Jeep Cherokee vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over time, and while initial reactions to its short grille and swept-back headlights were mixed, familiarity seemed to have improved its appeal. The Cherokee's appearance varied significantly with trim levels, with the entry-level Latitude appearing more generic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition boasted a more refined look with its 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding. The Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof was a standout feature, covering the entire top surface and adding to its distinctiveness in a crowded SUV market. Its resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially from the front, helped it stand out in parking lots filled with crossover SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a traditional SUV design with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, featuring laser-etched knurling in the grille slots. It also boasted a new body-on-frame architecture with independent front and rear suspension, an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to save weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, as well as heated and ventilated seats. The interior also featured Nappa leather upholstery, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, and American Walnut wood trim, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, catering to different trim levels. The base Latitude and Latitude Plus trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. A step up was the 3.2-liter V-6 engine, delivering 271 horsepower, while the top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite these options, the Cherokee's acceleration was not particularly impressive, with 0 to 60 mph times around 7.2 seconds for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had improved over time. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled off-road, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in front-wheel drive, appealing to budget-conscious buyers and rental fleets.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, on the other hand, was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds, impressive for its size. 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. It also included the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offering adjustable ride height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer was capable of tackling off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. The Grand Wagoneer excelled in providing a quiet and comfortable ride, but its handling at higher speeds was less precise, making it more suited for leisurely drives.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in terms of utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, placing it at the bottom among compact SUVs. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that aspect. The interior design was simple and businesslike, with variations in trim levels affecting the overall feel. Higher trims like the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offered more upscale features, such as suede seat inserts and Nappa leather upholstery.

In contrast, 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. With 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all three rows in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed, the Grand Wagoneer offered more cargo space in commonly used configurations. However, with all rear seats folded, its 94.2 cubic feet of cargo space fell short of some rivals. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface. It offered two screen sizes: a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only wired connections were available. The Cherokee also provided a 4G WiFi hotspot and integration with Amazon Alexa. Remote start was an available feature, adding convenience for various climates. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis vehicles, offering a familiar experience for users.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch center console touchscreen, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, allowing control of navigation and entertainment functions. Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto enhanced the entertainment experience. The Uconnect 5 system, based on an Android operating system, supported over-the-air updates, although some users found the screen response slow and the instrument cluster graphics plain.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee received mixed safety ratings. While it earned top "Good" scores in crashworthiness categories from the IIHS, it did not receive a Top Safety Pick award. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of its launch. It came with a range of standard safety features, including 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. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with plans for a hands-free version in the future.