Kia Sorento vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

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, while 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. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests, along with standard heated first- and second-row seats and a heated steering wheel. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, complemented by 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 Kia Sorento, particularly in the X-Line trim, presented a stylish and rugged appearance. The X-Line trim added rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, and robust roof rails, enhancing the SUV's presence. In Canada, the X-Line was a standalone mid-grade package, and all Sorento models came with standard all-wheel drive, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Sorento's pricing ranged from $34,595 to $48,085 for the gas-only powertrain, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid models starting at $36,695 and $44,995, respectively.

The Sorento's interior exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim on the dashboard. The cabin reflected rock-solid construction, with attention to design detail even in the most affordable models. The Sorento's interior style and traditional cable-operated transmission shifter did not compromise practical storage space. The SUV offered a comfortable and luxurious experience, making it feel like a great deal even at sticker price.

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 Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, despite its weight of around 2,900 kilograms. 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 Quadra-Lift air suspension system was also standard, offering adjustable height for various driving conditions.

The Grand Wagoneer provided 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance, with approach, departure, and breakover angles of 25, 24, and 22 degrees, respectively. It could ford up to 60 centimetres of water and was equipped with skid plates for off-road protection. The vehicle's quiet cabin and air suspension contributed to a comfortable ride, although it felt ungainly at higher speeds due to its size and imprecise steering.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which took nearly 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. However, the Sorento's other engine options, including a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, and a turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain, provided more satisfying performance. The turbo 2.5-litre engine produced 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. This setup allowed the Sorento to accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds.

The Sorento's turbo engine and snappy transmission made it feel energetic, driving more like a sports sedan than an SUV. The suspension offered a blend of compliance and composure, providing excellent body motion control and communication. The Sorento's fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 11.5 L/100 km during testing, but hybrid options were available for better efficiency.

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, space in the front row 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. With all rear seats folded, cargo space increased to 2,667 litres. The vehicle 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.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with appealing Burgundy leather and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were standard from the EX trim and heated in the EX+ and SX. The Sorento's second row was designed for kids, with cupholders, USB ports, climate control vents, and storage solutions. The available panoramic sunroof extended over the second row. The third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and headroom, making it better suited for occasional use. The Sorento offered 357 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,274 litres with the third row folded and 2,139 litres with the second row down. A “smart” power tailgate was available for convenient loading.

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 a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which included an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software updates. While the system offered many features, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's infotainment system varied by trim, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display with navigation and Kia Connect services on higher trims. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although the larger screen required a USB connection for app connectivity. The infotainment system was intuitive, but the font style and graphics might not appeal to everyone. The Sorento shared its infotainment technology with Hyundai models, but voice recognition was less effective in Kias. A 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system was available on the SX trim, and a wireless phone charger was standard from the LX Premium trim.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by 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 advanced 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 Kia Sorento offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system, Junction Assist, and a Blind View Monitor system on the SX trim. The Highway Driving Assist technology provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, maintaining speed and lane position. The IIHS rated the Sorento as a Top Safety Pick, with a Poor rating for LED headlights in Canada. The NHTSA gave the Sorento a four-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact protection and rollover resistance, and five-star ratings in other assessments.