2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2026 Honda HR-V

The 2026 Honda HR-V, available in LX, Sport, and EX-L trims, was priced between $27,650 and $31,500, with an additional $1,500 for all-wheel drive. The EX-L AWD model we tested, featuring Nordic Forest Pearl paint, had an MSRP of $33,455. Despite its somewhat awkward design, the HR-V's green paint and 18-inch alloy wheels enhanced its appearance. The 2026 model introduced new wheel designs across all trims and standard dark-tinted rear privacy glass. Inside, the HR-V's gray upholstery and trim offered a touch of luxury, though only available with specific trims and colors. The EX-L boasted genuine leather seats with unique stitching, upgraded cabin lighting, and detailing, creating a refined interior ambiance.

In contrast, the 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, refreshed four years into its lifecycle, retained its upright stance and large windows but introduced a modern illuminated grille inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The new Upland trim added functional front recovery hooks without compromising elegance. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer featured a clean design with strong horizontal lines. While the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle, it maintained essential controls outside the screen. The seats, though plain in appearance, provided exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives enjoyable. Premium materials and solid construction contributed to the Grand Wagoneer's upscale feel.

The 2026 Honda HR-V was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 138 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. Weighing up to 3,336 pounds, the HR-V's engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) worked hard, especially during acceleration and overtaking. Despite its modest power, the HR-V's fuel economy was underwhelming, averaging 24.8 mpg in real-world conditions, compared to its EPA ratings of 28 mpg (FWD) and 27 mpg (AWD). The HR-V's dynamic tuning, featuring a multi-link rear suspension and Agile Handling Assist, provided a lively driving experience, though its steering was not particularly quick.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. Despite its 6,000-pound weight, the Grand Wagoneer offered smooth and effortless power. The 2026 model saw a powertrain change, with the standard-output Hurricane engine replacing the high-output version. Additionally, a range-extended electric powertrain was introduced, offering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, with a total range of over 500 miles. The Grand Wagoneer's large proportions provided a surprisingly agile and quiet ride, with comfortable seats for long journeys.

The 2026 Honda HR-V's interior lacked the innovation of its predecessor, with the rear "Magic Seat" now folding flat like other crossovers. It missed features like a fold-flat front passenger seat, 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat, panoramic sunroof, rear climate control vents, and USB charging ports. The driver and front passenger had reasonable storage, and the seats were comfortable, especially the height-adjustable driver's seat in the EX-L. The back seat offered adequate space but lacked support and amenities. The HR-V's cargo area provided 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, with three rows offering ample leg and hip room. The optional second-row bench seat allowed seating for up to eight passengers, with the third row accommodating three people comfortably. While using the third row reduced cargo space to 27.9 cubic feet, the long-wheelbase version increased it to 42.6 cubic feet. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds. Features like three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced comfort and utility.

The 2026 Honda HR-V featured a 9-inch touchscreen with a faster processor, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless smartphone charger. However, it lacked built-in navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio. The base LX had four speakers, while the Sport had six and the EX-L had eight. HondaLink offered basic app-based services. The tech was user-friendly, with seamless smartphone integration and a good-sounding audio system. The 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and walk-away automatic vehicle locking were notable features, though the HR-V's tech offerings were simpler compared to competitors.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a comprehensive tech suite, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a wireless phone charger, and a hands-free power liftgate. Higher trims offered a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, a 23-speaker McIntosh sound system, and four-zone climate controls. While the tech generally performed well, the wireless phone charger struggled to charge an iPhone 16. The 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size, and adjustable pedals were no longer available for 2026.

The 2026 Honda HR-V came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-assistive features including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on the Sport and EX-L trims, while front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking were exclusive to the EX-L. The HR-V received favorable safety ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2025.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a comprehensive array of safety features, including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection-collision assist, front and rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, rear-seat reminders, and a driver-attention monitor. 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.