2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Honda CR-V

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a traditional design featuring a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel center caps were protected by acrylic glass. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent suspension, and the use of aluminum and composite materials helped reduce weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a luxurious experience with high-quality materials, 24-way power front seats, and Nappa leather upholstery, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V adopted a cleaner and more conservative design with a blunt nose, long hood, and stretched wheelbase. The sixth-generation model aimed for a timeless look, with both the CR-V EX and EX-L featuring 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass. Inside, the CR-V's interior was inspired by the latest Civic, with a focus on quality and simplicity. The EX-L trim offered leather-wrapped seats and a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The CR-V's interior was spacious, with a digital instrumentation display and features like a power-adjustable front passenger seat and front and rear parking sensors. The CR-V's pricing started at $31,110 for the EX with FWD, rising to $36,900 for the EX-L AWD with additional features.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-liter 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 60 mph in six seconds, despite its hefty 6,400-pound weight. The vehicle came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, featuring 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. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer was capable of tackling off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. The ride was smooth, but at higher speeds, the vehicle felt ungainly, with imprecise steering.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which was less engaging during hard acceleration. Despite this, the CR-V excelled in ride and handling, with a well-tuned suspension, steering, and brakes. The vehicle managed body motion effectively and provided a comfortable ride over various road surfaces. The CR-V achieved impressive fuel economy, averaging 29.1 mpg on a mountainous route. While the CVT's droning noise was a drawback, the CR-V's overall refinement and dynamic performance made it a satisfying vehicle to drive.

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 and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. It had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, 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 2023 Honda CR-V was touted as the roomiest CR-V yet, though the driver’s seat felt low, giving it a car-like feel. The second row was more spacious, offering a high seating position and ample legroom. The CR-V provided numerous storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and various trays and bins throughout the cabin. The EX-L trim featured a power liftgate, revealing 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While the CR-V lacked ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, it offered practical storage solutions and a comfortable interior for passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The McIntosh audio system and 4G-LTE WiFi 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 its Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates, though the screen response was occasionally slow.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the EX trim. The EX-L trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless charging. While the CR-V lacked some premium features found in competitors, its infotainment system was user-friendly and represented an improvement over the previous generation. The technology package was adequate, though not groundbreaking, and the CR-V's safety features were on par with industry standards.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer included a range of standard safety features, such as a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, with plans for a hands-free version in the future. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Honda CR-V significantly improved its driver-assist systems under the Honda Sensing umbrella. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. New features included a seatbelt reminder system, rear-seat reminder system, and traffic sign recognition. The CR-V's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and new airbag designs aimed to enhance occupant protection. While the CR-V's safety tech met current standards, there was room for improvement in lane-centering assist performance.