Jeep’s fullsize SUVs, which are larger than the Grand Cherokee L and are sized to compete with the Tahoe or Escalade, is bigger than the Grand Cherokee L.
The return to the Jeep Wagoneer has been known for some time. Last year, the American automaker teased the public with the Grand Wagoneer Concept. It looked very production-ready. It turned out that the show car was actually a thinly disguised version the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer as well as the Grand Wagoneer. This pair of full-size SUVs were designed to expand the brand’s reach into higher-end segments.
Jeep confused automotive shoppers with the Grand Cherokee, a mid-sized SUV with a long wheelbase and three rows of seating. The next-gen Grand Cherokee will arrive in L form, and a standard wheelbase will follow next year. The two-row Grand Cherokee L and the three-row Grand Cherokee L are both on a midsize-SUV platform. Think Honda Passport, Pilot, Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango. The Grand Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have body-on-frame construction and three rows of seats.
The Wagoneer starts at $57.995 and will compete with full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition. All of these vehicles are more expensive but come standard with leather. The $86,995 Grand Wagoneer has a better interior, a larger V8 engine, standard four wheel drive and revised styling to compete with the Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon Denali . Only the LX is more expensive. The Jeeps are distinguished by their class-leading third row and cargo space, as well as the ability to tow up to 10,000 pounds and have some off-road chops thanks to that seven-slot grille.
A New Jeep Family
The Jeep Wagoneer 2022 and Grand Wagoneer will take the off-road carmaker to new markets. However, they don’t sacrifice four-wheel drive capability for passengers room or excellent interior materials. They will be available in three trims (Series I to Series II and Series III) and offer seating for eight people, standard leather upholstery and the best cargo space.
The A-pillar’s diagonal is spanned by a thin stripe of bright trim that runs across both SUVs. It bends around the entire roof and then tumbles down the opposite Apillar. The Grand Wagoneer has U-shaped metallic trim around the side windows. The Wagoneer has a scripted logo on its hood while the Grand Wagoneer is embedded into the grille top. This further differentiates the two. Both have Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer wordmarks at the front doors, which include a patriotic American flag emblem. For a premium look, the Grand receives two-stage Liquid Chrome exterior brightwork.
Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer both have a 123.0-inch wheelbase. Their overall length, width and height are 214.0, 83.6 and 75.6 respectively. The Wagoneer family has an additional 2.1 inch between the front axle and rear axle relative to the Chevy Tahoe or Cadillac Escalade. Additionally, the Jeeps are 3.3 in longer overall. The Tahoe and Escalade measure 5.4 inches longer. With all three rows in place the Jeeps have 27.4 cubic feet of cargo volume compared to 25.5 cubes with GM sport-utes. The total passenger volume is 179.6 cubic foot for the Wagoneer, and 168.4 feet for the Escalade. The 2021 Tahoe is still to be determined.
Wagons, Ho!
Jeep Wagoneer features a 5.7-liter V8 engine with mild-hybrid capabilities. It produces 392 horsepower and 409 pound-feet (392 kilowatts, 548 newton meters). Standard equipment includes an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. However, Jeep will offer the Wagoneer with one or more of three optional four-wheel-drive options. Quadra-Trac I, a single-speed, full-time unit, has a transfer case of two speeds. Quadra-Trac II, meanwhile, is a dual-speed unit. Quadra-Drive II is the best, with a two-speed case and an electronic limited-slip differential. It responds faster than the mechanical LSD.
The robust body-on frame structure can tow up to 10,000 pounds with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. A standard front suspension with a short/long arm and five-link rear suspension. All four corners are equipped with monotube shocks and coil springs. The Quadra Lift air suspension by Jeep is an option. It increases maximum ground clearance from 10.1 inches to 8.3 inches under standard steel springs. The Jeep’s Advanced All-Terrain Package offers four steel skid plates underbody protection.
Uconnect 5 infotainment is standard on the Wagoneer. It’s displayed on a touchscreen display of 10.1 inches. The instrument cluster is 10.3 inches on all Wagoneers. An optional 10.3 inch screen can be added at the bottom to control HVAC and other comfort functions. Uconnect 5 is one the most user-friendly infotainment systems available, but this will be the first time it’s used for climate control duties. The split-screen layout is expected to be more user-friendly that similar systems from Audi or Land Rover.
A Grand Entrance
The Grand Wagoneer’s 6.4-liter V8 is more powerful than its sibling. It produces 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft (351kW and 617Nm), and it sends it via an 8-speed auto to Quadra-Trac II four-wheel drives with a 2-speed transfer case. The spec chart taunts the 420-hp Cadillac Escalade’s rear-drive layouts and the 450-hp Lincoln Navigator’s. However, both have a 10-speed auto to use. Both are less powerful than the Jeep, but the Navigator has a lot more torque at 510 lbft (691 Nm).
Standard equipment (and expected at the high price of $86,995) includes an air suspension. This reduces step-in height and loading height, lowers the SUV when it is being driven to cheat wind resistance, and allows for more space under to allow for up to 10.2 inches of ground clearance. We find it hard to believe that anyone would spend 90 grand on an SUV in order to drive it off-road. These people will be more interested in technology and interior comfort, which the 2022 Grand Wagoneer promises.
The standard Captain’s chair is found in the first two rows. It has a fixed centre console that mirrors the one in the front row. If large families need to seat eight, they can choose a bench seat. The Jeep is a rare vehicle in this class, with its extensive use of aluminum trim and genuine wood. Its craftsmanship is at least as good as its domestic counterparts. The Grand Wagoneer has adjustable ambient lighting that gives it a beautiful appearance at night.
The Grand Wagoneer has a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with Uconnect 5 touchscreen and a 10.0-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen. There is also a 10.3-inch passenger-facing productivity screen located on the right side. The screen offers many “copilot” features that allow the driver to concentrate on the road, while the passenger in front adjusts vehicle settings, finds navigation destinations, plays music, and adjusts the volume. The screen can also display a true smartphone mirror that allows the passenger to answer emails, access videos and games, as well as access social media. The privacy filter blocks the driver from seeing the screen, which reduces distraction.
Technologic
The Jeep Wagoneer family will have the Uconnect 5 infotainment and attendant screens as well as productivity features. It will also be the first Stellantis product to offer hands-free Active Driving Assist. This includes lane-centering technology and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning are some of the other options. We don’t know the exact details, but we expect it to be available on the Grand Wagoneer as well as the Wagoneer Series III. This feature is expected to arrive in time for Cadillac’s enhanced Super Cruise.
All Grand Wagoneer models and the Wagoneer Series III come standard with McIntosh Audio, an automotive first by McIntosh known for its high-quality speaker and stereo systems. The McIntosh MX950 base model has 19 speakers, including a subwoofer measuring 10 inches and a 950-watt amplifier. This should provide enough sound quality for most listeners. The Grand Wagoneer Series III is for true audiophiles. It comes standard with an MX1375 Reference entertainment systems – 23 speakers and 1,950 watts. MX1375 will be an optional option on the Grand Wagoneer Series I & II.
Pre-sale reservations are available for the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer. Customers will receive their first deliveries closer to summer. The late-availability Grand Wagoneer Obsidian is for those who want the best Jeep has to give. It features black-finished 22-inch wheels, “Dark Onyx”, metallic exterior accents, and lots of luxurious features. The Obsidian is priced at $98,995, which is $12,000 more than the base Grand Wagoneer, and $41,000 more over the regular Wagoneer. This is a lot of money, but Jeep clearly wants to target a higher socioeconomic group with its latest models.