Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Hyundai Palisade

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was a striking presence on the road, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, which lent it a 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. Its grille leaned forward slightly, adorned with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel centre caps were protected by an acrylic glass covering. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture, shared with the standard Wagoneer, allowed for independent front and rear suspension, while the use of aluminum and composite materials helped save weight.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared some 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 boasted 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, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim. Subtle differences, like Mercedes-style seat controls on the doors and the "Grand Wagoneer" inscription on the dashboard, further set it apart from the Wagoneer.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, made a bold statement with its updated styling. The new front fascia, featuring bolder strokes and new headlights, gave the SUV a stronger look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights enhanced its presence, while the squared-off grille added a commanding touch. Body-colour mirrors with heated, powered features were standard, and the Ultimate Calligraphy trim boasted premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. In Canada, 20-inch alloy wheels were standard, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering a new multi-spoke design. A new colour, Robust Emerald, was introduced for the Ultimate Calligraphy models, adding a subtle elegance to the lineup.

Inside, the Ultimate Calligraphy-trim tester impressed with its stylish and attractive interior. The dual-pane sunroof brightened the cabin, and premium Nappa leather was standard. The base Preferred model featured cloth seats, while other trims offered leatherette or leather upholstery. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats were standard, with ventilated front and rear seats available on higher trims. The second-row seats came in a bench configuration for lower trims, with captain's chairs available on the Ultimate Calligraphy, featuring new wing-out headrests. The Palisade's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with thoughtful features like HVAC vents in all three rows and ample storage options.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering an impressive 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, a notable feat for a vehicle weighing around 2,900 kilograms. Standard four-wheel drive (4WD) was a key feature, with the Quadra-Drive II system offering a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential for maximum traction. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, allowed for height adjustments to enhance off-road capability, reduce aerodynamic drag, or ease entry and exit.

The Grand Wagoneer boasted 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance, enabling a 25-degree approach angle, 24-degree departure angle, and 22-degree breakover angle. It could ford up to 60 centimetres of water and was equipped with skid plates for added protection. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a stately pace, as its ride could become bouncy at higher speeds, and the steering felt imprecise. While it excelled in off-road conditions, its size limited its trail capabilities, and it did not receive Jeep's "Trail Rated" badge.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, offering more power than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The eight-speed automatic transmission could be controlled with standard paddle shifters, and in Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard. The HTRAC all-wheel drive system demonstrated its capability during a muddy off-road test drive, providing stability when the vehicle began to slide.

While the Palisade was not designed for rock-crawling, it offered a comfortable ride, appealing to its target audience. It had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, with a dedicated Tow Mode optimizing gear shifts. Fuel economy was competitive, with consumption rates of 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

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, space in the front row was more limited compared to the Escalade and Navigator. The Grand Wagoneer excelled in cargo space, offering 775 litres with all three rows in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, it provided 2,667 litres of cargo space, although this was less than some rivals.

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 ample storage bins. The standard 360-degree camera system improved visibility, compensating for the limited forward view caused by the hood design.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade comfortably seated seven or eight passengers, with generous legroom in all three rows. It offered 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. Passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, and the second-row seating facilitated easy access to the third row with a one-touch seat slide. The third-row seats featured 60/40-split folding, with power folding available on higher trims. Cargo space was ample, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,297 litres behind the second row, and 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded flat. A hands-free smart liftgate was standard on all but the base trim.

The Palisade prioritized passenger comfort, with HVAC vents in all three rows and two cupholders per person. The centre console included a phone holder and additional storage space. The layout of physical buttons and knobs was intuitive, and automatic dual-zone climate control was standard.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices were standard. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a second screen below the main touchscreen for additional functions.

The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates, powered the Grand Wagoneer's technology. While the screen response was occasionally slow, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade raised the bar with a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. A premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims. The Palisade allowed for Bluetooth connectivity of up to two devices and offered USB charging ports in all rows. A wireless charger was standard on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim.

Drivers enjoyed a 4.2-inch colour driver info display or a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims. An in-car intercom facilitated communication between front and rear passengers, and a colour head-up display was standard on the Ultimate Calligraphy. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system provided remote accessibility and management features, allowing users to view vehicle information and control certain functions via an app.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet received crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the time. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, 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 advanced driver-assistance systems.

The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. A hands-free version was planned for future release, with driver monitoring to prevent misuse.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features was standard, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were newly standard. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was included on all trims, with Highway Driving Assist I and II available on higher trims. A full-display digital rearview mirror was offered on the Ultimate Calligraphy.

Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard, with the latter using an ultrasonic sensor to monitor the back seats. Rain-sensing wipers were equipped on the Ultimate Calligraphy grade.