2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Volvo XC40

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a similar appearance to the smaller 2021 Grand Cherokee L, characterized by 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, featuring laser-etched knurling in the grille slots. It also offered 20-inch standard wheels with optional 22-inch wheels, and an acrylic glass covering on the wheel center caps to protect the “Wagoneer” logo.

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 elevated the experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional higher-grade Palermo leather. The interior also featured aluminum and American Walnut wood trim, with seat controls placed high on the doors, reminiscent of Mercedes. The dashboard prominently displayed “Grand Wagoneer” to remind passengers of the vehicle's identity.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 maintained its distinctive design, combining Volvo’s current design language with a flat-roofed profile. It featured a clean exterior with hidden tailpipes for gasoline models, aligning with Volvo’s pro-electrification ethos. For 2023, updates included pixelated “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, a more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. The XC40 shared its Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform with the Volvo C40 Recharge and Polestar 2, making it the only CMA-based model in the U.S. available with a combustion engine.

The XC40’s interior retained its minimalist design, with thin air vents framing the central touchscreen and scalloped elements housing door handles and speaker grilles. It offered dual-zone automatic climate control, with an optional air purifier, and leather upholstery, with vegan leather for Recharge models. The XC40 Ultimate test vehicle included a panoramic moonroof and an Orrefors crystal shift knob, though the all-black interior seemed designed for practicality over luxury. The fit and finish were commendable, but the materials reflected its entry-level status in Volvo’s lineup.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, impressive for its roughly 6,400-pound 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.

The Grand Wagoneer boasted 10 inches of ground clearance, a 25-degree approach angle, a 24-degree departure angle, and a 22-degree breakover angle. It could ford up to 24 inches of water and was equipped with skid plates for off-road protection. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best driven at a leisurely pace, as its ride became bouncy at higher speeds, and the steering was imprecise. Its size limited its off-road capabilities, and it lacked Jeep’s “Trail Rated” badge.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains, featuring a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator. This system assisted the gasoline engine, improving fuel economy and smoothing power delivery. The base B4 powertrain combined the mild-hybrid system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 197 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The B5 model offered a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four, rated at 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission standard for both.

The B4 was FWD-only, while the B5 was AWD-only, with acceleration from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and 6.1 seconds, respectively. The XC40 Recharge, with its two electric motors, produced 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and an EPA-rated 223-mile range. The XC40 handled corners with composure and absorbed bumps well, offering a refined driving experience. It lacked a sport driving mode but allowed for increased steering firmness, which was not recommended.

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, though front space was more limited. Cargo space was generous, with 27.4 cubic feet with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. However, its 94.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded was less than its rivals.

The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, 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. Forward visibility was somewhat limited by the hood, but the standard 360-degree camera system helped mitigate this issue.

The 2023 Volvo XC40, while compact, offered reasonable space for its class. It tied with the BMW X1 for rear-seat headroom and was only slightly behind the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class in front-seat headroom. Legroom was average, but generous shoulder room enhanced the feeling of spaciousness. Cargo space was 20 cubic feet with rear seats up and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded, less than the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. A power tailgate and keyless entry were standard on Plus and Ultimate models.

The XC40 excelled in interior storage, with scalloped door panels providing flexibility for bottles or handbags. The center console storage bin and phone tray were also sizable, considering the vehicle’s dimensions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot for up to eight devices. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system adding two 10.1-inch screens.

The Grand Wagoneer’s infotainment system included a second screen below the main one for seat massagers, with a row of buttons for quick access to functions. An optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger controlled navigation and rear-seat entertainment. Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto allowed streaming through the vehicle’s screens. The Uconnect 5 system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates, though the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 adopted the Android-based infotainment system from the XC40 Recharge, using Google apps for navigation and voice recognition. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen were standard, with a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available on the Ultimate trim. The infotainment experience was similar to other Volvo models with Android, offering pleasing graphics but potentially less satisfaction for Apple users.

Volvo’s minimalist design meant few analog controls, with most functions accessed via the touchscreen. This included activating seat heaters and selecting driver-assist features, which could be cumbersome. The option to increase steering firmness was also available through the touchscreen.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It included 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 a driver-attention monitor, night vision, traffic-sign recognition, and advanced driver-assistance systems. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering, requiring hands-on driving, with a hands-free version planned for certain highways.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 emphasized safety with standard features like lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, traffic sign recognition, and blind spot monitoring. Upgrading to the Plus trim added front parking sensors, while the Ultimate trim included side parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. The IIHS gave the XC40 top “Good” ratings in most crash tests, though it received an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side-impact test. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline XC40 a five-star overall safety rating.