Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer exuded 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 black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling. It boasted 20-inch standard wheels, with 22-inch options available, and an acrylic glass covering on the wheel centre caps to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The interior mirrored the Wagoneer’s style but elevated it with high-end materials and features like 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. It was longer and wider, giving it a muscular stance. The CR-V retained its classic D-pillar taillights, now featuring three L shapes for a modern look. The Hybrid Touring trim sported black roof rails, mirrors, and wheels, with 19-inch wheels as standard. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid followed the design direction of the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with a honeycomb grille spanning the dash and high-quality materials. The interior felt premium, with contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel adding an attractive touch.

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. This setup allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, offering five drive modes and a Quadra-Lift air suspension system for adjustable ride height. It boasted 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance and could ford up to 60 centimetres of water. However, its size and weight made it feel ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a new hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 185 km/h. The hybrid system was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered four drive modes: Sport, Normal, Econ, and Snow. The CR-V Hybrid also introduced a new “B” shifter position for increased regenerative braking. It was rated to consume 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 6.9 on the highway, and 6.4 combined, making it more fuel-efficient than its non-hybrid counterparts.

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 its competitors, though front-row space was more limited. Cargo space was generous, with 775 litres available with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. 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.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid benefited from its larger exterior, offering 1,028 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 2,030 litres with them folded. This was comparable to the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and more than the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Touring model included a hands-free power tailgate, and all CR-Vs had wide-opening rear doors for easy access. Rear seat legroom increased to 1,042 millimetres, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The interior featured eight cupholders and a cubby designed to hold two smartphones side by side, with best-in-class console storage.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and had 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 Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered over-the-air updates, though the screen response was noted to be slow.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs, while the EX-L and Hybrid Touring trims had a 9-inch touchscreen. It included one USB-A and three USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and dual-zone climate control. The Hybrid Touring trim added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Honda’s smart navigation system optimized fuel efficiency based on the route.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist systems. New features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The CR-V Hybrid had earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. It also featured new airbags, a stiffer structure, and increased visibility for enhanced safety.