2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling. It featured 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. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel centre caps had an acrylic glass covering to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture, shared with the standard Wagoneer, allowed for independent front and rear suspension, while the aluminum hood and doors, along with a composite tailgate, helped save weight.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared styling features with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen, a large rotary shift knob, and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests, along with standard heated first- and second-row seats and a heated steering wheel. Optional ventilated second-row seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and higher-grade Palermo leather were available, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim. Subtle differences, like seat controls placed high on the doors and the “Grand Wagoneer” inscription on the dashboard, further set it apart from the Wagoneer.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, presented a design that was neither offensive nor overly striking. The SUV's styling, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker from a front three-quarter perspective, was part of the broader SUV coupe trend. Mercedes had shelved many V8-powered models for 2022, including the AMG GLE 63 S Coupe variant, leaving the AMG GLE 53 Coupe with a base MSRP of $99,900 Canadian. Inside, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe was luxurious, featuring high-end materials and a high-tech appearance with dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design. The cabin included Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner and steering wheel, and brushed aluminum trim. Ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night.

The interior design of the AMG GLE 53 Coupe masked its complexity with a facade of simplicity. The lack of traditional controls or white-on-black control markings posed a challenge for newcomers, but with time, drivers acclimated to the vehicle's technology. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe's interior was both sumptuous and high-tech, offering a blend of luxury and performance-oriented features.

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, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. It came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, along with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system offering five drive modes: Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Sand/Mud. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, allowed for height adjustments to enhance off-roading capabilities or reduce aerodynamic drag on highways. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle challenging terrains, although its size limited its off-road prowess.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine, producing 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,800 rpm. The engine included EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that added extra power when needed and improved fuel efficiency. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe achieved a fuel consumption of 12.7 L/100 km in combined driving. It boasted a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, and the vehicle featured an adaptive damping control air suspension. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes enhanced performance, while the speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering facilitated urban maneuverability. The GLE Coupe excelled in urban and suburban settings, offering a taut, nimble, and composed ride.

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, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80, although front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer provided 775 litres of cargo space with all three rows in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, cargo space expanded to 2,667 litres. The vehicle had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins. The Grand Wagoneer’s standard 360-degree camera system aided visibility, compensating for the limited forward view.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe technically seated five people, but it was more comfortable for four, especially if the rear passengers were adults. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, ensuring comfort on long drives. Forward visibility was adequate, but rear visibility was challenging, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the 655-litre cargo hold was generous. Folding the second-row seats expanded cargo volume to 1,790 litres. The GLE Coupe offered comfort upgrades like heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a four-zone automatic climate control system, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard infotainment system 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 access to a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system, based on an Android operating system, supported over-the-air software updates. While the system offered a range of features, the touchscreen response was occasionally slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain. However, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came equipped with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass. Standard features included a navigation system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services. The MBUX system was user-friendly, with beautifully rendered graphics and logical menu structures. Its natural voice recognition technology, activated by saying “Hey Mercedes,” was highly effective. Optional features included wireless smartphone charging, a Burmester surround-sound audio system, an MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture recognition, and an augmented video feature for navigation. The touchpad on the centre console, however, was prone to accidental activation.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, traffic-sign recognition, and advanced driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. A hands-free version was planned for future release.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a “pink noise” tone to protect hearing during a collision. The Intelligent Drive Package added 13 additional driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. The Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist systems were particularly impressive, offering refined and accurate performance. The lane-keeping assistance technology was effective, engaging when needed without being intrusive. The adaptive cruise control’s route-based speed adaption function, however, could be a source of irritation. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.