Jeep has revived the name of the legendary sports utility vehicle known as the Wagoneer for the 2022 model year, and this new version continues through 2023 with some changes and a new Carbide model.
You won’t see the “Jeep” name on this latest version of the Wagoneer. That’s because Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, decided to make the Wagoneer line its own luxury nameplate.
However, marketing materials refer to the Jeep Wagoneer as “the premium extension of the Jeep brand, continuing its legacy as the original premium SUV.” So, even without a brand name on the car, it’s still a jeep.
There are two seven- or eight-passenger versions of this new SUV for 2023: the Wagoneer, starting at $58,995 (plus $2,000 freight) for the entry-level model with rear-wheel drive, or $61,995 with all-wheel drive; and the Grand Wagoneer, starting at $88,640 for the base model, which only comes with the Series I with all-wheel drive.
The mid-level Wagoneer Series II model starts at $68,725 with rear-wheel drive or $71,080 with all-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line Wagoneer Series III starts at $71,865 for a rear-wheel drive model and $74,865 for an all-wheel drive model.
Moving on to more luxury, the Grand Wagoneer only comes with all-wheel drive. The Series II model starts at $95,735, while the Series III starts at $107,995.
New for 2023 is the Wagoneer Carbide model, which is a Series II level with the Carbide Appearance Package ($3,695) added to the base price. It’s available in two-wheel drive for $72,470 or four-wheel drive for $74,775, the version we tested for this report.
The Carbide package comes with a panoramic triple-glass sunroof, Piano Black exterior accents, black interior accents, adjustable roof rail crossbars and a reversible loadspace mat.
Our tester came with River Rock premium exterior paint ($645).
The Wagoneer has long been a staple of the Jeep lineup, originally introduced in 1962 as a full-size Jeep station wagon. It was the new name for the Willys Jeep station wagon, which was produced immediately after World War II.
It was essentially the first full-size SUV, or off-road vehicle, although this designation for vehicles of this type did not appear until the 1990s.
American Motors and then the former Chrysler Corp. continued to produce the Wagoneer in the Jeep line until 1994, when it became the top model of the then nearly new Jeep Grand Cherokee line in its final year.
But that name has since disappeared, until the current revival. This time around, instead of being on a unibody Grand Cherokee chassis, the Wagoneer is returning to its roots as a body-on-frame vehicle based on the Ram 1500 pickup truck.
Such high prices put the Wagoneer, and especially the Grand Wagoneer, in the stratosphere, occupied by luxury brand SUVs from manufacturers such as Cadillac (Escalade), Land Rover, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Audi and Infiniti. Parent company Stellantis (formerly Fiat-Chrysler) says the Wagoneer competes in the “large SUV segment” while the Grand Wagoneer falls into the “premium” SUV segment.
Due to its Ram 1500 roots, the Wagoneer comes with a 5.7-liter V-8 with 392 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque as the base engine.
But in 2023, Wagoneer Series II and Series III trims, including our Carbide model, will feature a new Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six petrol engine that Jeep says “sets the benchmark for power and efficiency in the large SUV segment.” “. 420 horsepower and 468 Nm of torque.
The new engine is not only more powerful, but up to 15% more efficient than larger engines, Jeep says, and can reach up to 24 mpg on the highway.
Both Wagoneer engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The six-cylinder engine uses state-of-the-art engineering and technology, including two high-flow, fast-response turbochargers for fast throttle response; Plasma-arc coating (spray hole) in cylinder bores for ultra-thin, low-friction wear surfaces; and high-pressure direct fuel injection (5,075 psi/350 bar), says the automaker.
Both Wagoneer engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
On the Wagoneer, the 5.7-liter V-8 comes with a 48-volt eTorque mild-hybrid system that uses a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor to give the car an extra 130 foot-pounds of torque at startup. .
There are three all-wheel drive systems available, and the Stellantis boasts best-in-class towing capabilities up to 10,000 pounds.
Wagoneer models come standard with seating for eight passengers, with two captain’s chairs up front and three-seat bench seats in the second and third rows.
While a medium bench seat is standard on the Wagoneer, it has the option of two second-row captain’s chairs, bringing capacity down to seven. Not included in our tester, the mid-captain’s seats are part of the second-row seat group ($1,195), which also includes heated seats and a 60/40 third-row bench seat with power folding and tilting.
Leather seats are standard on all Wagoneer models, but their type and quality are price dependent. Our car was fitted with Global Black Nappa leather seats.
The manufacturer says the Wagoneer’s premium features extend beyond leather upholstery and trim. They include the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, as well as an available digital rear-view mirror, an exclusive rear-seat camera, a head-up display, a frameless digital instrument cluster and a premium McIntosh audio system.
We had 22-inch wheels painted in gloss black as part of the Heavy Duty Trailer Towing Package ($1,495). It also included a 3.92 rear axle, Quadra Drive II badging, trailer brake control, hitch leveling assistance with camera zoom, detachable rear towbar, 285/45R22XL all season tires with black sidewalls, electronic limited slip rear differential, two variable speed transfer cases , Selec-Speed Control, black tow hooks and powerful engine cooling.
There is an automatic opening and closing of the trunk.
Convenience Group ($4,295) provided us with a rack load management system, second-row manual shades, a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, sleepy driver detection, parallel and perpendicular stop-and-go parking assistance, and intersection collision assistance. Traffic sign recognition, semi-active suspension damping, automatic high beams, heated second row seats and Quadra-Lift air suspension.
Our car had a long list of high-tech safety and protection features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection; Adaptive cruise control including Stop and Go; Active lane control; blind spot monitoring; Rear intersection detection; electric parking brake activated by switch.
Available “autonomous vehicle capabilities” include active driving assistance, ParkSense automatic parking system, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, crossroad collision assist, and drowsy driver detection.
The digital rearview mirror system includes a 9.2-inch wide LCD monitor that displays the image from the rear-facing camera at the rear of the vehicle. Unlike a conventional rear-view mirror, rear view is unobstructed. A regular mirror is also available with a toggle switch.
Our Quadra Drive II all-wheel drive system included a two-speed transfer case with electrical downshifts; Selec-Terrain system for choosing the type of road surface on which the car is located; and help when starting uphill.
Other additions included a rear passenger entertainment group ($1295) with 10.1-inch rear entertainment screens; front passenger interactive display ($1,395); power tailgate without speakerphone ($195); and All Weather Mat Group ($395).
.What can I say about the ride comfort? This is a four-wheel drive limousine, and no one in it can justifiably complain about the ride quality. It’s also very quiet inside at highway speeds.
The new 3.0-liter engine provided plenty of power, although we didn’t attempt to tow a trailer and never loaded the Wagoneer with people and/or cargo.
The total sticker price for our 2023 Wagoneer Carbide was $87,390, including $2,000 freight and $14,310 options.
G. Chambers Williams III car speakers have been featured regularly in Express News since 2000. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter @gchambers3. His driving partner Emma Jane Williams contributed to this report.
2022 Wagonier / Grand Wagonier
Package: Full-size, five-door, seven- or eight-seat SUV with V-8 engine, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive on a truck base.
Highlights: The newest generation of Wagoneer is resurrecting a name that hasn’t hit the market since 1994, but doing so in a big way with a line of premium and luxury SUVs now considered separate from their original Jeep brand.
Cons: Quite expensive at the top.
Engines: 5.7L Hemi V-8 petrol with eTorque hybrid drive (Wagoneer, 2 or 4 wheel drive); 3.0-liter inline-6 petrol engine (Wagoneer Series II, III, Carbide); 6.4L V-8 (Grand Wagoneer, 4WD only).
Transmissions: eight-speed automatic.
Power/Torque: 392 hp/404 lb-ft (5.7 liters); 420 hp/468 ft-lbs (3.0 liters); 471 hp/455 ft-lbs (6.4 liters).
Length: 214.7 inches.
Curb weight range: 5,960-6,420 lbs.
Cargo volume: 27.4 cubic feet (behind the third seat).
Trailer capacity: 10,000 lbs maximum with optional towing package.
Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, anti-lock braking system.
Electronic Stability Control: Standard.
Side airbags: side, front seats; side curtain, both rows.
Fuel capacity/type: 26.5 gal/unleaded regular.
EPA fuel economy: 18 mpg city/22 highway/16 combined (5.7 liters, 2WD); 17/24/20 (3.0L, 2WD); 16/23/19 (3.0L, 4WD); 20.17.15 (5.7, 4WD); 13/18/15 (6.4 l).
Main competitors: Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX 570, Lexus GX 460, Range Rover, Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX80.
Base price range: $58,995-$109,635 plus $2,000 shipping.
Test price: $87,390 including freight and options (2023 Wagoneer Carbide Series II 4WD).
Rating on the road: 8.7 (out of 10 possible).
The indicated prices are retail, recommended by the manufacturer; actual sale price may vary.
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