Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Kia Seltos

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a traditional design characterized by a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel centre caps were protected by acrylic glass. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent suspension, and the use of aluminum and composite materials helped reduce weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a luxurious experience with high-end materials, 24-way power front seats, and Nappa leather upholstery, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a practical and stylish small SUV option. The Seltos Nightfall Edition, similar to the top SX grade, featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The interior boasted exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents, although the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, with knobs and buttons for easy access to frequently used features. Despite some design quirks, the Seltos was larger, more refined, and more powerful than many of its competitors, providing a compelling option in the small SUV segment.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, 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 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. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, offered adjustable height settings for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer was capable of handling off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely driving pace, as its ride could become bouncy at higher speeds.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a more engaging driving experience. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds, and the Seltos had a ground clearance of 18.5 centimetres. While the Seltos excelled in urban environments, its suspension tuning was less refined, resulting in a bouncy ride on uneven roads. Despite these drawbacks, the Seltos remained a strong contender in its class, offering a lively driving experience and good handling in most conditions.

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. However, space in the front row was more limited compared to these rivals. 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, enhancing its practicality and convenience.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a spacious interior that was easy to access thanks to its ride height and large door openings. The front seats were comfortable, with heated options available on most trims. The rear seat provided ample legroom and footroom, accommodating adults comfortably. The Seltos offered 752 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down. Storage solutions included a smartphone shelf and grocery bag hooks, although the use of hard plastic in some areas detracted from the overall comfort. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Seltos provided a practical and versatile interior for daily use.

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 and 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot added to the vehicle's tech appeal. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system included dual 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 system, with its Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates, although the screen response was occasionally slow. The Grand Wagoneer also provided a head-up display and a separate touchscreen for the front passenger, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, navigation, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, although the latter required a wired connection. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access to primary functions. However, the lack of a native conversational voice recognition system was a drawback. The Seltos also offered connected services with safety-related functions, although the voice recognition system was less reliable without an active subscription.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a range of standard 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, although a hands-free version was planned for future release. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Seltos also featured lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The SX trim offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the SX trim, while the NHTSA awarded it an overall rating of four stars. The Seltos also included safety-related connected services, enhancing its appeal as a safe and reliable vehicle.