Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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, featuring laser-etched knurling in the grille slots. It offered a choice between standard 20-inch wheels and optional 22-inch wheels, with acrylic glass-covered wheel centre caps to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The interior boasted high-end materials and convenience features, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, on the other hand, was crafted by removing the third row from the standard seven-passenger Atlas model, lowering the roofline by nearly 6 centimetres, and shortening the SUV’s length by 13.2 cm. This resulted in a bold, sporty, and upscale appearance, particularly in the Execline trim with newly standard 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Atlas Cross Sport maintained a roomy interior for five people, though its cargo space was reduced to 1,141 litres behind the second-row seat and a maximum of 2,203 litres. The interior featured a combination of Pure Grey exterior with Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior, offering a sophisticated look. However, the presence of hard, glossy plastic dulled the impression of quality, and the numerous storage areas lacked Volkswagen’s typical rubber or fabric lining, leading to potential rattles and scraping noises during drives.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it could accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also included the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, providing adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, it boasted impressive off-road capabilities, although its size limited its trail performance. The ride was smooth at lower speeds, but at higher speeds, it felt bouncy, and the steering was imprecise.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and an available 3.6-litre V6 producing 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a more satisfying driving experience, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Atlas Cross Sport featured VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with multiple driving modes, including Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad. While the V6 felt energetic, the drivetrain occasionally lacked refinement, and the ride quality was harsh at lower speeds. At higher speeds, the suspension felt too soft, leading to a floaty and wallowy ride. However, the Atlas Cross Sport excelled on highways, offering agreeable ride quality and efficient performance.

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 the Escalade and Navigator. The Grand Wagoneer provided 775 litres of cargo space with all three rows 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 its extra weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, sharing its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger model, offered an exceptionally roomy interior for five adults. It featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of space, while rear side-window sunshades provided additional comfort. The Atlas Cross Sport boasted ample storage space, although the lack of lining in storage areas could lead to rattles. Its cargo area offered plenty of load-floor real estate, with deep wells for carrying items that required restraint. Despite its shorter length and lower roofline, the Atlas Cross Sport accommodated full-size suitcases with ease.

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 access to a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added a pair of 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer utilized the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software updates. However, the screen response was occasionally slow, and the instrument cluster’s graphics were considered plain.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring a 10.25-inch screen, an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system provided access to Car-Net remote connectivity, allowing for remote access and vehicle performance reports. However, the user experience was often frustrating, with issues related to touchscreen interaction and voice recognition technology. The Execline trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system, delivering impressive sound quality for its price point.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet received crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. 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, traffic-sign recognition, and two levels of driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, requiring drivers to keep their hands on the wheel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. All models in Canada received adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The Execline trim included adaptive LED headlights, a semi-autonomous Park Assist system, and an Area View 360-degree camera system. While Travel Assist was generally accurate, it occasionally lacked refinement, and the Lane Assist technology sometimes misinterpreted road markings.