2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

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, 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, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots, while the wheel center caps were protected by an acrylic glass covering. 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its design, merging the robust look of the Toyota Tundra with a newly styled SUV body. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper gave it a distinct presence, avoiding the "manta ray on wheels" appearance of the Tundra. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. A massive 14-inch infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with the Capstone at the top, offering features like a panoramic sunroof and power-deploying running boards.

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, impressive 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 was also standard, offering adjustable ride height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer could handle off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. The cabin was quiet, and the air suspension provided a smooth ride, but the vehicle felt ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, offering improved towing and payload capacities compared to the previous model. The Sequoia's maximum tow rating was 9,520 pounds, and it achieved better fuel efficiency, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with an adaptive rear air suspension that adjusted ride and handling characteristics. Despite its power, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive. The vehicle's ride quality varied depending on the driving mode, with Sport mode providing the best balance of performance and comfort.

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 and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 9,850 pounds, 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 vehicle's hood limited forward visibility, but the standard 360-degree camera system helped mitigate this issue.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and triple-zone automatic climate control. The Sequoia's front seats were comfortable, and the upper door panel shelf provided a convenient resting place for long trips. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, although taller passengers might find them unnecessary. The second-row captain’s chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat was less comfortable than rivals, with limited thigh support and legroom. Cargo space was a compromise, with only 11.5 cubic feet available with the third-row seat in its rearmost position. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain reduced overall utility, with a maximum cargo capacity of 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than the previous model and competitors.

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 WiFi hotspot enhanced connectivity, while second-row passengers enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control. An optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, allowing control of navigation and entertainment. The Uconnect 5 system, based on Android, supported over-the-air updates, although the screen response was occasionally slow.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant that responded to voice commands. The Sequoia included a 10-inch head-up display, although it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. A surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were standard, enhancing visibility and safety. The system occasionally experienced glitches, such as issues with Bluetooth pairing and contact access.

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 a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering, requiring hands-on driving. A hands-free version was planned for future release, with driver monitoring to prevent misuse. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included all available driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package offered forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were effective, although the lane-departure warning system's beeping was occasionally irritating. Crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available, but the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.