Jeep Wagoneer vs Cadillac LYRIQ

Jeep is digging deep into its back catalog for new models. The Stellantis brand (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) recently resurrected the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck, and now it’s bringing back another name from the past—the Wagoneer.

The Jeep Wagoneer was one of the original American SUVs and boasted a 28-year production run, spanning 1963 to 1991. It’s a tough act to follow, then, as demonstrated by Jeep’s last attempt at a full-size SUV, the ill-fated Commander.

The Wagoneer returns not just as a new SUV, but as a sub-brand that sits atop the rest of the Jeep lineup in size, price, and prestige. For the 2022 model year, Jeep is launching both the standard Wagoneer and a more luxurious Grand Wagoneer (covered in a separate review). As the lower-tier model, the standard Wagoneer targets full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer launches in Series II and Series III trim levels, with a base Wagoneer Series I model scheduled to join the lineup at a later date. Our test vehicle was a Wagoneer Series II, which is the de facto base model until the Series I arrives.

Cadillac has rarely lived up to its expectations in the last 40 years or so, but the Lyriq is just one example that shows that the brand is finally rising to its historic standards. It starts with its beautiful cabin that boasts distinctive design and high-quality materials. It’s also very spacious and functional thanks to clever storage and user-friendly tech. The Lyriq’s EV credentials are also solid, if unremarkable, when compared to recently introduced competitors.

Verdict: The Lyriq had a bit of a rocky start because earlier model years were plagued with tech issues and build-quality problems, but this latest 2027 test vehicle had none of those. It remains a must-drive luxury EV despite those recently introduced competitors boasting impressive specs and new technologies.