Jeep launches reinvented Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer (left) and Wagoneer are for sale in the USA later this year. Photos: Jeep
While the brand is famous for its off-road, rugged vehicles, Jeep is heading into the luxury SUV market with the launch of the all-new 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
The original Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer was launched in 1963 before production ceased in 1993. But last year, Jeep announced the two SUVs were being reintroduced to the marketplace with a concept vehicle revealed on September 3, 2020.
The two eight-seater will go on sale later this year, with the Wagoneer competing with other large SUVs while the Grand Wagoneer is targeting the luxury SUV segment.
The Grand Wagoneer is aimed at the luxury large SUV market in the USA.
Both vehicles measure 5453mm long, 2388mm wide and 1920mm high, and sit on a 3124mm wheelbase – putting them in contention with US-market rivals including the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator.
Jeep Gladiator’s designer, Taylor Langhals, is behind the look of the 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
“We are ready to start a new exciting adventure with a model that wrote some of the most iconic pages in the history of the American automobile,” said Christian Meunier, Jeep Brand Chief Executive Officer.
The Wagoneer is an eight seater with the same engine as the Ram 1500.
“Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are born from the Jeep brand, but they have a flair of their own, building on a rich heritage of craftsmanship and refinement, while offering new levels of sophistication, comfort and legendary 4x4 capability, as well as a new level of customer service.”
The 2022 Wagoneer features a 5.7-litre V-8 engine, shared with the Ram 1500 in the US, producing 292kW of power and 548Nm of torque. The Grand Wagoneer features 6.4-litre V8 (351kW/617Nm) petrol engine. Each engine mates to the robust TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission plus have Quadra-Trac II four-wheel-drive system.
The Grand Wagoneer comes as an seven seater, with captains seaters.
Wagoneer comes standard on 20-inch wheels, while an optional 22-inch painted and polished wheel is also available. Grand Wagoneer models come standard on 20- or 22-inch aluminum wheels featuring four different finishes and textures. A three-dimensional wheel cap highlighting the Wagoneer logo is suspended in acrylic.
While the original Grand Wagoneer famously featured an extensive use of wood on its exterior, the 2022 Grand Wagoneer features genuine handcrafted Satin American Walnut wood in abundance on the interior.
There is extensive use of wood in the two Jeeps, harking back to the original vehicle.
The 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer feature the latest, most advanced Uconnect system ever, with a 10.1- or 12-inch digital display and intuitive user experience.
A wide suite of active driving technologies are on offer, led by 'Active Driving Assist', which combines adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision warning to accelerate, brake and steer the vehicle on highways. However, it's likely to be exclusive to the Grand Wagoneer.
Unfortunately, there are no plans for the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer to be sold in New Zealand but Kiwis can buy the seven-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L, expected here in August or September this year.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer has a 6.4-litre V8 petrol engine.