Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. However, the Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel center caps had an acrylic glass covering to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a high-end experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and aluminum and American Walnut wood trim, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, priced from $41,995, offered minimal appearance changes for the year, with a new Cypress Green paint color and standard power folding exterior mirrors on Limited and Platinum trims. The Highlander Hybrid was known for its over-styled design, featuring exaggerated forms, scowling headlights, and dramatically sculpted rear forms. Inside, the cabin was characterized by large air vents, a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen, and mismatched textures and tones. Despite its visual shortcomings, the Highlander Hybrid provided a quiet ride, thanks to acoustic front window glass in Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It 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, despite its hefty 6,400-pound weight. It came standard with four-wheel drive, including the Quadra-Drive II system with 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 towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, the Grand Wagoneer excelled in towing capabilities.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, delivering 243 combined horsepower. The hybrid system allowed for electric-only driving at low speeds, enhancing fuel efficiency. However, the gas engine's 175 lb-ft of torque limited high-speed passing power, and towing 3,500 pounds seemed challenging. The Highlander Hybrid featured Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an additional Trail mode for AWD models. Despite its focus on fuel economy, the Highlander Hybrid returned 28.7 mpg on the evaluation loop, falling short of the EPA's 35 mpg estimate. The driving experience was described as uninspiring, with soft suspension tuning and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) contributing to a lackluster performance.

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. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. It featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, with most models featuring standard second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was best suited for occasional use due to limited space and comfort. Standard equipment included three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The Highlander Hybrid offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. However, the center armrest storage console design was unnecessarily complex, and the optional all-weather cargo mat compromised utility.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air software updates. However, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with various themes. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim level. It supported over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Connected service plans included Wi-Fi Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, offering features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle also had a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though the graphics could benefit from sharper contrast.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA at the time. 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, with plans for a hands-free version in the future.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid excelled in safety, equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Hybrids also featured blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Limited and Platinum trims added front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, and the Platinum had a surround-view camera. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.