Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with other models in the Nissan lineup, such as the 2021 Armada and Rogue. The front of the Kicks featured a bold, snubbed nose with a distinctive "double V-motion" grille design, combining chrome and piano black elements. The headlights were elongated and thinner, extending down the face of the vehicle, with LED multi-reflector headlights and fog lights standard on higher trims. The rear of the Kicks showcased a new bumper and LED taillights, enhancing its proportions and giving it a unique style reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. The model offered a variety of new paint options and maintained its two-tone paint job, which added an upscale look to the vehicle. The interior of the Kicks was upgraded with higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra, and featured new seat and door designs, along with a full centre console armrest in mid-range trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. However, 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, and the wheel centre caps were protected by acrylic glass. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a new body-on-frame architecture, allowing for independent front and rear suspension, and utilized lightweight materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered luxurious features such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim. The interior also included unique elements like high-placed seat controls and a "Grand Wagoneer" badge on the dashboard.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option available. The Kicks featured electric power-assisted steering with vehicle-speed variable assist, making it nimble in various driving conditions. Its handling was supported by a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension with twist beam and twin-tube shock absorbers. Despite being considered low-powered, the Kicks offered a good power-to-weight ratio for its size. The vehicle maintained stability on icy roads, although the CVT could become noisy under heavy acceleration. The Kicks came with standard 16-inch steel wheels on the base model, while higher trims received 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. It also included a traction control system, stability control system, and hill start assist. The Kicks was rated by Natural Resources Canada for fuel efficiency at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 7.2 combined.

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. It came standard with four-wheel drive, featuring the Quadra-Drive II system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The vehicle also included the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, allowing for adjustable ride height and improved off-road capabilities. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could handle various terrains and ford up to 60 centimetres of water. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its size and weight, which affected its handling and ride quality.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a compact cabin with easy-to-reach controls and good small-item storage. It featured a D-shaped steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat as standard. The Kicks provided best-in-class front seat legroom, although its hip room proportions were less ideal for larger drivers. The rear seats could comfortably accommodate adults, a rarity in the subcompact class. The available tonneau cover offered hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer could seat seven 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 and Lincoln Navigator. However, space in the front row 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. 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, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks featured a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard. Higher trims added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and a USB-C port. The Kicks SR Premium boasted a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, including two in the front seat headrests. It also included a surround-view monitor for enhanced parking assistance.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It featured a McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had their own touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear seat entertainment system added two additional screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which supported over-the-air updates and screen sharing for navigation and entertainment functions.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks included Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning. It came with 10 airbags and adaptive cruise control on higher trims. The 2021 Kicks had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received Good marks in crashworthiness. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Kicks a four-star overall rating.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist, 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.