Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Lexus NX

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 aesthetic. Its tall hood, broad shoulders, and upright profile were complemented by trapezoidal wheel arches, giving it a robust and commanding look. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself from its sibling with a standard black roof and unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots, while the wheel centre caps were protected by acrylic glass, showcasing the "Wagoneer" logo. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials, including Nappa leather upholstery and optional Palermo leather, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim. The interior was equipped with 24-way power front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel, ensuring comfort and convenience for all passengers.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned for the year, came in four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. It was unmistakably a Lexus, with its signature spindle grille and refined styling details reminiscent of the Lexus IS sports sedan. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior featured a minimalist design, moving away from the button-heavy dashboard of the previous model. The NX 350 F Sport variant stood out with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-colour fender trim, and 20-inch gloss black wheels. Inside, sport-bolstered seats and a black headliner added to the sporty feel. The NX's interior was comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, standard in Canada. The panoramic moonroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space and light within the cabin.

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 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, offering five drive modes: Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Sand/Mud. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, provided adjustable ride height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer was capable of tackling off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a stately driving pace, as its ride could become bouncy at higher speeds.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The NX 350 F Sport variant added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. On winding roads, the F Sport felt taut and responsive, while the regular NX 350 offered a more relaxed driving experience. The NX 350's turbocharged engine provided a satisfying driving experience, although it lacked the refinement of some German rivals. The NX's handling impressed, with the F Sport variant better isolating impacts from road imperfections. However, the NX was not designed for off-road use, with limited ground clearance and approach angles.

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. The vehicle came with a standard sunroof and four-zone automatic climate control, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered increased interior space, with a 14% increase in cargo capacity behind the back seat, totalling 643 litres. Folding the back seats expanded the cargo volume to 1,328 litres. The NX's interior was comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. The F Sport trim provided better seat bolstering for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space, with rear air conditioning vents and heated cushions. The NX featured a panoramic glass sunroof, extending over the back seat, and a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes, although this was not tested during the evaluation.

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 supported up to eight devices. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 system, offering over-the-air updates and an Android-based operating system. However, the system was noted for its slow response times and plain graphics.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, featuring a 9.8-inch standard touchscreen or an optional 14-inch screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Voice Assistant technology. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The NX's Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands, enhancing user interaction. The NX also offered a digital key feature, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access. However, the larger touchscreen was prone to fingerprints and reflections, and lacked a tuning knob, which was a notable omission.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a range of 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, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 Lexus NX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included lane keep assist, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. New features included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Oncoming Pedestrian Detection. The NX also featured an Emergency Driving Stop System, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Additional safety technologies were available in packages, including rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, and semi-autonomous parking assist.