enabling the vehicle to ford up to 24 inches of water.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with its Terrain Response 2 system adapting the powertrain and chassis to various surfaces. The Defender's permanent four-wheel drive and air suspension provided exceptional grip and clearance. On-road, however, the Defender's performance was less refined, with noticeable body roll, wind noise, and imprecise steering. The Defender offered a range of engines, including a turbocharged inline-six with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, and a supercharged V8 producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft. The V8 provided exhilarating performance, though it came with poor fuel economy ratings of 14/19/16 mpg.

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 and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer offered 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender stood out with its versatile seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in the 130 model. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row. The Defender 130 provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, though only 14 cubic feet with all rows upright. The Defender featured large glass areas for excellent visibility and offered various roof options, including a panoramic moonroof and a folding power fabric roof. Buyers could equip their Defenders with numerous accessories, enhancing its practicality and off-road capability.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The system included a McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer utilized the Uconnect 5 system, offering over-the-air updates and Amazon Alexa connectivity. However, the system's responsiveness and graphics were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was wide and integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen provided greater legibility. Both screens supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a voice assistant and connected apps. The Defender's technology package varied by trim, with features like heated seats, a Meridian stereo, and a head-up display available. The X trim included advanced features like air suspension, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview mirror with a camera display.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came equipped with standard safety features such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Jeep planned to introduce a hands-free version of its Active Driving Assist system, which would work on certain highways and include driver monitoring.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. It featured six airbags, though it lacked front knee and rear side thorax airbags. The Defender offered a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Defender also offered automatic steering for trailer reversing, though it lacked a self-steering highway assist.