2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, exuded a big-car feel with its upright layout and commanding road view. Its headlight design, though busy, seamlessly integrated with the grille, and the aggressive approach angle of the lower front bumper hinted at off-road capabilities, even if it wasn't designed for such adventures. The red circles around the wheel centres added a touch of on-road dynamism. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design with clean lines and tech influences reminiscent of upscale brands like Audi. The LCD screen for climate controls and the touchscreen atop the dash provided visual symmetry, while the handle framing the tray below the centre stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

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, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It distinguished itself with a black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, featuring laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a new body-on-frame architecture, independent suspension, and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it shared styling features with the Wagoneer but offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, including 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims came with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for city driving, it lacked power at higher speeds. The SX Turbo trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for highway driving and spirited acceleration, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos exhibited minimal body roll in turns and maintained a smooth ride over bumps, offering a driving experience akin to a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in about six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard 4WD with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a Quadra-Lift air suspension system for adjustable ride height. With 25.4 cm of ground clearance, it could tackle 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 2021 Kia Seltos impressed with its cargo space, offering 752 litres behind the rear seats and 1,778 litres with the seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. It featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample head- and legroom, a rarity in subcompact SUVs.

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. With 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed, it surpassed rivals in practical configurations. However, with all seats folded, its 2,667 litres of cargo space fell short of competitors. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base LX and EX trims, while the EX Premium and SX Turbo offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The SX Turbo included a Bose premium sound system. However, the infotainment system had quirks, such as defaulting to phone audio when connected via USB and only one data-capable USB port. Despite these issues, the system was intuitive, with a helpful home button and hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer featured Uconnect 5, an Android-based infotainment system with OTA updates. While the screen was occasionally slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. In Canada, the base LX included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered a full suite of driver-assistance features, including collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA at launch. It featured standard safety equipment like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.