The renowned Wagoneer nameplate returned to Jeep’s portfolio in the 2022 model year after a quiet retirement in 1991. Now in its Sophomore season, the reimagined Wagoneer offers more to like under hood and in the cargo hold.
It’s hard to miss Wagoneer if parked in Woodfield Mall or cruising next to along Interstate 90. It’s Big….Really BIG; living up to its full-size SUV designation.
Compared to the mid-size five-door Grand Cherokee, the three-row Wagoneer measures a substantial 24 inches longer. Adding to the Big push, Wagoneer in the 2023 debuts an extra beefy “L” edition, (think of ‘L’ as signifying ‘Longer’). The returning Wagoneer already measures in at 214 inches long, but the newly christened L adds an additional 12 inches of length and seven inches of wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle). Much of this newfound acreage locates behind the third row, increasing cargo carrying capabilities by 16 additional cubic feet, while leg room continues opulently generous in rows two and three (best in class by the way).
How does this extra girth play out in the real world? The Wagoneer PR team proudly points out with the rear two rows folded flat, a 4 x 8 plywood sheet would fit snuggly. For those with diminutive ‘designer’ garages (such as this scribe), this behemoth may not fit snuggly inside.
Wagoneer’s sturdy body-on-frame truck-like base structure welcomes off-roading and workman-like towing, not always a given with the wide assortment of lighter duty, five-door uni-body crossover-type competitors.
For growing families in need of significant cargo and human carrying capacities, Wagoneer offers a huge footprint with plenty of upscale amenities available or standard. In fact, Wagoneer purposely positions itself as a premium ‘extension’ of the Jeep brand, although when purchasing a Wagoneer, one must step inside a Jeep/CDJR) dealership.
Look hard since it’s difficult to spot Jeep logos inside or out. The steering wheel face promotes ‘Wagoneer’ as does badging attached to the front grille and back hatch. Even when skies darken and flood lights project down from the side view mirror casings, ‘Wagoneer’ gets promoted rather than Jeep, part of Wagoneer’s push as a luxury sub brand.
However, when starting or stopping the vehicle via the dashboard push-button electric start, the Jeep logo appears within the crisp, bright multi-function screen. The circular dash button right of the steering column conveniently illuminates ‘run’ or ‘off’ depending upon the state of the internal combustion engine. It’s a great reminder as modern internal combustion engines make so little rumbling at idle, while emerging all-electric vehicles produce none.
But plenty of other visual clues await pinpointing this as a Jeep, including the seven-slot front grille, an upright, not curved, back-end roof top and squared wheel wells. Large, strap-like, body-colored door handles remail workable even with thick-workman like gloves or conventional bulky winter mittens.
The full-sized Wagoneer also offer a ‘Grand’ version with even more upscale enjoyments (for a price of course). Engine choices depend upon which Wagoneer, Wagoneer L, Grand Wagoneer or Grand Wagoneer L gets selected.
Despite its size, the surprisingly smooth, quiet ride comes as an added value thanks in part to a near 50-50 front/weight split contributing to better balance while living up to the upscale designation.
Wagoneer, Wagoneer L, Grand Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer L break trim levels down into Base, Series II and top-of-the-charts Series III. The higher the Series, the more standard content. A Carbine Option Package is an exclusive with Series II and adds 20-inch gloss black wheels, panoramic tri-pane roof and adjustable roof rail crossbars. All trims offer a number of option packages and assortment of a-la-carte features to swell the bottom line. Lots to ponder when Wagoneer shopping.
Both two-wheel rear drive and four-wheel drive are available with Wagoneer, Wagoneer Series II and Series III. Extended-length Wagoneer L editions follow suit. All ‘Grand’ Wagoneers remain strictly 4WD in both regular and extended-length L editions.
If choosing a 4 x 4 Wagoneer, two distinct off-road design systems are available: hassle-free, Quadra-Trac I with full-time, 50-50 torque split four-wheel drive and single-speed transfer case or Quadra-Trac II with two-speed transfer case and variable front-rear torque split. The 4 x 4s come standard with five terrain settings selectable from a tab next to the tactile transmission dial.
When debuting in 2022, Wagoneer’s sole motive centered around a 5.7-liter V-8 engine producing 392 horses (and 404 lb.-ft. of torque). This choice benefitted from a 48-volt, ‘mild hybrid’ system acting as an engine boost, a self-charging design never in need of wall-socket assistance. Also on board, cylinder deactivation helping conserve fuel at highway cruising speeds by quieting half the cylinders. This powertrain returns in 2023 in base Wagoneer models (both 4 x 2 and 4 x 4 configurations).
All other returning Wagoneer trims in 2023 (Series II and Series III) enjoy an all-new standard inline six-cylinder engine in the form of a 3.0-liter twin turbo “Hurricane” with 420-horsepower and 468 lb.-ft. of torque (topping the Base V-8 engine). Both selections mate to a returning, smooth shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.
Keep in mind both engines accept regular, 87-octane fuel while recommending mid-grade 89 octane for optimal horsepower and torque. However, don’t expect huge jumps in fuel economy with the new inline six cylinder. The inline six 4x4 averages about one-gallon better city and three highway than the 4 x 4 V-8 counterpart. That said, both these engines offers better mileage than the ‘Supercharged’ V-8 Cadillac Escalade full-sized SUV. A large 30-gallon tank helps Wagoneer’s range easily top the 400-mile marker in city travel.
The super posh ‘Grand’ Wagoneer offers its own engine selection with a beefier 6.4-liter V-8 delivering 471 horses and 455 lb.-ft. of torque standard in base Grand Wagoneers, Grand Wagoneer Series II and Series III. A higher output version of the new 3.0-liter Hurricane inline twin turbo six is available in Grand Wagoneer, Series II and III with a ‘510’ designate reflecting its heart-thumping 510 horsepower.
The longer, heavier Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L break down their engine choices as follows: Wagoneer L Base, Series II and Series III trims all include the 3.0-liter inline six twin turbo Hurricane six with 420 horsepower while the Grand Wagoneer L, Series II and Series III trims opt for the upgraded version of the 3.0-liter inline six twin turbo Hurricane generating 510 horses. This engine powered both of our testers.
Wagoneer tows up to 10,000 pounds in two-wheel drive versions with the inline six Hurricane engine.
Our 4 x 4 Series II Wagoneer L checked in at $71,080 while ending at $85,010 when factoring in a sizeable $2,000 destination charge, four option packages and an extra ding for premium exterior gray clear coat paint. A $2,195 second-row entertainment group includes two 10.1-inch screens built into front seat backrests featuring Amazon Fire TV and a $3,495 Premium group with Tri-pane sunroof and large 22-inch aluminum wheels. A $4,295 Convenience Group adds second row heated seats, quadra-lift air suspension and parallel park assist while the $1,495 tow packages included chrome tow hoods, two-speed on demand transfer case and trailer brake control.
Also tested in the 2023 model year, a Grand Wagoneer L Series III 4 x 4 with the 3.0-liter, twin turbo 510-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine, one of the poshest of the bunch. Starting at $113,095, our Series III also featured a tow package ($1,370) and second row entertainment group with two sizeable 10.1-inch screens ($2,595). Premium River Rock exterior paint ($695), premium machined aluminum wheels ($1,595) and embossed metal interior accents ($1,695) brought the bottom line to $123,045 with the identical $2,000 destination charge. Wagoneer starts at $58,995 for a 4 x 2 standard-sized base edition.
After a couple weeks behind the wheel of the new twin turbo inline six Hurricane, it’s safe to report more than enough horsepower (510) is at hand (or foot) to transport growing families. When waiting for traffic lights to change from red to green, the engine quietly shuts down to conserve fuel. Lift off the foot brake and the powertrain springs back to life all in a relatively imperceivable fashion. Earlier attempts during the past decade by rivals delivered mixed results, but Wagoneer produces a seamless transfer.
Static side running boards in the Series II Wagoneer L assisted nicely entering any of the three available rows to handle the healthy 10 inches of ground clearance. The Series III Grand Wagoneer L boasts available retracting side running boards. A permanently molded inside A-pillar grab handle assists shotgun riders along with a ceiling handle if needed when entering. Second-row B Pillars also include molded handles and ceiling varieties
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Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer offer slightly different configurations within second-row seating. Wagoneer includes a three-person bench standard while optioning two Captain’s Chairs. Grand Wagoneer switches things around with two Captain's Chairs standard and the bench optional. Both include a standard third row with 60/40 split power folding seats.
Families searching for a third row capable of accommodating not just toddlers but growing teenagers, should give Wagoneer a gander as this Jeep promotes workable head and leg room in the way back row. Second-row seatbacks tilt forward before the entire unit effortlessly slides on guided tracks forward, opening up an aisleway to row three. When not in use, third-row seatbacks power down flat via cargo-area push buttons.
Between front buckets reside an eight-speed transmission of an electronic nature; a chrome, circular tactile dial summons gears when shifting between PRND. Each letter illuminates in red to highlight the selected gear.
Despite its huge physique and truck underpinnings, electronic assist power steering enables one-handed driving with the three-spoke steering wheel (although two hands remains the norm). We tested the standard-sized Wagoneer in 2022 and marveled at the smoothness. This larger L version delivers the goods just as well with superb handling and steering gusto. The brake pedal includes a nice glide feel with little grab tendencies.
Smoother-riding independent rear-suspension (in place of a truck-prominent leaf-spring variety) adds a subtler, less bouncy experience on road. The full-size Ram 1500 pickup, with which Wagoneer shares many rough-and-tumble underpinnings also scores this welcome value-added perk.
Drivers benefit from low tech yet highly effective concaved corners tucked in the upper outside corners of the large, square side view mirrors helping spotlight what’s hiding in the blind spots. Upper trims include a digital rear-view mirror allowing drivers a clear picture of what’s behind even if six backrow heads impede a clear shot. The digital camera lens positioned behind the third row sends a unimpeded perspective into the rearview mirror. A quick manual flip of the rectangular mirror’s lower rim tab sends the view back to a traditional reflective image, heads and all.
Popular Smartphone pairings of Car Play and Android Auto come standard (with wireless charging also included) as does the latest, fifth-generation of ‘U-Connect,’ Jeep’s quick-responsive interactive in-screen technology. The sizeable 10.1-inch in-dash Wagoneer L flat touch screen (12-inches in Grand Wagoneer L Editions) works effortlessly with secondary audio and pre-set controls mounted on the steering wheel’s back side, letting fingertips monitor listening comfort in their natural positioning; one of the industry’s best designs and found within many Stellantis products. Additionally, old-school volume and station-select twist knobs adorn the lower corners, a convenience not all rival systems retain.
Reimagining volume and preset controls to the back of the flat-bottomed steering wheel opens up the front face to monitoring the fully digital, deep, rectangular-framed instrument panel and its multiple designs at the steering wheel’s 9 o’clock face. The 3 o’clock side dedicates to cruise control.
Well-marked HVAC toggle tabs reside below the bright, sharp, well-iconed screen; push up to increase temperature or fan speeds, push down to decelerate. It’s not as desirable as twist dials, but much more convenient than hunting through a touch screen tutorial.
Buy any upscale Wagoneer and enjoy privileged perks including five complimentary oil changes and five tire rotations redeemable within the first five years at participating Jeep dealerships. Domestic luxury competitors include the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade Sport Utility Vehicles.
Price as tested: $85,010
Wheelbase: 130.0 inches
Length: 226.7 inches
Width: 83.6 inches
Height: 75.6 inches
Engine: 3.0-litre twin turbo I-6
Horsepower: 420
Curb weight: 6,326 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five-years/60,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 14 mpg/20 mpg
Assembly: Warren, Michigan