2022 Wagoneer Wagoneer vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design language when it debuted as a 2016 model. Known for its conservative styling, Volvo managed to add more character to the XC90 while retaining its recognizable features. The XC90 maintained a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, but the details made the difference. Softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights gave it a modern yet classic look. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced “Swedish minimalism” with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, including matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, albeit somewhat out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2022 Wagoneer Wagoneer, Jeep’s largest SUV, followed the design theme of the smaller Grand Cherokee models, featuring a high-mounted grille, LED headlights, a boxy profile, and trapezoidal wheel arches. Unlike the original Wagoneer, it lacked retro styling elements like wood paneling. The Wagoneer rolled on standard 20-inch wheels, which appeared small on its 123-inch wheelbase, with higher trims offering 22-inch wheels. The new body-on-frame architecture accommodated independent front and rear suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors to save weight. Inside, the Wagoneer featured a central touchscreen framed by wing-like structures, a prominent engine start button with knurled detailing, and a two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel. However, the overall material quality fell short of expectations for a premium vehicle, with glossy plastic and heavily-lacquered wood trim detracting from the luxury feel.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard AWD. Despite the impressive 400 hp, the small engine struggled to provide flexibility, and the XC90 often required the gasoline engine to assist even at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. Most models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2022 Wagoneer Wagoneer featured a V8 mild-hybrid powertrain similar to the Ram 1500 pickup truck. The 5.7-liter V8 produced 392 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque, with the eTorque mild-hybrid system using 48-volt electrical architecture to improve fuel economy. The eTorque system enabled a robust engine start/stop system and provided up to 130 lb-ft of torque on initial throttle tip-in. The Wagoneer had an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard rear-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive systems. The Quadra-Trac I system was best for on-road driving, while Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II offered greater off-road capability. The optional Quadra-Lift air suspension provided up to 10 inches of ground clearance and improved off-road performance. On the road, the Wagoneer’s cabin was quiet, and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was responsive. However, the body-on-frame construction caused shuddering over bumps, and the steering lacked precision, making the vehicle feel as large as it looked.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin. Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, near the bottom of the segment. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2022 Wagoneer Wagoneer could seat up to eight people with the standard second-row bench or seven with optional captain’s chairs. The second and third rows offered more legroom than other full-size SUVs, but the front seats had the least legroom among competitors. The Wagoneer had the most rear-seat headroom and average second-row headroom, but less front-row headroom than the Chevy Tahoe or Ford Expedition. Cargo space was 27.4 cubic feet with the third row in place, 70.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 116.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, better than other full-size SUVs but not enough to beat the Tahoe. The Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, surpassing its competitors. The first and second rows had large storage bins, and a covered storage cubby was available below the touchscreen. Forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood, but a digital rearview mirror and 360-degree camera system were available to assist with maneuvering.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports were standard, with a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through menus. However, the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback for drivers with newer phones.

The 2022 Wagoneer Wagoneer was packed with tech, including a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot supporting up to eight devices. A McIntosh audio system was an optional upgrade for the Wagoneer Series III. The Wagoneer could be equipped with up to 11 USB ports and a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. Amazon Alexa connectivity and Fire TV for Auto allowed passengers to stream content. A 10-inch head-up display was also available. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system had an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software updates. The touchscreen’s menu layout was user-friendly, but the screen was slow, and the digital gauge cluster graphics were plain. The head-up display was easy to read even on sunny days.

The 2021 XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models, with top “Good” scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, offering smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles, although it struggled with highway curves.

The 2022 Wagoneer Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard driver-assist tech included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included a surround-view camera system, digital rearview mirror, traffic-sign recognition, a driver attention monitor, and night vision.