Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Lexus RX Hybrid

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 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, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling in the slots. The interior was a blend of luxury and functionality, boasting a nicely integrated infotainment touchscreen, a large rotary shift knob, and a two-spoke steering wheel. It offered 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.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, meanwhile, was a modern take on luxury, with a cleaner, more minimalistic interior design. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle featured beautiful Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance model had a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim. The exterior design was subtle, with the RX 350h looking nearly identical to the standard RX 350, save for the badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with a blacked-out grille, matte-black 21-inch wheels, and more aggressive bumper designs. Despite its blunt-nosed appearance, the RX was a comfortable and luxurious ride, with a panoramic moonroof and ambient lighting enhancing the overall experience.

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. The vehicle 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 was standard, offering adjustable height for various driving conditions. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride at higher speeds and imprecise steering.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more efficient and varied performance. The RX 350h featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model boasted a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in closer to six seconds. The RX 500h included an adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system, providing a more engaging driving experience. However, the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 11.3 L/100 km, while the RX 350h achieved a more respectable 7.4 L/100 km.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered ample interior space, seating 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. Cargo space was generous, with 775 litres available with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. The Grand Wagoneer also boasted a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, although this was slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to the Grand Wagoneer's additional weight.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, while not as spacious as the Grand Wagoneer, offered a comfortable and luxurious interior. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance model had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters. The RX provided 838 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the back seat folded down, an improvement over the previous model. However, rear headroom was somewhat limited due to the placement of the battery pack and the vehicle's lower roofline.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. The Uconnect 5 system offered over-the-air updates and an Android-based operating system, although the screen response was occasionally slow. The Grand Wagoneer also included a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and an optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, the Lexus Interface, which required subscription services for full functionality. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cloud-based navigation system, and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. While the system generally performed well, it had some drawbacks, such as limited simultaneous screen views and reflections on the display. The RX also offered a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, although these were less effective when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a suite 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, and night vision. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with plans for a future hands-free version.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. Additional features included lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. However, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations.