Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Kia Carnival Hybrid

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches, giving it an upright profile reminiscent of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling in the slots. The vehicle's interior shared styling features with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke steering wheel, but offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, including 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional Palermo leather.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid underwent a significant design overhaul, adopting a more SUV-like appearance with a new front fascia and larger grille. The headlights were repositioned to accommodate this change, and daytime running lights extended onto the hood's forward edge. Despite these efforts, the Carnival Hybrid retained its van-like appearance, albeit less handsome than its predecessor. In Canada, the hybrid model reduced the number of trims to three, with the LX+ trim featuring 17-inch wheels and higher trims offering 19-inch wheels and a Dark Edition. The interior carried over from the 2024 model, with a premium navy and grey design in the SX+ hybrid, complemented by high-quality materials and a distinctive cross-hatch pattern for the Bose audio system's speaker grilles.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty 2,900-kilogram weight. The vehicle came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, along with a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer boasted impressive off-road capabilities, although its size limited its trail performance.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid featured a powertrain similar to the Kia Sorento Hybrid, combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor. This setup produced a total system output of 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, compared to the non-hybrid Carnival's 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both hybrid and non-hybrid models were front-wheel drive, with the hybrid offering three levels of regenerative braking. The Carnival Hybrid provided a smooth driving experience, with excellent steering and minimal body roll, although the turbo-four engine worked hard on steeper inclines. The vehicle's quiet cabin and comfortable ride quality were notable, even with larger 20-inch wheels.

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 and Lincoln Navigator, although front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Its maximum towing capacity was 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to the Grand Wagoneer's additional weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid maintained the non-hybrid model's eight-passenger seating, with sliding and removable second-row seats and fold-flat third-row seats. The SX+ trim offered VIP Lounge Seats with reclining captain’s chairs, although these were not removable. Interior dimensions remained consistent with the non-hybrid model, providing competitive headroom and legroom across all rows. The Carnival Hybrid offered 1,138 litres of cargo space behind the third row and 4,108 litres with both the second and third rows folded. The interior featured a rotary shifter, functional centre console, and easy-to-reach controls, with ample storage and charging options.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. The infotainment system supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system adding two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates, although the screen response was somewhat slow.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX+ trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, and over-the-air update capability. The hybrid model also offered USB ports for all three rows, a power outlet in the cargo area, and tech options like an 11-inch head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system's switchgear could be confusing, but the overall tech package was comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of publication. Standard safety features included 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 a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid's updated safety ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. The 2024 model received mixed ratings from the IIHS and was unrated by the NHTSA. The Carnival Hybrid retained its comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The SX+ trim featured a 360-degree camera system and blind-spot camera system, although the blind-spot monitoring system was overly sensitive.