Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Acura RDX

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. However, 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 interior boasted high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2023 Acura RDX was known for its sharp, angular style, yet it remained conventional enough to blend in with the crowd. The signature Acura grille, flanked by sleek wraparound headlights, gave the nose a sporty and aggressive look. The side featured a distinctive character line suggesting forward movement, while the rear was more conventional, resembling other small SUVs. Inside, the RDX took a different route with a vertical cockpit layout, dominated by gear-selector buttons and a drive-mode dial. The 10.2-inch infotainment display sat atop the dash, and the instrument panel featured a digital centre display with analog gauges. The interior, though not as modern as some rivals, offered a familiar feel for those averse to new glass cockpits.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It 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 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty 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. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system was also standard, offering adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could ford up to 60 centimetres of water. However, its size and weight made it feel ungainly at higher speeds, and it was best driven at a stately pace.

The 2023 Acura RDX featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and came standard with Acura's "super-handling all-wheel drive" (SH-AWD). The RDX accelerated to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, offering immediate throttle response and a pleasing engine sound. The transmission efficiently selected the correct gear, and the brake pedal provided reassuring firmness. The RDX's handling inspired confidence, with well-managed body roll and abundant traction from the advanced AWD system. The adaptive dampers on the Platinum Elite A-Spec trim allowed for sporty cornering without sacrificing ride comfort, making it an attractive option for many shoppers.

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, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, space up front was more limited compared to the Escalade and Navigator. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 775 litres of cargo space with all three rows 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 the Grand Wagoneer's extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2023 Acura RDX provided ample space in the front seats, with additional power adjustments for side bolsters and thigh extension in the top trim level. The standard heated and ventilated front seats offered quick temperature adjustments, and a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, and a panoramic moonroof were also standard. The rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. The RDX offered 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a deep bin under the cargo floor for additional storage. Folding the rear seats expanded capacity to 1,668 litres, and remote seatback levers made the transformation easy. The centre stack's gear selector buttons and drive mode dial took up space, but overall, the RDX provided adequate storage options.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and offered a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear seat entertainment system added a pair of 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air software updates. However, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2023 Acura RDX used a touchpad infotainment controller, which was challenging to use, especially while driving. The dashtop display was not a touchscreen and was out of reach. The experience improved with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity, allowing for easier operation. The infotainment system featured sharp graphics, quick responses, and logically arranged menus. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote monitoring via the Acuralink smartphone app. A 16-speaker ELS Studio premium audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, 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 two levels of driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2023 Acura RDX received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, rain-sensing wipers, and front and rear parking sensors. The Platinum Elite A-Spec package added a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. The adaptive cruise control provided smooth inputs, though the lane-keep assist was better suited for straight highways.