Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in 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, featuring laser-etched knurling in the grille slots. It offered a new body-on-frame architecture with independent front and rear suspension, and weight-saving features like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it shared styling cues with the Wagoneer but boasted higher-quality materials and more convenience features, such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, initially a surprising blend of Mustang styling with a five-door crossover SUV, proved to be a smart move for Ford. Its long, narrow, and tall dimensions carried Mustang cues like galloping horse emblems and tri-bar taillights, tying it visually to the iconic pony car. The Mach-E GT, in particular, stood out with revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille, exuding style, quality, and technology. Inside, it felt like a luxury car with artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, copper stitching, and a high-tech ambiance created by metallic and gloss-black trim paired with two rectangular display screens. The Mach-E GT successfully blended past, present, and future in an appealing electric vehicle.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in about six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. It featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With 25.4 cm of ground clearance and the ability to ford up to 60 cm of water, it was equipped for off-road adventures, though its size limited its trail capabilities. The Grand Wagoneer offered a quiet cabin and smooth ride, but its handling felt ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrains, with horsepower spanning from 266 to 480 and torque from 317 to 634 lb-ft, depending on the configuration. The Mach-E GT Performance Edition featured an extended-range battery and AWD, producing 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. It offered Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled driving modes, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for racetrack use. The Mach-E GT impressed with its fast acceleration and overall driving dynamics, though the steering lacked engagement. The ride quality was firm, but Ford controlled body motions well. The Mach-E GT proved more efficient than expected, with a test drive energy consumption of 22.9 kWh per 100 km, better than the official estimate.

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, though front space was more limited. With 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed, it surpassed rivals in commonly used configurations. However, with all seats folded, its 2,667 litres of cargo space fell short of competitors. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. It featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, though forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, as a crossover SUV, offered seating for up to five people and 965 litres of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk. The Mach-E GT Performance Edition featured performance seats with unique upholstery and a tiered centre console with ample storage. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed sufficient legroom and a panoramic glass roof for an airy environment. Behind the back seat, it offered 841 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,691 litres with the rear seats folded. The front trunk added another 133 litres of cargo space, designed to get dirty and equipped with a drain plug for easy cleaning.

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 touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the system offered many features, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain, though the head-up display was clear.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync 4A infotainment platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. Sync 4A learned user habits and suggested destinations, while the touchscreen controlled climate and vehicle settings. The system was user-friendly, though a radio tuning knob and driving mode button were missed. The Bang & Olufsen sound system was excellent, and a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display provided essential data. Phone As A Key technology allowed smartphone-based vehicle access, offering convenience despite initial trust concerns.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer lacked crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA due to its new launch. Standard safety features included 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 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The latest BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system was standard on most trims, with new features like lane-change function and predictive speed assist. BlueCruise 1.2 impressed during testing, though it required constant monitoring. The Mach-E received top safety marks from IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022 and 2023. NHTSA ratings were incomplete, with top scores for side-impact protection and rollover resistance but missing frontal-impact results.