Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq, by establishing itself as a standalone brand focused solely on electric vehicles. This new model showcased a sleek and polished exterior, characterized by minimal character lines and a unique Parametric Pixel design. The exterior lighting, including headlights and taillights, featured an abundance of pixelated elements, giving the Ioniq 5 a futuristic and concept-car-like appearance. Inside, the Ioniq 5 embraced a "Living Space" theme, offering a serene and comfortable cabin with sustainable materials and innovative features like the Relaxation mode for the driver's seat. The interior design was understated yet functional, with a focus on providing a relaxing environment for passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer exuded a more traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile, with distinctive elements like a black roof, model-specific hood, and grille. The Grand Wagoneer's interior was a step up in luxury, offering high-quality materials, 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, and Nappa leather upholstery. The cabin was spacious, with more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors, although front-row space was slightly limited. The Grand Wagoneer also boasted impressive cargo capacity, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains and configurations, catering to different driving preferences. In Canada, it came in two trims, Essential and Preferred, with options for long-range and all-wheel drive. The base model featured a 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant boasted a 168-kW motor with 225 horsepower and a range of 488 kilometres. For those seeking more power, the AWD version combined a 74-kW front motor with a 165-kW rear motor, producing a total of 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, albeit with a reduced range of 414 kilometres. The Ioniq 5's performance was characterized by its smooth handling and four drive modes, including a Sport mode for added excitement.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, generating 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, impressive for its size. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering multiple drive modes for various terrains. Its Quadra-Lift air suspension system provided adjustable ride height, enhancing off-road capabilities and highway efficiency. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely driving pace, as its size and weight made it less agile at higher speeds.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which maximized interior space and utility. With a wheelbase of 3,000 millimetres, it offered more room than its competitors, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5's interior volume of 3,786 litres provided ample space for passengers, although its rear cargo capacity of 770 litres was slightly less than its rivals. The cabin featured a flat floor and a moveable centre console, enhancing versatility and comfort. The leatherette seats were both comfortable and supportive, catering to a wide range of driver sizes.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated up to eight passengers with its optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. The Grand Wagoneer's cargo space was generous, with 775 litres available with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Its towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms was impressive, although slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and ample storage bins, enhancing its practicality for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a high-voltage energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in just 18 minutes, and could charge other devices or vehicles. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app for EV charge management and offered Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air updates. Its 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegantly designed with anti-glare coatings, ensuring clear visibility even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It featured a McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer utilized the Uconnect 5 system, offering an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the screen response was slightly slow, the head-up display provided clear and legible information.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included lane keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record with IIHS Top Safety awards suggested high safety standards for the Ioniq 5.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 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 plans for a hands-free version in the future. Crash-test ratings were not yet available, but the Grand Wagoneer was equipped with advanced safety technologies.