Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Dodge Durango

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a traditional design featuring a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel center caps were protected by acrylic glass. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent suspension, and the use of aluminum and composite materials helped reduce weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered high-end features like 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It avoided oversized grilles, opting for a clean, car-like styling with slim headlights and a large lower air intake. The rear featured Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had subtle unique styling cues, including a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Durango offered various appearance packages, such as the Blacktop and Hemi Orange packages, allowing for customization. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, provided a comfortable environment with available Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats. The Durango's design updates kept it competitive with more recently redesigned rivals.

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. The vehicle featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle various terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely driving pace, as its ride became bouncy at higher speeds.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing up to 295 horsepower. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T trim, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp, while the SRT Hellcat boasted a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 710 hp. The Hellcat's performance was impressive, with a zero to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Durango's adaptive-damping suspension, Pirelli P Zero tires, and Brembo brakes provided excellent handling, although its size made it less agile on twisty roads. The Durango excelled on highways, offering a thrilling driving experience with minimal wind and tire noise.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its towing capacity was 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2023 Dodge Durango was available in seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with second-row captain's chairs standard on higher trims. It offered competitive interior space compared to other midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom similar to the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Traverse. The Durango's cargo space was 17.2 cubic feet with all seats in place and 85.1 cubic feet with the third row folded. It provided ample small-item storage, including a wireless charging pad and USB ports. The Durango's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds for V6 models to 8,700 pounds for V8 models. While it lacked off-road emphasis, it excelled in towing capabilities.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It included a McIntosh audio system, Bluetooth pairing for two phones, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering over-the-air updates and Amazon Alexa connectivity. While the screen was occasionally slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on lower trims, while higher trims received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect 5 system provided a responsive and user-friendly experience. SRT models featured unique Easter Eggs and the Performance Pages app, displaying performance data like timers and g-force meters. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat model. The Durango's tech updates kept it competitive with newer rivals, offering a modern infotainment experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came with standard safety features like 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 lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed results in IIHS tests, with top "Good" marks in some areas but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while forward collision warning and other driver-assist features were limited to higher trims.