2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional styling, blending seamlessly with other compact crossovers in the market. Its design featured a few distinguishing elements, such as a unique grille and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior aesthetics. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of gray, black, and white, with only a few options like blue and red offering a splash of vibrancy. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials that became more upscale with higher trims. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were often seen as having more distinctive styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a more traditional SUV appearance, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile, with specific design elements like a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling and a standard black roof setting it apart from its sibling. The Grand Wagoneer also boasted larger wheels and unique interior styling, including high-quality materials and advanced convenience features. Its interior was marked by luxurious touches such as 24-way power front seats with massage functions and premium leather upholstery, offering a more opulent experience compared to the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower. This powertrain provided smooth and steady acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive with other crossovers. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which maintained engine revs at a constant level, contributing to a less engaging driving experience compared to rivals with conventional transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option on the LX trim and standard on others. The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, on the other hand, was powered by a robust 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, producing 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 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, impressive for its size. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also included a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system, providing up to 25.4 cm of ground clearance and various drive modes for different terrains. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its size and handling characteristics.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering ample space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured different tailgate options, including a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its utility for carrying additional cargo.

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. With all seats in place, it offered 775 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight. It came with a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, though forward visibility was somewhat limited by the hood design.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had varying audio setups, while the Touring trim offered a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. From the EX-L trim, features like Sirius XM and HD radio were included, with satellite navigation available on higher trims. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports and a 12-volt outlet in the front console, and additional USB ports in the second row. The Touring trim also introduced a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a comprehensive infotainment system 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 their own touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added more screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured the Uconnect 5 system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the system offered extensive functionality, some users found the screen response slow and the graphics plain.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not achieve the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in headlight evaluation and the updated side crash test. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included a suite of advanced safety features as standard, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and more. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

For the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of its launch. 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 encompassed intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.