2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was a striking presence on the road, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, which lent it a traditional SUV aesthetic. Its tall hood, broad shoulders, and upright profile were complemented by trapezoidal wheel arches, giving it a robust and classic look. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille, featuring laser-etched knurling. The vehicle's 20-inch standard wheels, with optional 22-inch wheels, added to its imposing stance. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a luxurious experience with high-end materials and features like 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim, setting it apart from its sibling, the Wagoneer.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, meanwhile, extended the classic Grand Cherokee design by more than a foot, maintaining its tough yet upscale appearance. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package showcased a bold look with blacked-out grille and logos, dark gray 21-inch wheels, and black leather with gold stitching. The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was impressive, especially in upper trims, with a polished black dash, diamond-patterned stitching, and aluminum speaker grilles. Despite some hard plastics, the cabin felt justified for its price, offering a classy environment. The Grand Cherokee L's design elements, such as slim LED lighting and a mild curve to the black roofline, provided a modern touch to its quintessential Jeep styling.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter 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 60 mph in six seconds, a notable feat for its 6,400-pound weight. The vehicle came standard with four-wheel drive, featuring the Quadra-Drive II system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, offered adjustable height settings for various driving conditions, providing up to 10 inches of ground clearance. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering at higher speeds.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which was considered underwhelming for its size. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, was recommended for better performance, especially for towing up to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, with air suspension ensuring a smooth ride through corners. The vehicle offered three optional four-wheel drive systems, with the Quadra-Drive II system including a low-range transfer case and limited-slip differential. The Grand Cherokee L's air suspension allowed for up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance, making it a capable off-roader, though not as rugged as some competitors.

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 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its towing capacity was 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control, with a 360-degree camera system aiding visibility.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended wheelbase provided ample legroom for second-row passengers, with standard captain's chairs and an optional 60/40 bench seat. The third row, while power-folding, was best suited for children. The Grand Cherokee L offered 17 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, making it one of the most spacious in its class. The interior featured a well-organized dashboard with two rows of buttons for easy access to various controls. Despite some legibility issues with the infotainment system, the Grand Cherokee L provided a comfortable and functional cabin environment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system adding two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also included a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, with Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, while feature-rich, was noted for its slow response and plain graphics.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, all running Uconnect 5. The system was generally quick and easy to use, despite some legibility issues. The Grand Cherokee L offered a McIntosh sound system with 19 speakers, though its surround imaging was lacking. Night vision and Active Driving Assist were notable features, with the latter providing semi-automated control on highways. The passenger screen in the dash allowed for independent video and music playback, navigation control, and access to the "FamCam" feature. Amazon Fire TV was available for streaming, adding to the Grand Cherokee L's extensive tech offerings.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of its release. It came with standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist was available, combining adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, though a hands-free version was planned for future release.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and scored five stars in most NHTSA tests, except for a four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included front knee airbags, forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features on higher trims included front cross-traffic braking, 360-degree cameras, and night vision. Active Driving Assist was standard on the Summit Reserve trim.