Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Chevrolet Equinox

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 featuring a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling. The vehicle's interior mirrored the Wagoneer but boasted higher-quality materials and additional convenience features, such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional Palermo leather.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as bold as some competitors, maintained an attractive crossover design with a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. The Equinox was available in four trims, with AWD as an option on the LS and LT trims in Canada. Its profile, featuring a thick C-pillar and large windows, suggested spaciousness. Inside, the Equinox offered two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats. Despite a somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and plastic buttons, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and ample storage space.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in about six seconds. The vehicle featured standard 4WD with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering at higher speeds.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration adequately, it struggled at higher speeds, taking about eight seconds to reach highway speed. The Equinox used a six-speed automatic transmission, which contributed to its noisy powertrain. AWD was available but required manual engagement. The Equinox featured an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth braking, and its well-engineered suspension handled bumps effectively.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven or eight, with more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors. It provided 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. However, its total cargo space of 2,667 litres was less than some rivals. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms and included features like a standard sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox had a cargo area of 847 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,809 litres with the rear seats folded. While not the largest in its class, it offered ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom. The Equinox's interior featured higher-quality plastic components, plenty of storage options, and a nearly silent power liftgate. A panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It also offered a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and optional rear-seat entertainment. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, while slow to respond, provided over-the-air updates and screen sharing capabilities.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a smaller touchscreen, with 7 inches on lower trims and 8 inches on the Premier. Despite its simplicity, the system was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. The Equinox included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. A wireless charging pad was standard on the Premier trim, and a Bose audio system was available as an option.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist and driver-attention monitoring. Active Lane Management System was available, with plans for a hands-free version.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keeping assistance. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on most trims. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests.