Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Cadillac XT5

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. 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 interior boasted high-end materials and convenience features, including 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 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, though its cabin materials felt more akin to a Buick or top-trim Chevy. Despite this, the interior was intuitively laid out, offering good space across both rows and above-average cargo space with 30 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. Cadillac retained many physical controls, providing an intuitive feel, though the cabin lacked memorable or unique elements. The XT5 offered good headroom and legroom, with a panoramic sunroof available for an airy feel. Standard synthetic leather upholstery could be upgraded to genuine leather in higher trims, which also included heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel.

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 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also came with the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offering adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, it could handle a 25-degree approach angle and ford up to 24 inches of water. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a stately pace, as its ride could be bouncy at higher speeds.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with acceleration from 0-60 mph in the high-seven-second range. An available V6 engine produced 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable driving experience. However, the XT5 lacked notable driving excitement, with decent handling but a ride quality that suffered on rough roads. The XT5's EPA-rated fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city to 29 mpg highway with the turbo-four and FWD, while the V6 and AWD combination achieved 18/25 mpg city/highway.

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. Cargo space was generous, with 27.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. The maximum cargo space of 94.2 cubic feet was slightly less than some rivals. The Grand Wagoneer had a 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.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered useful storage spaces, including a deep center console storage bin. The maximum cargo space of 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats was accessible via a wide liftgate opening, with a hands-free power liftgate available. Folding the rear seats expanded the space to 63 cubic feet, which was generous for its class. The XT5's cargo area shape allowed for accommodating larger items, unlike some rivals with sloping rooflines.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and had 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 Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software updates.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. It included dual-zone climate controls and a Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers. Cadillac retained physical buttons for climate and steering wheel controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The system was intuitive and responsive, though not as advanced as some rivals like Volvo's Google-based system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet received crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included 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.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test was for the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in all crash test areas but missed a Top Safety Pick award due to a "Marginal" headlight score. Standard safety tech included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and a Driver Assist Package with adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking.