2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the temptation to mimic its competitors. It carried forward the successful styling of the Navigator, characterized by sharp lines and tasteful chrome accents, making it one of the few modern vehicles that benefited from such embellishments. Inside, the Aviator offered a cabin that was both comfortable and warm, with soft-touch materials and a center console that elegantly rose to meet the 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter added a unique touch, and the soothing chimes for alerts contributed to the luxurious atmosphere. The Aviator's trims ranged from Standard to Black Label Grand Touring, each offering a variety of features, from synthetic leather upholstery and tri-zone climate control in the Standard trim to massaging front seats and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system in the Black Label.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a traditional SUV appearance with a tall hood and broad shoulders. However, it distinguished itself with a black roof, model-specific hood, and a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling. The interior shared styling features with the Wagoneer but offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, along with heated and ventilated seats in the first and second rows. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available. The interior also featured aluminum and American Walnut wood trim, with seat controls placed high on the doors for a touch of luxury.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine across its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of up to 21 miles. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, although the Aviator's size resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," reflecting the Aviator's suitability for highways and suburban environments.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. This setup allowed for impressive off-road capabilities, including a 25-degree approach angle and the ability to ford up to 24 inches of water. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace, as its size and imprecise steering made it feel ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially in the Grand Touring trim, offered captain's chairs and a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio settings. However, the power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

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 its competitors, although front-row space was more limited. Cargo space measured 27.4 cubic feet with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed, with a maximum of 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Grand Wagoneer had a towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, offering a user-friendly interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument panel and optional head-up display provided clear graphics, enhancing the driving 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 offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had their own touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added more screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, while feature-rich, was noted for its slow response and plain graphics.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was equipped with the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor and night vision. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release. Crash-test ratings were not yet available.