Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Lexus GX

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 a robust and upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling. The interior boasted high-end materials, including Nappa leather upholstery, with options for Palermo leather and American Walnut wood trim. It offered 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, along with heated first- and second-row seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its massive spindle grille and 206 millimetres of ground clearance, commanded a strong visual presence. Its front end appeared ready to conquer the road, framed by large headlights. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, available in three paint colours, including the exclusive Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's interior contained a notable amount of plastic, reflecting its low sales volume and the need for cost-effective manufacturing. However, it still offered luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs, making it easier to navigate technical driving scenarios.

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, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds. It featured a standard Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing traction. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, offered adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities.

The 2023 Lexus GX was equipped with a 4.6-litre V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to newer engines, the GX's V8 offered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. It had a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms, making it more capable than most three-row crossovers. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving. The GX's weight contributed to its rolling through corners, but its predictable handling and strong brakes provided a manageable driving experience. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and standard four-wheel drive system enhanced its off-road capabilities.

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. 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 its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Lexus GX retained ample cubby space for small items, with a deep centre console bin and convenient cupholders. It featured hard buttons for controls, avoiding the trend of haptic-touch interfaces. The centre console lid had adjustable sliding mechanisms for comfort. The second row offered good legroom and headroom, while the third row was tight for regular use. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 328 litres behind the rear seats and 1,322 litres with the third row folded. The side-hinged trunk door required effort to open, and the overall cargo capacity was less than a Toyota RAV4's.

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

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, revamped for 2022, featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the tech offerings felt dated compared to newer Lexus models. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for on-road and off-road driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came with 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 automated lane centring, with plans for a hands-free version in the future.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it featured the Lexus Safety System+ with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Despite its older design, the GX incorporated advanced driver assistance systems, enhancing its safety profile.