Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Genesis GV80

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was a testament to sophisticated design, offering two engine options and five trims, with the top Prestige trim featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine. The redesign enhanced its already handsome appearance, with a more aggressive lower bumper and a grille with added depth. The front fascia retained its traditional two horizontal bar headlights, now filled with a micro lens array, while the rear saw subtler changes. The interior was equally stunning, boasting quilted Nappa leather seats, a suede headliner, and unique accents like basalt or recycled newspaper trim. The center console featured three tactile dials, including a gear selector and drive mode selector, though the redundant infotainment dial seemed less practical.

In contrast, the 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that maintained its upright stance and large windows but introduced a modern vibe with an illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence. The new Upland trim added front recovery hooks without compromising elegance. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer exuded modernity with clean design and strong horizontal lines. The 12-inch infotainment screen, though small for the vehicle's size, was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, while plain in appearance, offered exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives pleasant. The cabin's premium materials, including Nappa and Palermo leather, added to the luxurious feel.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 retained its powertrain options, with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The top trim featured a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. All trims came with all-wheel drive, capable of sending up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels for fuel efficiency. The GV80 offered modes like Snow and Eco for varying conditions. Acceleration with the larger engine was satisfying, though the vehicle was more suited for cruising than sporty driving. The brakes were firm and linear, ensuring confident stops, while the interior remained quiet even on rough roads.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, producing 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine delivered smooth power, even in the 6,000-pound vehicle, surpassing the previous Hemi V8 in performance. The Grand Wagoneer also introduced a range-extended electric powertrain with a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, offering an estimated 647 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and a quiet cabin. The seats provided comfort for long journeys, accommodating a wide range of passenger sizes.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was well-equipped with features like power-adjustable heated seats, power-folding mirrors, and the new Mood Curator for a spa-like experience. The top trim included heated armrests, three-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. However, the seats were uncomfortably rigid, making long trips less enjoyable. Most trims seated five passengers, with the second row offering almost 39 inches of legroom. A third row was available in the Advance trim, though its 30 inches of legroom was best suited for children. Cargo space was similar to the 2024 model's 35 cubic feet, and the GV80 could tow 6,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, with three rows providing ample leg and hip room. The optional second-row bench seat allowed for up to eight passengers, with the third row accommodating three people comfortably. While using the third row reduced cargo space to 27.9 cubic feet, the long-wheelbase version increased it to 42.6 cubic feet. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. Features like three-zone climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and Quadra-Lift air suspension added to its appeal, making it well-suited for light off-roading.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 featured a 27-inch OLED screen for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available later. While the infotainment system had clean graphics, navigating menus could be cumbersome. A programmable favorite button offered a workaround, but it required sacrificing other shortcuts. Standard tech included wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and four USB-C ports. Higher trims added a Genesis digital key, a 12-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system provided sophisticated sound quality.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with standard tech features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. However, the charger overheated an iPhone 16 during testing. The 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size, and adjustable pedals were no longer available. Higher trims offered a 23-speaker McIntosh sound system, a front passenger interactive display, and four-zone climate controls. Despite some tech hiccups, the Grand Wagoneer provided a comprehensive suite of features.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 included advanced driver aids like lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Upper trims added remote smart parking and a 360-degree camera system. The blind view monitor displayed video feeds of blind spots on the digital dash cluster. Customizable driving assist systems required navigating the infotainment system, which could be inconvenient. Highway Drive Assist, with an attention monitor, worked well, though it struggled with certain sunglasses. The 2024 model received high safety ratings, but the 2025 model had not yet been rated.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered safety features like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available features included automated parking assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The surround-view cameras provided high-definition visuals with dynamic guidelines. The Grand Wagoneer received mixed safety ratings, with lower scores in certain crash tests. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star safety rating.