Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, 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, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel centre caps had an acrylic glass covering to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent front and rear suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to save weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a high-end experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional higher-grade Palermo leather, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintained a consistent appearance with minimal changes for the year, introducing a new Cypress Green paint colour. The Highlander Hybrid was known for its over-styled design, featuring exaggerated forms, scowling headlights, and dramatically sculpted rear forms. Inside, the cabin continued the theme of oversized elements, with large air vents, a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and big climate control knobs. However, the interior was criticized for its mismatched textures and tones, and the primary controls felt inexpensive. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid offered a quiet ride on the road, with Toyota focusing on minimizing noise.

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 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds. The vehicle featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could handle off-road conditions, although its size limited its trail capabilities. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering at higher speeds.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing a total of 243 horsepower. The hybrid system provided standard all-wheel drive, with one of the front motors assisting in propulsion and regenerative brakes contributing to battery charging. While the Highlander Hybrid excelled in fuel economy, averaging 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres, it lacked high-speed passing power and struggled with towing. The vehicle offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but its soft suspension and continuously variable transmission made for a less engaging driving experience. The Highlander Hybrid was best suited for city and suburban driving, providing a smooth and quiet ride.

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 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 had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid could carry seven or eight passengers, with most models featuring standard second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was best suited for occasional use, as access was tight and comfort was limited. The Highlander Hybrid offered three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and additional features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats in higher trims. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres with the second row down. The interior included practical storage solutions, although some design choices, like the centre armrest storage console, were criticized for their complexity.

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 a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot supported up to eight devices. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates, although the screen response was occasionally slow.

In 2023, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display with customizable themes. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected service plans, including Remote Connect and Drive Connect, enhanced the vehicle's capabilities, with features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The Highlander Hybrid also included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, although the graphics could have been sharper for better visibility.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a range 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, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with plans for a hands-free version in the future. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with higher trims gaining parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, and Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification.