2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic nod to its storied past with the Heritage Edition trim. This version was celebrated for its classic design elements, such as bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket, which were best complemented by the Midnight Black color. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was less striking in its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather interior. The exterior design, with its oversized headlights and chrome accents, lacked the character and charm of its predecessors, resembling more of a first-generation Highlander with aftermarket upgrades. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota's familiar switchgear with Lexus-inspired design, offering high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake, creating a sense of stepping back in time.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a more modern and luxurious take on the traditional SUV design. Sharing its frame with the standard Wagoneer, it featured a distinctive black roof, model-specific hood, and a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer stood out with its 20-inch standard wheels and optional 22-inch wheels, both adorned with acrylic glass-covered center caps. Inside, it boasted a high-end interior with Nappa leather upholstery, 24-way power front seats, and a host of convenience features. The cabin was further enhanced with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim, offering a sophisticated and comfortable environment for passengers.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. This engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, was remarkably quiet during acceleration, contributing to its refined driving experience. Despite its power, the Land Cruiser's fuel economy was less than impressive, averaging 14.7 mpg during testing. The SUV's off-road prowess was supported by a full-time four-wheel-drive system, Torsen limited-slip differential, and a suite of traction control features, including Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. Its suspension system, featuring a double-wishbone front and four-link rear setup with KDSS, ensured maximum wheel articulation and a smooth ride over rough terrain. On the road, the Land Cruiser offered a Lexus-like driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight was evident in its handling.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, equipped with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivered 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds. The SUV featured a standard Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system provided adjustable ride height, offering up to 10 inches of ground clearance for off-roading. Despite its impressive power, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace, as its size and weight made it feel ungainly at higher speeds. The air suspension contributed to a quiet and comfortable ride, though the steering was imprecise, requiring careful maneuvering.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The SUV offered a commanding driving position and a spacious second-row bench seat with heated cushions. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable for adults on longer trips. The Land Cruiser provided 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate facilitated easy access to the cargo area, making it practical for outdoor adventures.

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 its competitors, though front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds was impressive, though slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to the Grand Wagoneer's additional weight. The SUV featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and ample storage bins, enhancing its practicality for families.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler era, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. The system, running on Toyota's Entune platform, lacked depth and modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice-recognition system was basic, and the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was outdated, offering DVD playback but no streaming capabilities. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality, though it fell short of high-end audio systems in other luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot enhanced connectivity and entertainment options. Second-row passengers enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, while an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 system, with its Android-based operating system and OTA updates, offered modern functionality, though the screen response was occasionally slow. The Grand Wagoneer also featured Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto, allowing passengers to stream content and share screens.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked advanced features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping assistance. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, leaving its safety performance uncertain.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist, available at launch, combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with a hands-free version planned for future release. Crash-test ratings were not yet available for the newly-launched model.