Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Mazda CX-5

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, presented a traditional SUV aesthetic. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile, reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Distinguishing itself from the standard Wagoneer, the Grand Wagoneer boasted a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, adorned with laser-etched knurling in the slots. The vehicle's wheel centre caps, available in 20-inch or optional 22-inch sizes, were protected by an acrylic glass covering the “Wagoneer” logo. Underneath, a new body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to reduce weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared styling cues with the Wagoneer but offered more luxurious materials and features, such as 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, standard heated seats, and optional ventilated second-row seats. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a stylish and high-quality choice in the compact crossover SUV segment. It exuded the feel of a small luxury SUV, with high-quality materials and a sophisticated design. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the model boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. Mazda's decision to redesign and rename the CX-5 as the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, allowing for product overlap to ease the transition for loyal customers. The CX-5, regardless of the version, offered quality, refinement, and sophistication. Buyers could choose between a standard 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine or a more powerful 256-hp turbocharged variant. The lineup spanned from the GX at $31,250 to the GT at $39,850, with the 2.5 Turbo Signature model priced at $46,755, including destination charges. The test vehicle featured Rhodium White metallic paint, Cocoa Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, and a rear bumper guard, making it a worthy contender in the compact crossover segment.

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, equipped with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds. The vehicle, weighing around 2,900 kilograms, featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, which included a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, was height-adjustable, providing up to 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance and enabling a 25-degree approach angle, 24-degree departure angle, and 22-degree breakover angle. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace, as its ride could become bouncy at higher speeds, and its steering was imprecise.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered a choice between a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The turbo engine, when run on premium fuel, delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with regular gas. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine's torque arrived at 2,000 rpm with regular gas and 2,500 rpm with premium fuel, providing a quick and enjoyable driving experience. The CX-5's structural rigidity, improved suspension dampening, and reduced interior noise contributed to a refined driving experience. The vehicle's handling was responsive, with minimal body roll in curves and corners, and the ride quality was firm and connected, aligning with Mazda's sporty driving identity.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer provided 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, the cargo space measured 2,667 litres, less than some competitors. The vehicle had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to the Grand Wagoneer's extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, updated for the 2022 model year, featured improved front seats for enhanced comfort and support. All versions had a height-adjustable driver’s seat, with power adjustment available for both front seats in higher trims. The Signature trim included Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Despite the high-quality materials, the CX-5's technology, storage space, rear-seat head and legroom, and cargo space were less impressive. The cargo area offered 871 litres of space behind the rear seat and 1,680 litres with the back seat folded, less than many mainstream rivals. The infotainment system lacked a conversational voice recognition system, and the control knob required memorization and focus, making it less user-friendly.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a McIntosh audio system, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which had an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software update capability. While the system offered a range of features, the screen was sometimes slow to respond, and the instrument cluster’s graphics were considered plain.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch display, was visually appealing but functionally frustrating. It lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and the physical controls on the centre console were awkward to use. The control knob required a series of twists and pushes to execute commands, making it less intuitive than a touchscreen. Despite these challenges, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, a front-facing camera, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of its release. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. 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, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with most i-Activsense technology offered as standard equipment. Exclusive features for the 2.5 Turbo Signature included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, a rear low-speed automatic emergency braking system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly and accurately, with an Active Driving Display showing operational status and alerts. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the IIHS. However, the vehicle lacked a warning message for driving without headlights at night, a concern that Mazda needed to address.