One of the big reasons for owning an expensive luxury vehicle is to make an impression, and not just a good impression but the kind of impression conveying wealth, stature and importance.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which was born out of the desire of executives at Fiat Chrysler — now Stellantis — to create an authentic luxury utility vehicle, which could profitably compete with the best vehicles from anywhere in the world.
Overview
The result is a big, powerful vehicle with all of the interior space needed to carry friends and/or family long distances in style and luxury with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the latest technology while maintaining Jeep’s long-standing commitment to travel over all sorts of surfaces even under the most difficult of circumstances.
The Grand Wagoneer’s mix of attributes might not be perfect or even up to date since its V-8 powertrain, while impressive, also seems dated. But the overall design is elegant with an impressive attention to detail. The Grand Wagoneer is mighty impressive and if you can afford the big price tag, surprisingly versatile — in a posh sort of way.
Exterior
One of the downsides of any utility vehicle is the exterior is bound to be a bit disappointing because the vehicle’s shape is locked in even before the stylists begin work. Nonetheless, the 2022 Grand Wagoneer is imposing, even if it seems a bit more precious than traditional Jeep products. Its silhouette and window openings recall the proportions of the Chevrolet Suburban. But then the Grand Wagoneer is designed to make a statement by pushing into territory where the Suburban and — more precisely — the Cadillac Escalade reside.
Details of the Grand Wagoneer’s exterior design from the badging to the clever modifications to Jeep’s historic seven-slotted grille and the shape of the light fixtures to the roof rails and door handles enhance the Grand Wagoneer’s impressive stance and sense of luxurious style. The vehicle’s 10 inches of ground clearance serves to reinforce the authenticity of the Wagoneer’s off-road capability even if the vehicle looks much too refined to get muddy.
Interior
Climbing behind the wheel or into one of the passenger seats of the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III, the level of comfort and luxury are very apparent. The quality of furnishings is first rate and laid out with the emphasis on a relaxed style characteristic of the unique sense of American style — quite distinct from the austerity of the European styles the seem to prevail across the auto industry today.
The Jeep stylists don’t shy away from using the use of bright accents and trim that set the Grand Wagoneer apart from the brand’s other vehicles. The integration of the multiple screens and the technology behind them is very nicely done. The entertainment and navigation system are very top of the line. Adults can sit comfortably in the Grand Wagoneer’s third row of seats and there is still room behind the third row for luggage and packages. The visibility from the driver’s seat is first rate.
Powertrain
The Grand Wagoneer is powered by 6.4-liter V-8 engine matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system optimized for use in off-road situations. The vehicle is equipped with five different driving modes including rock, sand and gravel, which I suspect most owners won’t use much.
It also comes with snow and sport along with an auto or normal mode for on-road driving. The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer has a combined fuel economy rating of 15 mpg from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency, including a mere 13 mpg rating in city driving and 18 mpg out on the highway.
Safety and Technology
As a vehicle carrying a six-figure price tag, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III is loaded. In addition to the plush interior, the Grand Wagoneer is equipped with multiple airbags to protect passengers from frontal and side-impact crashes. It is also equipped with AM/FM and HD Radio as well as the interface for satellite radio and on-board navigation, smart device integration and MP3 player and Bluetooth.
The other features included blind-spot detection and lane-keeping assistance, backup camera and parking assistance for both the front side and rear of the vehicle. There are also steering-wheel controls for cruise control and the entertainment system as well as a head up display with speed limit signage and heated mirrors for cold-weather climates.
Driving Impressions
While the 2022 Grand Wagoneer comes with all sorts of modern features, it weighs more than three tons. The 6.4-liter V-8 engine delivers ample power with alacrity and the vehicle is very quick once it gets rolling — however, it still needs a couple of beats to get up to speed on the freeway. The steering is responsive, but its size means it has a large turning radius, so it is not all that nimble.
The Grand Wagoneer also rides on old-school body-on-frame chassis widely used for pickup trucks. While Jeep engineers have optimized the suspension to smooth out the ride, you will still feel the bumps on a dirt road. However, the Grand Wagoneer is surprisingly quiet traveling across all kinds of road conditions and easily maintains a firm grip in all instances.
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III Specifications
| Dimension | L: 214.7 inches/W: 83.6 inches/H: 75.6 inches/Wheelbase: 123 inches |
| Weight | 6,420 pounds |
| Powertrain | 6.4-liter V-8 engine; 8-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive |
| Fuel Economy | 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway/15 mpg combined |
| Performance Specs | 471 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque |
| Price | Base price: $86,995; As tested: $106,835 including $2,000 destination charge. |
| On-Sale Date | Available now |
Wrap Up
The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer makes a big impression given its size and the aura of luxury, surrounding the vehicle. Given its six-figure price tag — more than $106,000 once the destination charge is added to the sticker price — it should easily impress the neighbors and relatives.
It is nicely furnished and very, well equipped and built to handle the most challenging roads even in adverse weather. But its size and cost put it out of range of most American families looking to make a road trip this summer.
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III — Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer have a Jeep badge?
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and the more opulent Grand Wagoneer are best described as being a premium extension of the Jeep brand. While you won’t find a Jeep badge on this Wagoneer, you can be assured that behind the seven-slot grille is the same soul as the Wagoneers that have gone before.
Does the Wagoneer have independent front suspension?
The original Wagoneer featured independent front suspension as standard on the rear-wheel drive models and was optional on the four-wheel drive, for either $135 or $160. The new model features a short- and long-arm independent suspension with hybrid steel composite upper control arm, aluminum lower control arm, aluminum knuckle, coil springs with monotube shocks or Quadra-lift air suspension with semi-active damping, solid or hollow stabilizer bar.
Is the Jeep Grand Wagoneer a pickup truck or SUV?
As with its domestic rivals, the Grand Wagoneer utilizes body-on-frame underpinnings, in this case, derived from the Ram 1500 pickup truck. However, the Jeep features an independent rear suspension rather than the truck’s solid rear axle, which should give the SUV a smoother ride and better handling.
