2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. It featured traditional styling elements such as a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches, giving it 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 high-end features like 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that could appear jarring in lighter shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile was marked by angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop the wheel wells, while the rear view adopted a Range Rover-like style with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride Hybrid offered a simple, modern dashboard layout with a two-tone palette in the SX Prestige trim. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided a firm ride, while the surrounding materials were of excellent quality for the class.

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. The vehicle 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 handle various terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. The cabin was quiet, and the air suspension provided a smooth ride, but the vehicle felt ungainly at higher speeds due to its weight and imprecise steering.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system, paired with a six-speed transmission, offered a smooth transition between electric and gas power. The Telluride Hybrid was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim. The vehicle provided a comfortable ride, with the X-Pro Prestige trim delivering a surprisingly smooth experience despite its off-road suspension. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment. The hybrid model was quieter than its non-hybrid counterpart, with minimal wind noise at highway speeds.

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 and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place and 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, cargo space increased to 94.2 cubic feet. The vehicle 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 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low seat cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, providing comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could seat seven with captain's chairs or eight with a second-row bench in non-Hybrid trims. Cargo capacity was 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, with the Hybrid model slightly less. Interior storage included a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and door pockets.

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. The second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and Fire TV for Auto. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, based on an Android operating system, supported over-the-air updates. While the system was generally functional, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was user-friendly, though it occasionally required a hard tap to register inputs. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customizable infotainment themes and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system in the SX trim and above, providing powerful and clear sound quality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. 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 a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid also lacked crash test scores from the NHTSA and IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and parking proximity sensors. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor occasionally triggered false alerts at night, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips.