2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, featuring laser-etched knurling in the grille slots. It also offered 20-inch standard wheels, with 22-inch wheels available on higher trims. The interior shared styling cues with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke steering wheel, but elevated the experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional higher-grade Palermo leather.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically massive size. Its grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its bulk, with styling elements that emphasized its size. The Escalade's front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, resembled a diesel locomotive. It offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, with the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featuring bright exterior trim, while the Sport trim had darkened elements. The Escalade's interior was luxurious, with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, though it lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite its size, the Escalade's interior design did not match the distinctive look of competitors like the Lincoln Navigator.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. 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. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, it could tackle off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. The Grand Wagoneer provided a quiet cabin and smooth ride, but its handling felt ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The diesel engine impressed with smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, but the brake pedal felt unresponsive. The gasoline engine had a towing capacity of 3,629 kilograms, slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator. Despite its independent rear suspension, the Escalade's ride felt unsettled, with vibrations transmitted through the cabin. It lacked the off-road capability of some competitors, making it less suitable for rugged adventures.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80, though front-row space was more limited. With 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed, it surpassed its rivals in commonly used configurations. However, with all rear seats folded, its 2,667 litres of cargo space fell short of the Escalade's. 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 a 360-degree camera system for improved visibility.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, offered a spacious cabin with the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. It featured standard second-row captain’s chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat, with an optional power-folding second-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, offering 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third row folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. Despite its spaciousness, the interior had minor functionality issues, such as limited storage space in the raised centre console. The Escalade included 12-way power adjustable front seats with massage and lumbar support, though the seats felt similar to those in its GM cousins. Cadillac paid attention to details like dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured 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 used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the screen was slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, allowing for navigation control and screen sharing.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch trip-computer screen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. Cadillac integrated the display into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape. Physical toggles for climate control were retained, but the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and it featured a rearview camera mirror. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and an augmented-reality navigation system. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard, though tuning was challenging.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with standard safety features such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, requiring hands-on driving. A hands-free version was planned for future release, with driver monitoring for safety.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered standard driver-assistance technology, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, park assist, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with trailer blind-spot monitoring available. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was an option on most trims, providing hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways. It used a driver-facing camera for safety, ensuring the driver remained attentive. Super Cruise impressed with smooth responses, though it occasionally disengaged unexpectedly. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model year.