Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Mercedes-Benz GLA

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA presented a modernized appearance with its new generation, fitting seamlessly into the Mercedes lineup as the smallest SUV. Its proportions and styling were distinct, placing it below the GLS, GLE, GLC, and GLB. The GLA's dimensions were on the larger side of the subcompact class, comparable to the BMW X1. It was three inches taller and half an inch shorter than its predecessor, with short overhangs and cladding that contributed to its muscular look. Despite the small appearance of the windows, the seating positions provided ample visibility. The interior, however, was filled with less-than-premium surfaces, and while the seats were well-appointed, the overall interior quality did not match up to other luxury crossovers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling with a tall hood and broad shoulders. It was differentiated by a black roof and model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The Grand Wagoneer featured a new body-on-frame architecture with independent suspension and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it boasted high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats with massage and Nappa leather upholstery. The interior also had unique elements like seat controls on the doors and a "Grand Wagoneer" badge on the dashboard.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA was available in several variants, including the GLA 250, GLA 250 4MATIC, and AMG GLA 35, with the AMG GLA 45 on the way. The GLA 250 and 250 4MATIC were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds. The AMG GLA 35 increased power to 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds. The AMG GLA 45 further upped the ante with 382 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The GLA's performance was marred by turbo lag and transmission issues during daily driving, and its ride quality was interrupted by road noise.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It accelerated from 0-60 mph in six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a Quadra-Lift air suspension system. It provided 10 inches of ground clearance and could ford up to 24 inches of water. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA offered a more SUV-like seating position with easy ingress and egress. It provided excellent headroom and legroom for front passengers, while the rear seats offered more legroom than before. The GLA had a 40/20/40 split-fold rear seat configuration and standard synthetic leather upholstery. Cargo space was 15.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.5 cubic feet with the seats folded.

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. Cargo space was 27.4 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed and 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds and came with standard features like a sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA featured the MBUX infotainment system with two 7.0-inch display screens, four USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, 12-speaker Burmester audio system, and wireless device charging. The system was user-friendly but lacked quick scrolling through radio stations. The GLA also introduced a car-wash function for convenience.

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. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. It offered features like Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto, though the screen response was slow.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA included standard safety features like a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control and active lane-keeping assist. The Parking Assistance Package offered a surround-view camera system and parking assist technology. Without these packages, the GLA's safety features felt lacking compared to less expensive SUVs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had standard safety features such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.