2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2022 Kia Sportage

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a traditional design featuring a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel centre caps were protected by acrylic glass. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent suspension, and the use of aluminum and composite materials helped reduce weight.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared some styling elements with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it offered more luxurious features, including 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, standard heated seats in the first and second rows, and optional ventilated second-row seats. 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, reminiscent of Mercedes vehicles. The dashboard prominently displayed the "Grand Wagoneer" name.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, on the other hand, had a distinctive design that was both stylish and functional. While the tiger-nose grille was a bold choice, it was complemented by other design elements like the four-dot running light signature and the symmetrical rear fascia. The Sportage's proportions and stance were enhanced by its 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Sportage featured a black dashboard with polished metallic accents and straightforward instrumentation. The use of buttons and knobs made it easy to control various functions, contributing to an upscale feel. The transmission shifter's solid operation added to the sense of quality.

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 featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty weight of around 2,900 kilograms. It came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, which included a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The vehicle also featured a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system, providing up to 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance and the ability to ford up to 60 centimetres of water.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models were equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The Sportage SX, however, featured a more powerful engine with 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Sportage SX's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm. The vehicle's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system was standard on all grades except the entry-level LX FWD. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth and compliant ride, with the SX model featuring upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels.

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 competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer offered 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to the Grand Wagoneer's additional weight. The vehicle came with a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though smaller, offered a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, and the front seats were heated and ventilated. The driver's seat had ten-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat offered eight-way power adjustment. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. The Sportage's cargo space was 1,703 litres with the second-row seats folded, and 868 litres behind the back seat. The vehicle also featured Kia's smart liftgate technology, allowing hands-free access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and offered a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software updates. However, the screen response was noted to be slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were considered plain.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The SX trim included UVO Intelligence connected services, satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning. However, the UVO Intelligence system was seen as less sophisticated, lacking a WiFi hotspot and featuring wired smartphone mirroring. Despite these limitations, the system was simple and easy to use.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of its release. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. 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, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, particularly the EX and SX grades, included safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX trim also featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage received favourable crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX earning an Acceptable headlight rating, qualifying it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.