Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Chevrolet Traverse

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. 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 vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent front and rear suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to save weight.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared interior-styling features with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen, a large rotary shift knob, and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Standard heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and optional ventilated second-row seats added to the luxury. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim. Subtle differences, like seat controls placed high on the doors and the “Grand Wagoneer” spelled out on the dashboard, further set it apart from the Wagoneer.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often seen as a glorified minivan, offered a practical and stylish alternative for those seeking an SUV. It featured a light restyle for 2022, with new headlights, taillights, a fresh front bumper, modified grille designs, redesigned aluminum wheels, and updated colour choices. The Traverse RS trim, which sat above the LS, LT, and True North models, showcased blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. Despite its minivan roots, the Traverse's crisply tailored lines, swollen fenders, and tasteful details made it one of the most appealing vehicles in its segment.

Inside, the Traverse RS came with black leather upholstery with red and light gray contrast stitching, black carpets, a black headliner, and gloss black trim. While hard plastic surfaces were prevalent, the interior was logically laid out, with matte-finish black switchgear and white markings for easy use. The stereo controls were particularly user-friendly, and the cabin temperature was easily adjustable with knobs. The Traverse's interior design, combined with its practical features, made it a strong contender in the SUV market.

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 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 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. It 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, allowed for adjustable ride height, providing up to 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a single engine option: a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse had a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped, with Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road driving modes available. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and the vehicle returned a fuel economy of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Traverse's ride quality was firm yet compliant, with a pleasant highway experience despite some road and wind noise. In mountainous terrain, the Traverse felt more athletic than some rivals, with its V6 drivetrain, Active Return Assist steering, and Duralife brakes performing well.

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, front-row space was more limited compared to the Escalade and Navigator. 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 the Grand Wagoneer's extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS trim offered seating for seven with captain’s chairs, as a second-row bench seat was unavailable in RS, Premier, or High Country trims. The Traverse RS featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function and long rear doors facilitated easy access to the third-row seat. The Traverse provided generous legroom, headroom, and foot room for second-row passengers, though the captain’s chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat was accessible via a wide pass-through or Smart Slide second-row seats. Cargo space was ample, with 651 litres behind the third row, 1,637 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,781 litres.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a McIntosh audio system, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which included an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software updates. While the screen response was occasionally slow, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse LS model came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other trims featured an 8-inch high-definition display. The Traverse offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims included an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel and a Bose premium sound system. The Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 technology provided excellent voice recognition, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

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 driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following-distance indicator. The Traverse RS, Premier, and High Country trims added adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The IIHS rated the Traverse Good in most categories but Acceptable in the new side impact test and Poor for its LED headlights and seatbelt reminders.