2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2022 Toyota Highlander

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 characterized by a tall hood, broad shoulders, 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, featuring laser-etched knurling, while 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 offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials, 24-way power front seats, and Nappa leather upholstery, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander showcased a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design. Its flared fender arches and upward-kicking third-row window gave it a compact appearance, despite its spacious interior. The Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions, making it family-friendly. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, unique exterior styling, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander came in various trims, each offering a range of features, from the base LE with standard AWD and an 8-inch touchscreen to the upscale Limited and Platinum trims with premium amenities like a panoramic moonroof and a JBL audio system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 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 for various terrains. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system provided adjustable ride height, enhancing off-road capability and highway efficiency. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely pace, as its size and imprecise steering made it feel ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. This engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth power delivery, especially at cruising speeds. The Highlander's AWD system offered multiple drive modes, including Mud/Sand and Rock, enhancing its versatility. While the V6 engine offered decent acceleration, it excelled in highway driving, providing ample power for overtaking. The Highlander's handling was commendable, with the XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while maintaining comfort. The Highlander could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, making it suitable for various hauling needs.

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 boasted 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Its maximum cargo capacity was 2,667 litres, slightly less than some competitors. The Grand Wagoneer had a towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, aided by its robust construction. Standard features included a sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control, enhancing comfort and convenience.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander provided up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, it offered 1,370 litres of cargo space, and 453 litres with all seats deployed. The Highlander's interior was designed for practicality, with deep cargo pockets, multiple storage compartments, and cupholders throughout. The XSE trim featured second-row captain’s chairs, creating a centre aisle for easy access to the third row. While the second-row seats were spacious, the third row was best suited for short trips. The Highlander offered a power liftgate on higher trims, with hands-free operation available on Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The McIntosh audio system and 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot enhanced connectivity. Second-row passengers enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 system, with its Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates. Despite its advanced features, the system's responsiveness was occasionally sluggish, and the instrument cluster's graphics were plain. However, the head-up display provided clear information.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system featured a straightforward layout with hard buttons for easy operation. A wireless charging pad and additional USB ports were available in the XSE trim. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system were optional. While the base touchscreen was user-friendly, the larger screen required more effort to navigate. The Highlander's infotainment system balanced modern technology with intuitive controls.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a range of standard safety features, including 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 monitoring, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, requiring driver engagement. A hands-free version was planned for future release. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, featuring forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. Higher trims offered additional features like parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a surround-view parking monitor. The Highlander's lane-departure alert and lane-keeping assist systems were active, sometimes overly so, but provided valuable assistance. The IIHS rated the Highlander as a Top Safety Pick+.