2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

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 trapezoidal wheel arches contributed to its upright profile, reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. 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 in the slots, while the wheel centre caps were protected by acrylic glass, showcasing the “Wagoneer” logo. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture, shared with the Wagoneer, allowed for independent suspension and incorporated lightweight materials like an aluminum hood and doors.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared some styling cues with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it elevated the experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional higher-grade Palermo leather. The interior boasted aluminum and American Walnut wood trim, with seat controls positioned high on the doors, reminiscent of Mercedes. The Grand Wagoneer also featured heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and optional ventilated second-row seats, ensuring a luxurious ride.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 maintained its design from the 2019 model, offering four trim levels in Canada, ranging from the RAV4 LE to the RAV4 Limited. The Trail trim stood out with its two-part face, blacked-out wheels, and faux skid plate, although it was more of a style statement than an off-road performer. The Trail trim also featured orange interior accents, with seats sporting a stripe and contrast stitching. The RAV4's interior was practical, with a frameless rearview mirror adding a touch of premium feel. The LE and XLE trims offered fabric upholstery and standard heated front seats, while the XLE Premium package upgraded to synthetic leather. The Limited trim provided heated and ventilated power-adjustable seats with memory functions.

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, propelled the hefty 2,900-kilogram SUV from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also boasted a Quadra-Lift air suspension system, providing adjustable ride height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a more traditional driving experience compared to competitors with CVTs. While not particularly thrilling, the RAV4's performance was adequate for everyday driving. The Trail trim included 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and shared the same suspension setup as other RAV4 models. The RAV4's AWD system, now standard across all trims, included a Snow drive mode for enhanced traction in slippery conditions.

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 towing capacity was 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and ample storage bins.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 accommodated five passengers, offering 958 millimetres of front-row headroom and 1,001 mm in the rear. While it provided less front headroom than the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, it offered more rear headroom. Legroom measured 1,039 mm in the front and 960 mm in the back, comparable to the CR-V but less than the Forester. The RAV4's cargo space was 1,059 litres behind the second row and 1,977 litres with the rear seats folded, placing it in the middle of its class. The RAV4 featured practical storage solutions, including a shelf above the glove compartment and generous door pockets.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates. While the system was feature-rich, the screen response was occasionally slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, while the Limited trim featured a 10.5-inch screen. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Toyota's connected services, including Safety Connect and Drive Connect, were available, with some requiring a subscription. The Limited trim also offered an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim. The Trail and Limited trims included a wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. 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 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 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured standard safety equipment, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The updated TSS 2.5 suite included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash-testing and improved ratings in updated side and moderate overlap front crash tests.