2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban presented a bold and somewhat controversial front-end design, borrowing elements from the Camaro's design language. This resulted in a combination of small headlights and large, busy grilles that did not necessarily enhance its appeal. Despite this, the interior maintained a familiar layout, with controls conveniently placed and a touchscreen framed by a chrome strip, albeit with some issues like sunlight reflection. The Suburban offered various trim levels, with the High Country being the top-tier option, featuring upscale elements but lacking the soft-touch materials typical of luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, offering traditional SUV styling with a tall hood and broad shoulders. It distinguished itself with a black roof, model-specific hood, and grille with laser-etched knurling. The interior boasted high-end materials, including Nappa leather upholstery and American Walnut wood trim, along with advanced features like 24-way power front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Grand Wagoneer provided a luxurious cabin experience, with subtle differences from the Wagoneer, such as seat controls placed high on the doors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of engine options, including a standard 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The newly available Duramax turbodiesel engine generated 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing excellent pickup and V8-level torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive available. The Suburban's handling revealed its truck-based underpinnings, with impressive braking power and a more compliant ride due to its independent rear suspension.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. The Grand Wagoneer could achieve 0 to 60 mph in six seconds, despite its 6,400-pound weight. While it excelled in off-road capabilities, its size and imprecise steering made it less agile on the road, with a bouncy ride at higher speeds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban impressed with its massive cargo space, offering 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Even with the second-row seats in use, it provided 93.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, with spacious second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, though the button shifter design was less intuitive. The power-sliding center console was a complex feature, overshadowed by the Suburban's generous passenger and cargo space.

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, its 94.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats folded was less than its rivals. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 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 2021 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen with GM's intuitive infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's layout was sensible, with a helpful home button. Optional features included a navigation system, rear entertainment system, and head-up display, providing a convenient and user-friendly experience.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates, though the screen response was occasionally slow.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options like the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat provided additional safety benefits.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered 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.