2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches, giving it a robust and upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling. The interior boasted high-end materials, including Nappa leather upholstery, with options for Palermo leather and American Walnut wood trim. It offered 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel, enhancing its luxury appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability and exclusive paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's interior was marred by an abundance of plastic materials, though it did offer heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs, and its shorter wheelbase and minimal overhangs suggested a focus on off-road capability. The interior featured practical elements like hard buttons and a deep center console bin, but the third row was cramped, and the side-hinged trunk door posed challenges.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 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. It featured standard four-wheel drive with the Quadra-Drive II system, offering five drive modes and a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle off-road challenges, although its size limited its trail capabilities. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely pace due to its bouncy ride and imprecise steering at higher speeds.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. While it didn't excel on paper compared to more modern engines, the GX's V8 offered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. It had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds but lagged behind other SUVs in this regard. The GX's fuel economy was a drawback, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight contributed to its rolling through corners, but its predictable handling and strong brakes provided confidence. The Torsen limited-slip differential and standard four-wheel drive system enhanced its off-road capabilities.

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. The Grand Wagoneer excelled in cargo space, offering 27.4 cubic feet with all rows in place and 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 Lexus GX retained ample cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin and conveniently placed cupholders. The interior featured hard buttons for controls, avoiding the complexity of touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, with captain’s chairs and fold-out cupholders, while the third row was cramped and best suited for emergencies. The GX's trunk had a side-hinged door, requiring effort to open, and offered limited cargo space: 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with it folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones and offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, provided over-the-air updates. While the screen response was slow, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was present but unnecessary due to the touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. However, the tech lagged behind newer Lexus models, with a sluggish touchscreen and less crisp graphics. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for improved handling.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA due to its recent launch. Standard safety features included 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.

The 2023 Lexus GX also lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, as it was based on a 2010 model. Despite this, it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While missing some top-end features, the GX's safety technology was significantly newer than its body design.