Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Genesis GV80

Given the brand’s war-fighting origins, the idea of a luxury Jeep seems a bit oxymoronic. But premium SUVs that combine off-road capability with comfort and opulence are fairly common these days, and Jeep wants in on the action.

Resurrecting a name that dates back to 1984, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the automaker’s answer to the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80, and Lincoln Navigator. Like these rivals, the Wagoneer is a body-on-frame full-size SUV based on a more mainstream model. In this case, that’s the 2022 Wagoneer, which is also new for this model year (and is covered in a separate review).

Jeep considers the Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer to be components of a new sub-brand, sitting atop the rest of its lineup. In addition to the Wagoneer name and a basic platform, both models share exterior and interior styling and many tech features. So there’s less to differentiate a Grand Wagoneer from a Wagoneer than, say, a Lincoln Navigator from a Ford Expedition. The relationship might be more like that of the GMC Yukon to the Chevrolet Tahoe.

To see if the Grand Wagoneer justifies its “grand” nomenclature, we drove it back to back with a standard Wagoneer, navigating city streets and off-road trails. The Grand Wagoneer launches in Series I, Series II, Series III, and Obsidian trim levels. Our test vehicle was the midlevel Series II version.

We first got an idea of the GV80 in 2017 at the New York Auto Show when the company debuted a concept. Fast forward to 2021 when we saw the first production model and we knew it would be a hit. Over the past two years, our admiration has only grown. Available in Canada with Advanced or Prestige packages, the GV80 is a midsize luxury SUV with plenty of features, offering stellar value for those who recognize a good deal when they see it.

Verdict: With great styling inside and out, plus a healthy choice of potent powertrains, the Genesis GV80 is an attractive and capable option in the midsize luxury SUV segment. Its technology can require a bit of a learning curve, but there are few true faults with this vehicle.