Jeep is no stranger to introducing and modifying nameplates to critical acclaim. Gradually transitioning the Cherokee from full-size SUV to crossover, bringing in newer models like the Compass and Renegade, and adding a third row to the 2021 Grand Cherokee L are just a few examples.
But boy is this new model jaw-dropping. Jeep has resurrected the Grand Wagoneer for the 2022 model year, and it’s got plenty to satisfy even the richest of tastes. It’s laden with features, has one of the nicest interiors in the industry, and runs on an engine that will make competitors quake. And it manages to masterfully blend modernity with aspects from the legendary Wagoneers of the past.
If money was a vehicle coasting down the highway, it would be the Grand Wagoneer. It’s the kind of SUV that everyone notices. And you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll be seeing your fair share of them on the road come next year.
If you’re in the market for a luxury three-row beast, then there’s no other vehicle that measures up to the 2022 Grand Wagoneer. But even if you don’t want to dish out six figures on your next hauler, this vehicle is fascinating to see and learn about. Let us explain!
It’s a Truck and an SUV
Even though they carry different names, the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer are basically the same truck. The Grand Wagoneer just oozes a little more opulence in many aspects. From exterior bling to interior subtleties to groundbreaking technology, the Grand Wagoneer lives up to its name.
That said, both of these SUVs fall somewhere between the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Chevy Suburban in terms of dimensions. They carry a physical presence that cannot be ignored. You may have noticed that we’ve been referring to the Jeep Wagoneer models as a truck.
In many ways, the Grand Wagoneer is both a truck and SUV. It rides on the impressive DT body-on-frame platform that is found in the RAM 1500 family. In that sense, one could accurately call the 2022 Grand Wagoneer a truck. And let’s not forget the unconscionable 10,000-pound towing capacity (no matter the powertrain), which comfortably sits atop its class.
Now, let’s consider the SUV side of the Grand Wagoneer. Consider, for instance, the new Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L models, which are easily some of the most stylish vehicles in the mid-size SUV segment. The overall aesthetics of the Grand Cherokees (smooth edges, strong body lines, subtle ruggedness) are found on the 2022 Grand Wagoneer. But the sheer size of the Grand Wagoneer sets it apart from its smaller siblings.
Sure, you’re no stranger to seeing HD trucks and full-size SUVs on the road, but the body shape of the Grand Wagoneer gives the impression that it is towering over you, thanks to aggressively upright proportions and unique fender flares. Representatives for Jeep have suggested that the 2022 Grand Wagoneer conveys a “stately, architectural” design.
It Encapsulates Luxury
Along with its physical prowess, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer provides all the glitz and chrome even the ritziest of us could ask for. But amazingly, it does so without being obnoxious. Gaudiness is what fans of the Cadillac Escalade are looking for. The Grand Wagoneer doesn’t try to dip into that market share, instead opting to draw in stealth-wealth types who perhaps have fond memories of childhood road trips in the backseat of first-generation Wagoneers. This shines through in the subtle design elements found in the Grand Wagoneer’s exterior and interior.
That’s not to say that the Grand Wagoneer doesn’t take your breath away with some in-your-face qualities. Take, for example, the black-painted roof, chrome window surrounds, exterior LED lights, and fancy grille design. Then there is the two-piece aluminum “Grand Wagoneer” lettering and Copperchino accents, which come on the top-tier Series III variant. That last feature alone puts the Grand Wagoneer in a class of its own, seeing as how such few vehicles successfully pull off copper trim. And since the Grand Wagoneer is such an important piece of Jeep’s lineup, it says a lot about the brand’s confidence.
If the exterior of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is impressive, its interior will leave car enthusiasts speechless. To be frank, the interior space is the most upscale of any vehicle under the Chrysler brand in decades, factoring in the standards of previous eras. And interior differentiation is what most sets the Grand Wagoneer apart from the standard Wagoneer.
The 2022 Grand Wagoneer comes with quilted Palermo-grade leather upholstery that extends to the dash surrounds and door panels. The standard Wagoneer offers Napa leather upholstery. But let’s get to the feature that every Wagoneer fan from the last 60 years thinks of when they hear the term “Wagoneer.” All of the Grand Wagoneer’s wooden panels are real walnut, putting it in the league of Mercedes Benz, Bentley, and other heavy-hitting luxury brands. The ignition button is even surrounded by a wooden panel, and the button itself is unique as it integrates stitched leather trim and an angled design.
The dark wood of the interior is pleasantly balanced with genuine metal frames around parts of the dash. Furthermore, the center console boasts an oversized rotary shift knob that is adorned with an exotic gnarled wood pattern. All in all, the Grand Wagoneer’s pattern is rich and warm; it offers considerably more character than competitors like the Navigator and Escalade.
It’s Stuffed With Screens and Gizmos
Not too long ago, your typically luxury vehicle would primarily consist of upscale materials in the cabin. But times have changed, and that won’t cut it anymore. For a car to be truly luxurious, it must provide lots of technology, driver assistance systems, and screens. And the Grand Wagoneer delivers in that area. In fact, you get 45 inches of screens between the front displays and 30 more inches in the back. That’s right—the Grand Wagoneer has 75 total inches of screens throughout the cabin.
There is the available 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that sits atop the dash’s center, and there’s the 10.25-inch HVAC display on the lower part of the center stack. Additionally, the front passenger gets a 10.25-inch display for streaming, navigation, and exterior camera monitoring, while passengers in the rear can access climate control through their own 10.25-inch touchscreen. Finally, you can opt for mounted 10.1-inch infotainment screens on the back of each front seat.
Screens are not the only technology offered by the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. There are plenty of gizmos specifically designed to boost comfort and convenience —some of which are standard luxury fare and those that are quite unconventional. Luxury staples like a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated first- and second-row seats, massaging front seats, and adjustable pedals are present. Wireless charging, a head-up display, and a night vision camera view can be had as well.
The interior of the Grand Wagoneer starts to really set itself apart from the competition with the option of a keypad-operate safe or a refrigerator in the center console storage compartment. If you own a gun, the locking safe box might sound too good to be true (but apparently it’s not).
Then there is the sound system. Available on the Grand Wagoneer is an incredible 23-speaker McIntosh system that pushes 175 watts for an audio experience seldomly found in a vehicle. This system is the first OEM-supplied system that McIntosh has produced in almost two decades. It’s matched with satellite radio and Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto capabilities. Even visually, the McIntosh system impresses; the speakers have a sculptural design and attractively come out of the dashboard. And when the sound system is engaged, the togglable output meter on the center screen display illuminates in the brand’s signature blue.
It’s Got a Hemi
Sure, the 2022 Grand Wagoneer sounds amazing when you’re sitting in the cabin, but it’s not just because of the McIntosh system. There also happens to be a state-of-the-art 6.4-liter naturally aspirated Hemi V8 engine. Yes, it’s the same engine we’ve grown to love in Dodge SRT and Scat Pack models. The Hemi Hellfire produces 471 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. This engine is matched with Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
It doesn’t take an automotive expert to understand how much engine that is. But you have to consider the fact that the Grand Wagoneer weighs a whopping 6,400-pounds. In other words, it’s not something that’s going to beat out a top-of-the-line Challenger or Charger. It’s faster than its competitors with a 6.0-second zero-to-60.
The muscle-car aspect of the Grand Wagoneer is something to behold. But the most impressive thing about this SUV’s driving experience is the fact that it drives more like a mid-size crossover than it does a full-size SUV. And we have quick and accurate power steering, an adaptive air suspension, and complex chassis engineering to thank for that.
It Drives Like a Crossover
Take the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer down the twists and turns of a country road, and you might feel like you’re driving a Toyota Highlander or Acura MDX. It certainly feels more dynamic, secure, and comfortable than other full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban or Ford Expedition. Of course, it’s not a mid-size SUV, lest we forget its physical prowess. But the overall bulk of the Grand Wagoneer will scoot past the speed limit if you’re not careful, and the suspension system makes for an ultra-smooth ride.
These qualities also extend to tighter urban areas, where an easier and more comfortable drive is welcomed by city dwellers. No one is going to buy the Grand Wagoneer because of its handling capabilities, but that doesn’t mean it will go unnoticed!
Chances are if you are buying a Grand Wagoneer, its hauling capability is a big draw. Whether you are carrying around other people, household trash, water sports equipment, or anything else, you’re going to have the power and storage capacity necessary for the job. The third row is surprisingly spacious; average-sized adults can ride comfortably for long-distance trips.
Also in the third row, passengers get plenty of cupholders and USB charge ports. And there are a plethora of driver-assist technologies to help everyone feel safe on the road. Among many others, the Grand Wagoneer comes with collision warning and assist, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, active lane assist, intersection collision assist, and adaptive cruise control.
It’s Not Cheap
Here’s the catch: The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is expensive, no matter which trim level you go with. The base model starts at about $89,000 and includes four-wheel drive, plenty of styling cues, comfort and convenience features, and that Hemi Hellfire we talked about earlier. The Grand Wagoneer Series II includes 22-inch wheels, higher-quality seats, and a rearview mirror camera—all for $96,000.
If you want to cross over into the six figures, the Grand Wagoneer Obsidian will do the trick; along with many other bold themes, this model comes with black-trimmed wheels and a more understated fascia for $101,000. The most expensive Grand Wagoneer, the Series III, starts at about $106,000. This is the flagship trim, and it boasts a ridiculously long list of standard features, including a front-passenger infotainment display, a camera-based rear-seat monitor, and a night vision system, among many others.
Of course, you can even add to the top-of-the-line trim and exceed $111,000 if you feel the urge! As far as we know, we can expect the very first 2022 Grand Wagoneer models to arrive in dealerships by the end of 2021.
Conclusion
The legend is returning, and it’s doing it in a big way. The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is truly a sight to behold, whether you’re watching it glide effortlessly by on a winding road or sitting in the industry-leading cabin.
If you’re looking for a full-size luxury SUV, the Grand Wagoneer is like no other. Contact Mount Airy CDJRF to discuss inventory and release dates, and feel free to browse our wide selection of other models while you’re at it!
