Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Audi Q7

Given the brand’s war-fighting origins, the idea of a luxury Jeep seems a bit oxymoronic. But luxury SUVs that combine off-road capability with comfort and opulence are fairly common these days, and Jeep wants in on the action.

Resurrecting a name that dates back to 1984, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the automaker’s answer to the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80, and Lincoln Navigator. Like these rivals, the Wagoneer is a body-on-frame full-size SUV based on a more mainstream model. In this case, that’s the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, which is also new for this model year (and is covered in a separate review).

Jeep considers the Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer to be components of a new sub-brand, sitting atop the rest of its lineup. In addition to the Wagoneer name and a basic platform, both models share exterior and interior styling and many tech features. So there’s less to differentiate a Grand Wagoneer from a Wagoneer than, say, a Lincoln Navigator from a Ford Expedition. The relationship might be more like that of the GMC Yukon to the Chevrolet Tahoe.

To see if the Grand Wagoneer justifies its “grand” nomenclature, we drove it back to back with a standard Wagoneer, navigating New York City streets and off-road trails. The Grand Wagoneer launches in Series I, Series II, Series III, and Obsidian trim levels. Our test vehicle was the midlevel Series II version.

The mid-size SUV has room for seven (barely) and comes in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. There are two different engine choices, but all Q7s, regardless of trim, are all-wheel-drive (AWD) with excellent handling characteristics. However, this second-generation Q7 has been around since 2017, and it shows in some key areas.

Verdict: While the 2025 Audi Q7 has a lot going for it in terms of driving dynamics and engine prowess, it falls behind the competition when it comes to safety tech. Further, the third row is cramped for anyone but the smallest of humans, and the price can skyrocket as you move up the trim line.