Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs GMC Acadia

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was a striking presence on the road, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, which lent it a traditional SUV aesthetic. Its tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches contributed to its 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, showcasing the “Wagoneer” logo. 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 styling cues with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke steering wheel, but elevated the experience with premium materials and features. It boasted 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, along with heated and ventilated seats in the first and second rows. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with an option for higher-grade Palermo leather, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim. The interior also featured seat controls placed high on the doors, reminiscent of Mercedes, and the “Grand Wagoneer” name was prominently displayed on the dashboard.

The 2024 GMC Acadia underwent a significant transformation, growing 10.6 inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than its predecessor. Its styling emphasized this increased size, with an upright front end and broad grille reflecting GMC’s full-size SUVs and trucks. The single-quotation-mark LED headlights became a brand signature, while big wheel arches and detailed door skins added definition. At the rear, quad exhaust tips drew inspiration from the C8 Corvette. The Acadia was available in Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims, each with distinct wheel options and styling features. The Denali trim featured a toned-down grille with intricate detailing, while the AT4 boasted red tow hooks and blacked-out trim.

Inside, the Acadia's redesigned interior accommodated larger screens and enhanced spaciousness. The dashboard was lowered, providing a commanding view akin to the Yukon. Third-row passengers benefited from a repositioned rear roof pillar, offering an unobstructed view, and an available panoramic sunroof brightened the cabin. The AT4 interior, with its outdoor gear-inspired look, was preferred over the Denali’s leather seats and “fractal stitch” pattern, which didn’t quite match its luxe billing. The Acadia’s interior changes aimed to create a more open and airy environment, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, impressive for its 6,400-pound weight. It came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, along with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system offering five drive modes. 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 off-road capabilities like a 25-degree approach angle and 24-inch water fording.

The 2024 GMC Acadia featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This engine replaced the previous 2.0-liter turbo and 3.6-liter V6 options, offering more power. Despite the absence of a V6, the turbo-four provided strong and consistent performance, supporting a 5,000-pound towing capacity. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with front-wheel drive on Elevation and Denali trims, and all-wheel drive on AT4 models. The AT4 trim included a twin-clutch system for off-road driving, a 1.2-inch ride height lift, and special suspension tuning. While the Acadia AT4 was marketed as the most capable yet, it was more suited for light off-roading, handling dirt roads well without excessive tire noise or compromised ride quality.

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, though front-row space was more limited. Cargo space was generous, with 27.4 cubic feet behind all three rows and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. With all seats folded, it offered 94.2 cubic feet, slightly less than some rivals. The Grand Wagoneer had 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 climate control, and large storage bins, though forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2024 GMC Acadia’s interior was designed for spaciousness, with more headroom across all three rows than competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Kia Telluride. It also offered more first-row legroom, though the Kia and Toyota provided more space in the second and third rows. Cargo capacity was improved, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with all seats down. This made the Acadia competitive in cargo space, with an underfloor storage bin and a “presence based” power liftgate for convenience. Small-item storage was reasonable, though the touchscreen-controlled headlights were less intuitive than physical controls.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing and included a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. The Grand Wagoneer’s infotainment system, Uconnect 5, offered Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto, though the screen response was occasionally slow. The system supported over-the-air updates, and a head-up display provided clear information.

The 2024 GMC Acadia came with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch touchscreen, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was standard, with an optional 16-speaker system. The infotainment system featured Google built-in apps, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, providing a familiar and user-friendly experience. The touchscreen layout was logical, with climate control readouts and physical buttons for ease of use. The instrument cluster offered multiple configurations, though small drive-mode icons could be overlooked.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer’s safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features were a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering, with plans for a hands-free version.

The 2024 GMC Acadia offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. It also included a rear-seat reminder and vibrating safety alert seat. The optional Super Cruise system allowed for hands-free driving on certain roads, though it required driver attention at intersections.