2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated into the Volvo family with signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It also sported a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a modified rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and upscale environment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. It distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique 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 offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials than the Wagoneer, including 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, standard heated seats, and Nappa leather upholstery. 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 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It housed a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, providing a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, with a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty weight of around 2,900 kilograms. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a Quadra-Lift air suspension system for adjustable ride height. It boasted 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance and could ford up to 60 centimetres of water. The Grand Wagoneer excelled in providing a quiet cabin and smooth ride, although it felt ungainly at higher speeds due to its size and weight.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it was less spacious compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, with limited legroom and a smaller cargo area. The XC40 Recharge's frunk was also minimal due to powertrain hardware. Despite this, Volvo incorporated clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and large door bins by relocating the audio system's speakers. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

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 commonly used configurations. However, with all seats folded, its 2,667 litres of cargo space fell short of some competitors. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. It featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, with the ability to sync personal Google accounts. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model introduced OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without dealership visits. It lacked a start button, instead using a key fob for ignition, with potential future updates for a Digital Key feature.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a McIntosh audio system, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. The Grand Wagoneer featured a larger touchscreen than the standard Wagoneer, with a second screen for seat massagers and other functions. It used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering OTA updates, although the screen response was occasionally slow.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet received crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. It included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, and night vision. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with plans for a future hands-free version.