The Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer helped launch the luxury sport-utility segment back in the 1960s, though it's been 30 years since the brand stepped back from the full-size offerings. Now the two names are back and they're as hungry for the likes of the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade as they are for heading out to the dirt in your nearest national park. We've already seen much of these vehicles, first unveiled as a concept presented last September; but Jeep has now fleshed out the details and revealed pricing and availability, as well as an all-new strategy for dealers who want to offer the Wagoneer.
Though the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer offer similar styling to the recently revealed Jeep Grand Cherokee L, these are genuine full-size SUVs. Body-on-frame and significantly larger than the Grand Cherokee L – around 250 mm in length at 5,453 mm and 150 mm in height at 1,964 mm – the vehicles have much more space inside, much more capability when it comes time to haul toys, and much more presence when they fill a parking space.
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are the same size, the two are differentiated by powertrain as well as by details inside and out. The former is a (slightly) more utilitarian model while the latter looks to be one of the most luxurious vehicles offered by a domestic manufacturer.
V8 Only to Start, PHEV May Come Later
Starting with the basic specifications: at launch the Wagoneer will offer a 5.7L V8 with a 48V eTorque mild hybrid system generating 392 hp and 404 lb-ft. The Grand Wagoneer gets a 6.4L V8 with 471 hp and 455 lb-ft, though it lacks eTorque. A 4xe plug-in model is expected down the road. Both current V8s get an eight-speed automatic and they will come standard with one of three 4x4 systems: Quadra-Trac I, a full-time automatic system; Quadra-Trac II, which allows for manual 4-Hi and 4-Lo selection; and Quadra-Drive, a beefier version with an active low-range transfer case – offering a Wrangler-like 48:1 crawl ratio – and electronic limited-slip differential. Max towing capacity for the Wagoneer is 10,000 lb, while the Grand Wagoneer can manage 9,850 lb.
Grand Wagoneer replaces the steel springs of its sibling with an adjustable, active-damping air suspension system (optional on Wagoneer). The suspension can raise for up to 254 mm of ground clearance or drop down for passenger entry and exit as well as for highway aerodynamics; the system gets a second air tank to quicken response times compared with previous Stellantis models and will have load-levelling capability.
Grand in Space as Well as Style
Jeep claims class-leading passenger volume for both, including a total of 5,100 L of space and seating for up to eight. Cargo space is 800 L behind the third row, putting it slightly ahead of the Chevrolet Tahoe. There is room for 1,800 L behind the second row, about 200 L less than Tahoe, and with both rear rows folded the Wagoneer can hold 3,300L, the Grand Wagoneer 2,700 L, with the former again trailing Tahoe. Jeep says that despite the luxury offered in the interior, these vehicles are designed for those who plan to go out and get it dirty – yes, that includes your muddy retriever or doodle tramping around on the seats. That is, Jeep says, what buyers purchase these SUVs for.
The cabin starts with Uconnect 5C, the latest system from Stellantis that offers one of the best user experiences in the industry. It handles a 10.1-inch display with navigation as standard with a 12.1-inch landscape orientation option, but doesn't stop there and has a 10.25-inch dashboard display on the Wagoneer or 12.3-inch on the Grand Wagoneer. The climate control system is operated through yet another screen on the Grand Wagoneer, one that articulates and can be fitted with a larger, 10.25-inch screen for the front passenger that will let them handle nav duties, climate control, or just watch TV while the driver goes about their business.
Reach further into the options list and there are more screens than a Best Buy before Boxing Day, with twin 10.1-inch screens available for second-row passengers that can let each rider watch a different show via Amazon Fire TV as well as one last screen to adjust the four-zone climate control. Sorry to those in the third row, somehow you're left out.
A nine-speaker Alpine audio system is standard on the Wagoneer. A 19-speaker 950-watt system from high-end audio provider McIntosh is available on the Wagoneer and standard on the Grand Wagoneer. Top-spec Grand Wagoneer models are treated to a 23-speaker 1,375-watt McIntosh system.
Grand Wagoneer Is in the Details
Both versions of the SUV offer the same interior layout that includes impressive luxury detailing like open-pore wood trim as well as a knurled gear selector, but the Grand Wagoneer takes the detailing further with touches like accent stitching around the start button, Grand Wagoneer metal inlays on the passenger side, and available aluminum trim to underline the passenger-side screen. While leather seats are standard across the board, with 12-way power front seats, the Grand Wagoneer Series I boosts it to Nappa leather and Series II and III have a Palermo leather that Jeep claims is the softest you'll find. The Grand Wagoneer boasts 24-way power front seat adjustment with massage, with heat and ventilation offered in the first and second rows. Copper accents and the honey-hued Tupelo interior are exclusive to the Grand Wagoneer.
Exterior styling includes the seven-slot Jeep grille, though any other Jeep branding is conspicuously absent from both the vehicle and the press materials. The Wagoneer hood features lettering of the model name, while Grand Wagoneer has grille-mounted lettering instead and even adds knurled textures inside the areas surrounding the grille trim. Both have LED headlights, though Grand Wagoneer has a more premium look. It also has six-lamp LED fog lights, a unique hood, and a black-painted roof to help set it apart from the standard model. While the models in the photos wear a star-spangled banner on the front doors, Canadian models won't get that extra garnish.
Driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection along with adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, and lane management. Active driving assist will be available first as a hands-on lane-centring and speed-control system, but a hands-free version is expected to come later in the year and the Wagoneer will be the first Stellantis vehicle announced to get that feature. Night vision with the ability to see up to 200 m at night will be available, while all come with a digital rear-view mirror and a head-up display.
New Dealer Experience for Wagoneer
In order to sell the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, dealers were required to apply and gain approval. In the U.S. they are required to meet the J.D. Power Customer First award program – though that isn't offered in Canada – and offer "10 Customer Promises", including the Customer First certification. While not all have been confirmed for Canadian buyers, Jeep Canada has confirmed that it will closely follow its southern counterparts and provide Certified Wagoneer Ambassadors at showrooms, ensure that customers get "an appropriate service loaner", and that customers would get an interior and exterior cleaning with all services; in addition, Canadian customers will have access to a dedicated call center in both official languages.. Perks not yet confirmed for Canada that customers would likely appreciate include: Wi-Fi, phone charging, and "high-quality beverages and snacks" complimentary with service.
Reservations will open via a special website starting March 11, 2021, at noon EST, letting buyers place a $500 deposit to build the Series III Grand Wagoneer of their choice, selecting exterior and interior colours and their preferred dealer. A dedicated concierge service will reach out to pre-order customers to help with their sale.
Pricing for the Wagoneer starts from $69,995, though the Series I won't be available at launch. The Grand Wagoneer starts from $100,995 and ranges to $120,995 for Series III. They are expected to arrive this summer as model year 2022 vehicles and will come with a three-year maintenance program.
2022 Jeep Wagoneer Canadian Pricing
Wagoneer Series I (Late availability): $69,995
Wagoneer Series II: $79,995
Wagoneer Series III: $85,995
Grand Wagoneer Series I: $100,995
Grand Wagoneer Series II: $106,995
Grand Wagoneer Obsidian (Summer 2021): $113,995
Grand Wagoneer Series III: $120,995
Prices do not include $2,495 destination fee
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