2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried forward the legacy of its predecessors, which dated back to the original Land Rover Series I from 1948. The Defender's design was a nod to its heritage, with modern touches that brought it into the contemporary era. The vehicle featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders reminiscent of earlier models. The Defender's exterior was marked by short overhangs, a floating roof, and a spare tire mounted on the side-hinged tailgate, all contributing to its rugged and capable appearance. Inside, the Defender showcased an exposed structure theme, with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls. The interior was a blend of luxury and toughness, with leather-upholstered seating and a digital instrument panel, all designed with authenticity and high quality in mind.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, presenting a traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille featuring laser-etched knurling. It boasted a new body-on-frame architecture with independent front and rear suspension, and an aluminum hood and doors for weight savings. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim. The interior was spacious, with more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than some competitors, and it featured a standard sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender was designed to excel both on and off the road, with two available powertrains in the U.S. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A more powerful option was the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response were standard across all models. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 3.0-liter model accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter 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 0-60 mph in six seconds. The vehicle featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, which included a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Grand Wagoneer also came with the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, providing up to 10 inches of ground clearance and enabling a 25-degree approach angle. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace, as its ride could be bouncy at higher speeds. The vehicle's size was a limiting factor for off-road adventures, and it did not receive Jeep's "Trail Rated" badge.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender utilized a unibody platform shared with other Land Rover models, incorporating extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. Its four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension enhanced both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Defender offered flexible interior configurations, with options for a jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space was generous, with up to 78.8 cubic feet available behind the first row in the 110 model.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer provided seating for seven 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 some competitors, although front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer had 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. It 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 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates to 14 individual modules. The Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Defender offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, and optional Meridian sound systems with up to 700 watts of amplification. A ClearSight rear-view mirror and a full-color head-up display were also available.

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 had a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had their own touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two more screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. It also offered Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto, allowing passengers to stream content.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags with a passenger seat occupant monitor, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, emergency braking, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its capability in challenging conditions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer also lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. However, it offered a robust suite of standard safety features, including 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 was available, combining adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering.