Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in 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. The grille leaned forward slightly, featuring laser-etched knurling in the slots, while 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 shared styling cues with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it offered more luxurious features, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, as well as heated first- and second-row seats. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available. The interior also featured aluminum and American Walnut wood trim, with seat controls placed high on the doors, reminiscent of Mercedes. The dashboard prominently displayed the "Grand Wagoneer" name, ensuring occupants never forgot the vehicle they were in.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS, in its base GLS 450 form, offered a more understated look compared to its flashier competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. The AMG GLS 63 performance model added visual drama with flared wheel arches and a muscular grille, while the Maybach version was adorned with chrome accents and a traditional hood ornament. The interior of the GLS 450, though basic by GLS standards, still exuded luxury with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were seamlessly integrated under one piece of glass, framed by an upright dashboard.

The GLS 450's interior was designed for luxury, with a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen housed together. While the interior felt high quality, it was perhaps too subdued for those seeking opulence. The GLS offered a comfortable ride, but the suspension lacked the refinement expected from a luxury vehicle, resulting in excessive motion over bumps and in corners. Despite this, the GLS 450 provided a smooth driving experience, with its inline-six engine offering better balance and smoothness compared to a V6, making it a suitable choice for a luxury SUV.

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 featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. Standard four-wheel drive, the Quadra-Drive II system, and the Quadra-Lift air suspension system enhanced its off-road capabilities, offering adjustable ride height and impressive ground clearance. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, assisted by the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450's inline-six engine provided smooth performance, and the electric assist was well-integrated. However, the suspension lacked refinement, resulting in excessive body motion over bumps and in corners. The GLS 450 had a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, which was competitive but not class-leading.

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, front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer offered 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, cargo space expanded to 2,667 litres. The Grand Wagoneer had a towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version offered individual captain’s chairs. The GLS provided excellent second-row legroom, thanks to its long wheelbase. Cargo space was 355 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 2,400 litres with the second and third rows folded. The GLS offered convenient features like one-touch power-folding seats and a power tailgate. However, the touchscreen was difficult to reach, and the centre console had grab handles with no clear purpose.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a McIntosh audio system, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had their own 10.25-inch touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which offered over-the-air software updates. However, the screen was slow to respond, and the instrument cluster’s graphics were plain.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and navigation. The system offered multiple control options, including voice recognition, a touchpad controller, and steering wheel touchpads. The voice recognition system was particularly effective, understanding natural speech well. The GLS also featured augmented-reality navigation, but the embedded navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer included 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 a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and Pre Safe, which prepared the vehicle for a potential collision. Optional features included a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and advanced driver-assistance systems like Active Steering Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.