Used 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the first American full-size luxury SUV. It dates back to 1984, when it was borne out of the standard Wagoneer that had been a part of the Jeep lineup since 1963.

Now a new Grand Wagoneer makes its return. This new 2022 Grand Wagoneer, which arrives this fall and is built upon a rugged ladder frame with independent rear suspension, will compete for buyers in the premium large American SUV segment. This is a market that includes the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon Denali, and the Lincoln Navigator.

The new Grand Wagoneer looks well prepared for this battle. A 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower powers it. It has the Quadra-Drive II 4WD system and the Quadra-Lift air suspension. It’s fitted with the most luxurious 3-row interior we’ve seen in an FCA (or Stellantis) product.

For a bit of clarity, please understand that the Grand Wagoneer is not the new Wagoneer. The new Wagoneer is the same size as the Grand Wagoneer and based on the same chassis, but is more of a mainstream model powered by a 5.7-liter Hemi V8. It is covered separately on KBB.

Nor should the new Grand Wagoneer be confused with the new Grand Cherokee L. While that latest Grand Cherokee has been lengthened, it’s still 10 inches shorter than a Grand Wagoneer, and its 3rd-row seat is nowhere near as roomy.

Given its rugged body-on-frame construction and its powerful 6.4-liter V8, the new Grand Wagoneer is an opulent family hauler that can work — its max tow capacity is an impressive 10,000 pounds.

KBB test-drove a 2022 Grand Wagoneer, a loaded Series III model equipped with a 23-speaker McIntosh audio system, head-up display, Night Vision, plus options such as a rear-seat entertainment system, and a heavy-duty towing package. As a result, this luxurious workhorse carried a substantial price of $110,575, plus a hefty $2,000 destination fee.

We were impressed by the new Grand Wagoneer. The roomy 3-row cabin doesn’t seem as high off the ground as, say, a Cadillac Escalade’s or a GMC Yukon Denali’s, so it’s easier to get in the vehicle. Although power-deployed side steps are standard on the Grand Wagoneer, tall drivers might find that it’s actually easier to step over them when entering this big and luxurious new SUV.

Once inside, you’ll find an in-control driving position and a great outward view. This welcome trait is enhanced by large side mirrors and a standard digital rearview mirror, keeping rear headrests and tall passengers from obstructing the view out the back glass.

The 6.4-liter V8 is also impressive. Quiet and smooth, this proven big V8 feels totally relaxed in everything but wide-open-throttle situations, which are rarely, if ever, needed. At 70 mph on the highway, the big iron-block V8 lopes along below 2,000 rpm, the transmission in its top (8th) gear.

The automatic fuel-saving cylinder deactivation goes unnoticed, and the Hemi’s peak output of 471 horsepower — complemented by a healthy 455 lb-ft of torque — reaches all four wheels via a silky-smooth 8-speed automatic transmission with a rotary controller on the center console.

On some downhill grades, we felt for shift paddles behind the Grand Wagoneer’s steering wheel, hoping to call for a downshift that would make life easier on the brakes, which have a firm pedal and good initial bite. But there are no shift paddles to be found. Rather, the Grand Wagoneer has a pair of + and – buttons on the steering wheel (below the cruise control) to actuate upshifts or downshifts.

We drove the new 2022 Grand Wagoneer  most often in its Auto and Sport modes. In both, the standard air suspension delivers a plush and comfortable ride, which thankfully doesn’t result in sloppy body motions on curving mountain roads. On the contrary, the big-3-row Grand Wagoneer belies its large size. And even with its 22-inch-alloy wheels, the large pavement seams we crossed while heading back into Manhattan jolted the cabin far less than expected.

The electrically assisted steering has a natural feel, although some might find the effort a bit high at highway speeds. The center console has a handy large cooler, and the switches for the massaging 20-way front seats are positioned on the door panels, Mercedes style.

If you’re 6-foot-4, you’ll fit in all three rows of seats, even with each row adjusted for a tall person. But the rearmost bench is a bit tight for the middle occupant. Our Grand Wagoneer tester has power tilt-and-slide 2nd-row captain’s chairs, plus a power-recline (and fold) 3rd-row bench that splits 60/40. Behind the 3rd row, there’s easily enough cargo room for a load of groceries.

The Grand Wagoneer seats, covered in exquisite quilted Palermo leather, are all-day comfortable, and there’s enough personal configurability in the new Grand Wagoneer’s instrumentation and infotainment system to keep you busy for several hours, maybe even days.

All told, the new Grand Wagoneer works like a rugged SUV and is built like a tough truck, but it’s as opulent inside as a European luxury sedan. Its driving manners are excellent, every bit as refined as those of the Cadillac Escalade. We did not use the new Front Passenger Interactive Display, but we do know the screen, which passengers can use to watch YouTube videos and the like. It is configured so the driver can’t see it. A good thing, we say.

Jeep uses the Grand Wagoneer’s fabulous interior to establish its luxury credentials. Stitched Nappa leather seating, aluminum, wood, and even onyx glass accents (all touted as being sustainable because of their recyclability) add to the highly crafted look of the large cabin. Jeep says the 2-spoke steering wheel pays homage to the original.

Although a standard Wagoneer comes standard with seating for up to eight passengers in a 2-3-3 configuration, the 2022 Grand Wagoneer comes with center-row captain’s chairs, which means it seats seven in a 2-2-3 arrangement.

All Grand Wagoneers have 20-way power front seats with massage, memory, and 4-way powered headrests. Grand Wagoneer Series II and Series II models get attractive Palermo leather on the seats, dash, instrument panel, and door panels. Options include a heated steering wheel, a memory steering column, and adjustable pedals.

Technology is at the forefront. The Grand Wagoneer has more than 45 square inches of display screens in its cabin. This includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a center 12.1-inch horizontal infotainment display in the center of the dash, and a 10.25-inch screen below that controls the air conditioning and seat heat.

On the passenger side of the Grand Wagoneer Series III dash, there’s also a standard 10.25-inch screen directly in front of the seat. This touchscreen — the content of which can’t be seen by the driver because of a special directional filter — allows the front passenger to watch a movie, control the music, or even use the 360-degree overhead camera to see the perimeter view around the Grand Wagoneer.

The 2022 Grand Wagoneer even has a locking touchpad-controlled safe underneath its split front armrest. This is in addition to the standard storage bin (or available cooled version).

The most recognizable feature of the new Grand Wagoneer is its traditional Jeep 7-slot grille flanked by thin LED headlights. The grille itself, surrounded by what Jeep calls “liquid chrome,” leans forward like that of the original Wagoneer, and it incorporates a prominent Grand Wagoneer badge on its upper surface (the standard Wagoneer has its front badge on the hood above). If you look closely, you can see that the blocky, raised letters have a slight copper tint.

Large side glass, tinted and U-shaped, has been incorporated into the design to give a great view out the Grand Wagoneer, and there’s also an attractive beltline running all the way around the vehicle. Twenty-inch wheels are standard; 22s are optional.

Although the new Grand Wagoneer is arguably handsome, it doesn’t break any new ground in full-size SUV styling. And while the original was either revered or reviled for its faux wood exterior, the new model does not take that route.

GRAND WAGONEER INTERIOR
The new Grand Wagoneer’s cabin exudes luxury, with more beautifully integrated leather, wood, and metal trim than you’d ever expect. And it’s roomy in all three rows. With Uconnect 5 infotainment, up to 11 USB ports, and five available touchscreens, the Grand Wagoneer also offers outstanding connectivity, aided by standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, onboard WiFi (for up to 8 devices), a smartphone charging pad, and Bluetooth for two phones.

OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY
The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer comes standard with rugged body-on-frame construction and independent rear suspension, and Quadra-Drive II — a 2-range 4WD system with an electronic limited-slip differential and hill descent control. It also has standard Quadra-Lift air suspension, which has five ride height modes, including one that provides an extra 3.6 inches of lift for better off-roading.

The new Grand Wagoneer is loaded with standard equipment.

The Grand Wagoneer is powered by the 6.4-liter V8, and all are 4WD models with air suspension and an electronic limited-slip rear differential. It comes standard as a 7-seat model with center-row captain’s chairs and a luxurious interior that’s awash in finely crafted leather, wood, and metal trim.

Standard equipment also includes a black-accented roof, a dual exhaust, a 26.5-gallon fuel tank, power-folding mirrors, 20-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a prominent 12.0-inch Uconnect 5 screen, plus a 19-speaker McIntosh sound system.

Quad-zone climate control is also standard in the Grand Wagoneer, along with adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, a power liftgate, LED headlights, a tri-panel panoramic sunroof, and an automated parking program.

Options for the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer include a body-colored roof, 22-inch alloy wheels, and a 2nd-row bench seat in place of the captain’s chairs. The Front Passenger Interactive Display is also available ($1,195 for Series I and II), the active touchscreen directly ahead of the front passenger. This screen is optional in the Series II and Obsidian Grand Wagoneer, standard in the Series III flagship.

Most other Grand Wagoneer options are available in packages. For example, the Convenience Group III ($3,995 for Series I, $3,595 for Series II), includes a Night Vision camera, a digital rearview mirror, a rear-seat monitoring camera, Active Driving Assist, and a semi-autonomous driving feature. Other packages include a Rear Seat Video Group ($1,995 for all models), and a heavy-duty trailer towing package ($1,295 for Series I, $995 for Series II and III).

One engine is in the 2022 Grand Wagoneer: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 that benefits from a new air induction system to produce 471 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 455 lb-ft of torque at 5,500. That’s stout. And the iron-block powerplant sends power to all four wheels via a proven 8-speed automatic transmission.

All Grand Wagoneers come with Quadra-Drive II, a 2-range 4WD system that detects wheel slippage rapidly and quickly sends power to the wheel (or wheels) with the best traction. Quadra-Drive II also includes a standard electronic limited-slip differential.

The standard Selec-Terrain system has Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock modes.

Although Jeep tells us the Grand Wagoneer is available exclusively with 4WD, the EPA fuel economy website (fueleconomy.gov) includes a listing for a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model. We’ve included the 2WD figures below because we expect one is coming in the not too distant future, as well as an even bigger Grand Wagoneer with a 7-inch-longer wheelbase.

6.4-liter V8
471 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
455 lb-ft of torque @ 5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/19 mpg (RWD), 13/18 mpg (4WD)