2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 GMC Yukon

The 2021 GMC Yukon was a testament to GMC's positioning as a "premium grade" brand, offering a rugged yet refined aesthetic that set it apart from its softer Buick sibling. The redesigned Yukon, available in various trims including the SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali, was a full-size SUV built on a truck-based platform. The Denali trim, in particular, stood out with its exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, and unique interior stitching, creating an upscale cabin experience. The Yukon Denali Ultimate, with its Midnight Blue paint and 22-inch wheels, exuded a more upscale appearance compared to its Chevrolet Tahoe counterpart, though it came at a higher price point.

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. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a black roof, model-specific hood, and grille featuring laser-etched knurling. Inside, it boasted high-end materials and convenience features, such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim. The Grand Wagoneer's interior was further enhanced by seat controls placed high on the doors and a "Grand Wagoneer" badge on the dashboard, ensuring a luxurious experience.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options, with the Denali trim featuring a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivered robust acceleration and a satisfying V8 burble, though it was not fuel-efficient, averaging 14.4 mpg on a testing loop. The Yukon Denali's ride quality was improved by its independent rear suspension and optional Four-Corner Air Ride suspension, though the 22-inch wheels made pavement irregularities more noticeable. The Active Response 4WD system, with its Autotrac two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, enhanced cornering performance and traction.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The standard Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, with its two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, maximized traction, while the Quadra-Lift air suspension system offered adjustable ride height for various driving conditions. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a stately pace, as its ride became bouncy at higher speeds, and its steering was imprecise.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, resulting in increased passenger and cargo space. The Denali trim featured leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sliding console. The second-row seats were heated and could slide and collapse for improved comfort and cargo room. The third-row seat offered actual thigh support, accommodating adults comfortably. Cargo volume was impressive, with up to 122.9 cubic feet of space available in the standard Yukon and 144.7 cubic feet in the Denali XL.

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 its competitors, though front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer offered 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its maximum towing capacity was 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to the Grand Wagoneer's extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali, especially with the Ultimate Package, offered a comprehensive infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Upgrades included wireless device charging, a navigation system, and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. The Rear Seat Media system featured dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays, though it required some trial and error to stream content. The Yukon also offered a 15-inch color head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera vantage points.

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 and simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones. Second-row passengers had their own 10.25-inch touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and Fire TV for Auto. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with its Android-based operating system, supported over-the-air updates.

The 2021 GMC Yukon came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Starting with the SLT trim, additional features like blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assistance were included. The Denali trim offered adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The ADAS operated smoothly, providing a subtle yet effective driving experience. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured standard safety equipment 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, though it required hands-on driving. A hands-free version was planned for future release. Crash-test ratings were not available as the model was newly launched.