Name: 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Brand: Jeep

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

EPA MPG: 15 mpg

RECALL ALERT: There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer First Drive

Summary

Introduction

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Is the Automakers 6-Figure Flagship

The full-sized SUV makes a statement with its luxurious interior, tech overload, prodigious power, and mammoth dimensions

Overview

To say the arrival of the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer was highly anticipated is doing little justice to these new SUVs. Jeep fans have been clamoring for the return of the Wagoneer, which was last produced in the 1991 model year, and the Jeep brand has desperately needed it. Since the easily forgotten Commander’s departure in 2010, Jeep has lacked a three-row model in its lineup. In addition, the brand has never had a true luxury flagship.

While the midsized segment void was addressed with the introduction of the Grand Cherokee L, the new Grand Wagoneer is positioned against other luxury three-row SUVs, such as the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80, Land Rover Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The less-expensive Wagoneer is targeted at the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, and Nissan Armada. The Wagoneer line is based on the Ram pickup truck, but rather than using the Ram’s solid-rear axle, it employs and independent rear suspension for a more refined ride.

After renting and driving a production version of the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer from the automaker, we think that the SUV will be a highly competitive challenger to those models. The substantial SUV fills its generous interior with abundant luxury and technology features, produces big power from its massive V8 engine, delivers a driving experience that will fulfill the needs of its target audience, and includes the active safety and driver assistance systems that are, frankly, expected in this price range.

It’s a flashy-looking SUV, particularly the interior with its expanses of wood trim, leather-covered surfaces, and both piano-black and chrome-like details. The exterior and interior styling gives it the presence of being cooler than its competitors just because it’s a Jeep.

However, not all is rosy with the 2022 Grand Wagoneer. There are systems and features that are likely to bring frustration or discomfort, and the 6.4-liter V8 engine’s fuel economy isn’t wallet-friendly.

Whether it’s the 471 horsepower or the 455 lb.-ft. of torque, the 6.4-liter V8 in the Grand Wagoneer is a great engine. Paired with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, the big V8 delivers plentiful power at the slightest press of the accelerator pedal. It’s just as happy loafing around town as it is accelerating onto the highway, and the forceful exhaust note is in line with other Stellantis vehicles (such as the Ram 1500 pickup), which tend to have more aggressive exhaust tuning. Jeep says that when properly equipped, the Grand Wagoneer is capable of towing up to 9,850 pounds, while the Wagoneer—with its 392-hp, 5.7-liter V8—can tow up to 10,000 pounds.

Our rented Grand Wagoneer came equipped with Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension, which has air springs at each corner to adjust for ride comfort and height by up to 3.6 inches. This is helpful in off-road use, when the SUV can be raised for additional clearance, as well as access, when the Grand Wagoneer can drop 1.6 inches to help with getting in and out of the cabin. It also contributed to the Jeep’s comfortable ride. The suspension did a very good job soaking up bumps and controlling body and ride motions. It felt more composed than the Cadillac Escalade we tested.

Impressions

Jeep has carved out an incredible amount of interior room in the Wagoneer. The driver and passenger have plenty of leg, hip, and headroom, and the center console doesn’t cut into kneeroom. The second-row is quite spacious for the two passengers back there in the standard captain’s chairs. But it’s the roominess of the third-row that impresses the most. The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have a wheelbase of 123 inches, which falls in between that of the Chevrolet Tahoe (121 inches) and Suburban (134 inches), yet its third-row feels roomier than either. This seat is fit for two adults to take a long trip without feeling relegated to a penalty box. The bottom seat cushion is also high and nicely angled, providing plenty of leg support while also giving occupants a place to put their feet. There’s still a decent amount of room behind the raised third row for luggage and other items.

The Grand Wagoneer’s big rectangular windows do wonders for side and rear visibility. It’s easy to quickly glance out over either shoulder and take in what’s around the Jeep. The rear window is immense, making it easy to see straight back even if the second- and third-row seats are raised. Add in the surround-view camera and active safety systems like blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning, and there’s little worry when changing lanes or reversing out of a parking spot. Visibility to the front isn’t quite as good, with thick windshield pillars blocking the view, and it’s a challenge to know where the front bumper is when looking out over the long, tall hood. The parking sensors and front camera help when pulling into a short or narrow parking space.

It’s great that many tasks and operations are easily accessed and not buried in multiple levels of menus that are difficult to find. The main screen is simple to navigate, with big text and buttons, while the 10.25-inch lower screen for the climate and seat massage controls is easy to view at a glance. The new Uconnect5 system adds many new features but remains logically organized and keeps much of what has made the system great since it first arrived in the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. Unlike some automakers, Jeep didn’t try to “luxurify” the system to make it distinct to the Grand Wagoneer, a result that often makes an infotainment system cumbersome, distracting, and frustrating to use. It’s essentially the same system you will find in other recent Jeep models.

We noticed a distinct boominess from the big 22-inch wheels and tires when going over bumps, which feels out of place in a luxury vehicle like this. In addition, there was a distinct and noticeable sound when the 6.4-liter V8 would go in and out of four-cylinder mode. At low-load situations, the engine will deactivate four cylinders to save on fuel. This generally causes a resonance, which automakers (including Jeep) will often counter by running “white noise” through the stereo system, effectively washing out or muting the sound with active noise cancellation. The resonance occurred at low speeds, always when the system was moving in and out of four-cylinder mode. We’ll look to see if the Wagoneer with the 5.7-liter V8, which also employs this system, exhibits the same in our testing.

But some of the Grand Wagoneer's controls are overly complicated for no apparent benefit. The touch controls for the seat heating/ventilation and steering wheel heat are one issue. Not only are they slow to respond when “pressed”, they’re also pretty small, making it too easy to hit the incorrect choice. This is worsened by the slow/no response problem, because the driver ends up overly focused on them, which can become distracting. Similarly, Jeep has placed the controls for the seats on the door, and they’re a mix of physical levers/sliders and capacitive-touch controls.