Kia Sorento vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar appearance to the lower-level model and the smaller 2021 Grand Cherokee L. It featured traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. 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. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent front and rear suspension, while aluminum and composite materials helped save weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a high-end experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and options for higher-grade materials, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

The 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly with the X-Line treatment, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. The X-Line package added features like rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, a lifted suspension, and robust roof rails, enhancing its presence. Our test vehicle, equipped with the X-Line package, came with all-wheel drive as standard and additional features like Wolf Gray paint and Rust-colored leather. The Sorento's interior exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim, and the cabin reflected solid construction. Despite its stylish design, the Sorento maintained practical storage space. The vehicle's interior style and traditional cable-operated transmission shifter did not compromise its functionality, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a balance of style and practicality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 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, impressive for a vehicle weighing around 6,400 pounds. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with four-wheel drive, featuring the Quadra-Drive II system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also included the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offering adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer could handle off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering at higher speeds.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. However, the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, was more satisfying. This engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, provided a lively driving experience. With all-wheel drive, the Sorento could accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. The Sorento's suspension, tuned for a blend of compliance and composure, delivered a sporty driving experience, especially on winding roads. The X-Line package increased ground clearance to 8.2 inches, but the Sorento was best suited for light off-roading. Despite its performance capabilities, the Sorento's fuel economy was lower than expected, averaging around 20.7 mpg during testing.

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, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, space in the front row was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer offered 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Folding all rear seats provided 94.2 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than its competitors. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with features like a 14-way power driver’s seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The SX Prestige X-Line trim included second-row captain’s chairs, heated in this trim, and a panoramic sunroof. The third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and headroom, making it more suitable for occasional use. With the third-row seat folded, the Sorento offered 38.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 75.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats down. The Sorento featured a “smart” power tailgate for convenient loading. Despite its stylish interior, the Sorento's third-row seat was best used for additional cargo space rather than passenger seating.

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

The 2022 Kia Sorento, except for the base LX trim, came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The system required a cable for smartphone integration, unlike the base system's wireless capability. The infotainment interface was intuitive, though the design might not appeal to everyone. The Sorento shared its infotainment technology with Hyundai models, but Kia's voice recognition was less effective. The SX Prestige X-Line trim included a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system, and wireless smartphone charging was standard from the EX trim.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. 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 lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came standard with Kia Drive Wise, offering a range of safety features depending on the trim level. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensors to detect movement, alerting the owner if necessary. Junction Assist used forward-collision warning to prevent unsafe turns. The Blind View Monitor system, available on the SX Prestige X-Line, provided live video feeds of blind spots. Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Highway Driving Assist enhanced safety and convenience. The Sorento received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with the highest rating for LED headlights on the SX and SX Prestige trims. The NHTSA gave the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact protection and rollover resistance.