Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Volkswagen Atlas

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar appearance to the lower-level model and the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. It featured traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. 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, and the use of aluminum and composite materials helped save weight.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared styling features with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen, a large rotary shift knob, and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Standard heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and optional ventilated second-row seats added to the luxury. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim. Subtle differences, like seat controls placed high on the doors and the “Grand Wagoneer” spelled out on the dashboard, further set it apart from the Wagoneer.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over from the previous year with minor modifications, following numerous updates in 2021. It was available in four trim levels in Canada: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and Execline. The Execline trim, the top of the Canadian lineup, featured standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch alloy wheels with a machined finish, enhancing the SUV's upscale look. The Atlas's design was big and boxy, with an appealing simplicity and premium flair in the interior. However, the use of low-cost materials, such as hard, shiny, and slippery plastics, detracted from the overall quality, especially given the SUV's price point. The storage areas lacked linings, leading to unwanted noise, vibration, and harshness.

The Atlas's interior was praised for its spaciousness and comfort, accommodating seven people with sufficient head and legroom, even in the third row. The step-in height was relatively low, making it easy to enter and exit. The vehicle offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, causing items to slide around and create noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down. Despite its size, the Atlas was easy to maneuver, thanks to its squared-off hood and available cameras and sensors.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V8 engine enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. The Grand Wagoneer came standard with four-wheel drive, featuring the Quadra-Drive II system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also included Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system with five drive modes: Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Sand/Mud.

The Grand Wagoneer boasted a Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on this model, which was height-adjustable for off-roading, reducing aerodynamic drag on highways, or easing ingress and egress. With the suspension at maximum height, it offered 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance, a 25-degree approach angle, a 24-degree departure angle, and a 22-degree breakover angle. It could ford up to 60 centimetres of water and was equipped with skid plates for protection. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a stately pace, as higher speeds resulted in a bouncy ride and imprecise steering.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It required premium fuel for maximum output and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive. The turbo four had a maximum towing capacity of 907 kilograms and a fuel consumption rating of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, standard on the Execline trim, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The V6's fuel consumption estimate was 12.2 L/100 km in combined driving.

The Atlas offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Active Control calibrations for different conditions. The 4Motion AWD system could decouple the rear wheels to maximize fuel economy, with up to half of the engine's power flowing to the rear wheels. Ground clearance was modest at 18.1 cm for the turbocharged Atlas and 17.9 cm for the V6. The Atlas's driving dynamics were sound, but the V6 engine lacked power, efficiency, and refinement. The Execline's 21-inch wheels provided grip but resulted in a busy ride, with road noise entering the cabin. The Atlas's ride quality felt softer and more compliant than previous models, but an adaptive-damping suspension option was needed for better control.

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, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80, though space up front was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer offered 775 litres of cargo space with all three rows in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, the cargo space was 2,667 litres, less than some rivals. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. It featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven people with ample head and legroom, even in the third row. The step-in height was low, making it easy to enter and exit. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, causing items to slide and create noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and 2,741 litres with the second row down. These figures were larger than those of the full-size Nissan Armada. The Atlas's interior featured cloth seats in the Trendline trim, with V-Tex leatherette seating standard from Comfortline. Genuine leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats were available in higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard infotainment system with 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 a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer had a larger touchscreen than the standard Wagoneer and a second screen for functions like seat massagers. It used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software updates. While the screen was slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas included the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, with an 8-inch display expanding to 10.25 inches in higher trims. The Trendline trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with last-generation infotainment, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and wireless charging. The Atlas offered Car-Net connected services, managing remote start, Last Parked Location, and more. The Execline trim had a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome process for tuning the radio. Voice recognition was hit-and-miss, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the time. It came with standard safety features like 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, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Front Assist included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Comfortline trim added adaptive cruise control and parking sensors, while the Highline trim featured brighter LED headlights and an adaptive front lighting system. The Execline trim included Area View and Park Assist technology. However, the Lane Assist system had issues with old construction markings and exit ramps, and disabling it required navigating the digital instrumentation menu. The Atlas received decent crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.