Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs INFINITI QX80

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar 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, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel centre caps had an acrylic glass covering to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent front and rear suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to save weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered high-end features like 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests, along with standard heated first- and second-row seats and a heated steering wheel. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, at first glance, bore a strong family resemblance to the Nissan Armada, sharing a platform, mechanicals, and general layout. Its front-end styling was unique, thanks to the distinctive Infiniti grille, which was prominent yet tastefully integrated with LED lighting and conservative chrome use. The QX80's cabin featured upscale materials, with wood trim and quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats. Despite its attractive interior, the QX80's style was considered outdated compared to its premium full-size SUV competitors. The cabin was comfortable and upscale, but the high expectations of the segment meant the QX80's interior fell short of the competition's standards.

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 could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also came with the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offering adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, it boasted impressive off-road capabilities, although its size limited its trail performance. The Grand Wagoneer provided a quiet cabin and smooth ride, but its handling felt ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 housed a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-litre V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. The engine delivered strong performance and a pleasing exhaust note, though it was thirsty and required premium fuel. The seven-speed automatic transmission offered seamless shifts and smooth power delivery, with adaptive shift control and manual mode. The QX80's four-wheel drive system, based on the Nissan Patrol, provided ample off-road capability, with a computer-controlled transfer case and over 23 centimetres of ground clearance. It managed to control body lean during cornering well, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system. The QX80's towing capacity was a generous 3,855 kilograms, suitable for large trailers or boats.

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, Lincoln Navigator, and INFINITI QX80, though front space was more limited. Cargo space was generous, with 775 litres behind the third row and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed, though it fell short of rivals when all seats were folded. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height, aided by a grab handle on the A-pillar. Inside, it offered a spacious cabin with good front-seat head- and legroom, though not as accommodating as the Escalade or Navigator. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with a second-row bench seat or seven with captain's chairs. The third row was cramped for adults, and the power-folding process was slow. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, with 470 litres behind the third row, 1,404 litres with the third row folded, and 2,694 litres with all seats down. The power-operated liftgate was also slow, but the vehicle featured premium touches like illuminated kick plates and welcome lighting.

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, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the system was comprehensive, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came with a 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It included navigation with lane guidance, voice recognition, and Infiniti InTouch connected services. A Bose 17-speaker sound system was standard, along with multiple USB ports and a wireless smartphone charger. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was included, though HDMI adapters were missing. The QX80 lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist due to its older architecture, missing advanced driver-assistance features available in less expensive models.

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, 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 lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 offered standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Additional features included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row passengers. The ProActive grade offered a smart rearview mirror and adaptive cruise control. The QX80 received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, with the structurally similar 2021 model receiving four stars for overall crash protection.