2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

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, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof and 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.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, part of the third generation of Crosstreks, continued to evolve with subtle design improvements. The 2026 model retained changes from 2024, including new sheet metal and chassis construction. The front fascia featured a frameless grille with a curved wing bar connecting to the headlights, creating a distinctive look. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches included aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a touch of style, while chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The Limited Hybrid trim included a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof, enhancing the cabin's ambiance.

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, impressive for its 6,400-pound weight. The vehicle 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, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, offered adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 10 inches, the Grand Wagoneer could tackle challenging terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. Despite its powerful engine, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a leisurely driving pace, as its ride could become bouncy at higher speeds.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with a 118-hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 miles per gallon, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided excellent off-road capability. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and it exhibited less body lean than previous models.

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 and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Its maximum cargo capacity of 94.2 cubic feet was slightly less than some competitors. The vehicle had a towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon previous hybrid models by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage without the high trunk floor of the PHEV version. The Crosstrek Hybrid retained a 16.6-gallon gas tank, allowing for an impressive range of up to 597 miles. Rear-seat space was generous, with 36.7 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and deep door pockets. The Crosstrek Hybrid offered a practical and spacious interior for its class.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The McIntosh audio system and 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot enhanced connectivity, while second-row passengers enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control. 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 but was occasionally slow to respond. The Grand Wagoneer also included Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto, allowing passengers to stream content and share destinations with the navigation system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, standard in both Sport Hybrid and Limited Hybrid trims. While visually impressive, the infotainment system lagged behind competitors like the Kia Niro Hybrid and Hyundai Kona. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. Many controls were touchscreen-based, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing an alternative to the Starlink software. The Limited Hybrid trim featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, offering configurable displays, although Google Maps couldn't be displayed on the cluster.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of its release. It came with 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 lane centering, requiring hands-on driving, with plans for a future hands-free version.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid had mixed safety ratings, with the 2025 model receiving a Marginal score in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and an Acceptable score in the side-impact test. The NHTSA awarded it five stars for overall safety. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking. However, Subaru had not yet developed a semi-autonomous driving system comparable to those from Ford, GM, or Hyundai.