2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2025 Acura ADX

The 2025 Acura ADX, despite sharing its platform with the Honda HR-V, showcased distinct Acura styling, marked by a large pentagonal grille with diamond-patterned mesh. This design element, combined with its compact size, gave the ADX a striking appearance. Standard LED lighting, including headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, enhanced its modern look, while A-Spec models added LED fog lights for a sportier flair. The rear featured vent-like creases, a hatch-top wing, and dual exhaust outlets, contributing to its sporty aesthetic. The ADX offered 18-inch wheels as standard, with 19-inch options for A-Spec trims, available in Berlina Black or Shark Gray. Six exterior colors were available, with A-Spec models unlocking additional vibrant options like Adriatic Sea Blue and Milano Red.

Inside, the ADX maintained Acura's premium feel, with genuine leather in Red & Ebony for the A-Spec Advance trim. The interior design extended the red leather across the dash and door cards, avoiding the cheap feel of limiting colored elements to the front seating surfaces. While piano black plastic was present, it featured a subtle texture to hide fingerprints and reduce glare. Additional interior color options included Ebony Black and a blue-and-white combo called “Orchid.” However, fun interior colors were not available with non-grayscale exteriors, and the base trim was limited to a Black interior. Despite expectations of cost-cutting, the ADX impressed with its premium look and feel, aligning with Acura's reputation for quality.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that retained its upright stance, low beltline, and large windows. The new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S, gave it a fresh and modern vibe. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks, enhancing utility without compromising elegance. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer featured a modern design with strong horizontal lines. While the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle, it retained some redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, though plain in appearance, offered exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives pleasant.

The interior materials were premium, with solid metal gearshift dials and available Nappa and Palermo leather in upper trims. The Grand Wagoneer impressed with its fit and finish, from the solid thwap of the doors to the sturdy armrest closure. Despite its size, the Grand Wagoneer was agile and easy to drive, with large windows and squared-off corners aiding visibility. It absorbed bumps well, and while there was some tire and wind noise, it remained relatively quiet. The seats provided comfort for a wide range of passengers, even after extended periods behind the wheel.

The 2025 Acura ADX came standard with a front-wheel drive (FWD) configuration, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available for an additional $2,000. It was powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While not the most powerful in its class, the ADX's power output was sufficient for everyday tasks, such as merging onto highways and navigating twisty roads. The ADX offered four drive modes—Sport, Normal, Comfort, and Snow—adjusting engine response, steering feel, and cabin sound. The Advance Package added an Individual Mode for personalized settings.

Visibility from the driver's seat was excellent, aided by slim A-pillars and adjustable seating. Acura's noise cancellation measures effectively minimized wind and road noise. While the ADX's fuel economy was competitive, those prioritizing efficiency might consider hybrid competitors like the Lexus NX 350h. The ADX required premium fuel, similar to its rivals.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. The Hurricane engine outperformed the previous 5.7-liter Hemi V8, offering more horsepower and torque. The Grand Wagoneer also introduced a range-extended electric powertrain with a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque, with a total range of over 500 miles.

Despite its large proportions, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive. Its size helped absorb bumps, and while there was some tire and wind noise, it remained relatively quiet. The seats provided comfort for a wide range of passengers, even after extended periods behind the wheel.

The 2025 Acura ADX offered a premium interior with no cloth materials. The base trim featured leatherette seating surfaces, while A-Spec added microsuede accents, and the Advance Package included genuine leather. The steering wheel was leather-wrapped in all trims, with a sportier flat-bottomed shape for A-Spec models. Heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat were standard, with A-Spec trims adding front-seat ventilation and power adjustments for the front passenger. The ADX provided ample headroom and legroom, with measurements of 38.4 inches for headroom and 41.9 inches for legroom in the front row. Rear seat legroom was 37.7 inches, and cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats or 55.1 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, offering three rows with ample leg and hip room. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for seating up to eight passengers comfortably. The third row accommodated three people of small to average stature without feeling cramped. While using the third row reduced cargo space, it still offered 27.9 cubic feet, sufficient for strollers or athletic gear. The long-wheelbase version increased cargo capacity to 42.6 cubic feet. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. It featured three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated driver and front passenger seats.

The 2025 Acura ADX prioritized technology with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-inch center infotainment screen, and a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster. The center display was a touchscreen, avoiding the trackpad found in larger Acura models. The ADX included a wireless phone charging pad, Bluetooth, USB-C ports, and an eight-speaker sound system. A-Spec models added rear USB-C ports, while the Advance Package introduced Alexa Built-In, Google Built-In, HD Radio, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with a unique "beosonic" app for sound customization.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. It featured a hands-free power liftgate, three-zone automatic climate controls, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and numerous USB ports. Higher trims offered a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, a 23-speaker McIntosh sound system, a front passenger interactive display, and four-zone climate controls. However, the wireless phone charger had issues with overheating, and the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size.

The 2025 Acura ADX included nearly all safety and driver-assistance features as standard, with the only option being a multi-view camera system on the A-Spec with the Advance Package. The AcuraWatch suite provided adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot information, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The ADX earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with safety features such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection-collision assist, and parking sensors. Available features included automated parking assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores in crash tests.