2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning well with the rest of the Volvo lineup. It featured distinctive “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 model-specific alloy wheels. It also had a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, featuring traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. It was distinguished by a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille with laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer had a new body-on-frame architecture, independent suspension, and weight-saving features like an aluminum hood and doors. Its interior boasted high-end materials, 24-way power front seats, and Nappa leather upholstery, with options for higher-grade Palermo leather and wood trim. The cabin included seat controls on the doors and “Grand Wagoneer” spelled out on the dashboard.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD, delivering 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kWh battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, and could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, with cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also had the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offering adjustable height for off-roading and improved aerodynamics. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, it could ford up to 24 inches of water. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its size and handling characteristics.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It had clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer seated 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 rivals like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. With all three rows in place, it had 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 9,850 pounds. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins. However, its hood limited forward visibility, though the standard 360-degree camera system helped mitigate this issue.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge had OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob present.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones and had a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring an Android-based OS and OTA update capability. It also offered Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto, allowing passengers to stream content.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. It came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release.