Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, presented a traditional SUV aesthetic. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile, reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Grand Cherokee L. Distinguishing itself from the standard Wagoneer, the Grand Wagoneer boasted 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 an acrylic glass covering. 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 shared styling features with the Wagoneer but offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a stylish and high-quality choice in the compact crossover SUV segment. It exuded the feel of a small luxury SUV, with impressive power from its available turbocharged engine and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. The CX-5 was redesigned and renamed as the CX-50, but the 2023 model still offered a refined and sophisticated experience. The vehicle's lineup included eight versions, with the 2.5 Turbo Signature model featuring premium Nappa leather upholstery and a high MSRP. The CX-5's updates improved its structural rigidity, suspension dampening, and interior noise, making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle. The turbocharged engine provided a rewarding driving experience, with a firm and communicative ride quality that emphasized Mazda's sporty driving identity.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, despite its hefty 6,400-pound weight. The vehicle featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, which included a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system was also standard, offering adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. The vehicle's quiet cabin and air suspension provided a comfortable ride, but its handling felt ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with torque arriving at 2,000 rpm on regular gas and 2,500 rpm on premium fuel. The CX-5's updates improved its structural rigidity and suspension, resulting in a tighter and more solid feel. The vehicle excelled on twisting roads, offering a firm and connected ride quality. However, its fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing, with the turbo model returning 21.4 mpg in combined driving.

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 compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Its maximum cargo capacity of 94.2 cubic feet was less than some competitors. The vehicle 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 automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 featured improved front seats for better comfort and support, with height-adjustable seats for both the driver and front passenger. Higher trims offered power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Signature trim included luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with small storage areas, a cramped back seat, and less cargo space than many rivals. It provided 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The CX-5's technology, storage, and rear-seat room left something to be desired, despite its high-quality materials.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped 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 offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch center console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured a second screen below the main touchscreen for additional functions, and an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air software updates. However, the system was slow to respond, and the instrument cluster's graphics were plain.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure. However, it lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and its physical controls were awkward to use. The control knob required twists and pushes to execute commands, making it distracting to use while driving. The system's user experience was often frustrating, with issues like the SiriusXM channel list defaulting to the bottom. Despite these drawbacks, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of its launch. 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, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. A hands-free version was planned for future release.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with most i-Activsense driver assistance technologies offered as standard equipment. Exclusive features for the 2.5 Turbo Signature included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly and accurately, with an Active Driving Display showing operational status and alerts. The CX-5 also featured an E911 system for automatic collision notification. However, it lacked a warning message for driving without headlights at night. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.