2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer First Look Review: The Mother Of All SUVs

It’s the return of a legendary American nameplate. Sitting above the latest Grand Cherokee and the Wagoneer within Jeep’s lineup of SUVs, the three-row Grand Wagoneer offers even more luxury and space along with the unparalleled off-road capability expected of a Jeep. The Grand Wagoneer is the same size as the new Wagoneer which we review separately, but as the name ‘Grand’ dictates, this one offers a true premium experience in the full-size SUV segment.

It’s a corner of the market full of talent, and the Grand Wagoneer will need to fend off the likes of the new Cadillac Escalade and the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. A powerful V8 engine, assertive styling, and a thoroughly modern cabin with up to 75 inches of combined screen display area should prove a formidable combination.

Jeep hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel here. The Grand Wagoneer looks exactly as you’d expect from a Jeep – there’s just a lot more of it to take into account when navigating narrow city lanes. Like the new Escalade, it looks powerful and has plenty of presence. The traditional seven-slot grille remains, while the windows are intentionally large to improve visibility.

To set the Grand Wagoneer apart from the Wagoneer, it gets a unique hood, its own premium LED lighting, power-retractable side steps, and a two-tone black accent roof. Subtle details like the A-line that runs the full circumference of the SUV hark back to the original Wagoneer. Wheel sizes are either 20- or 22-inch items, while the upcoming Grand Wagoneer Obsidian will have blacked-out exterior elements. At 214.7 inches, the Grand Wagoneer is longer than the standard Escalade but shorter than the Escalade ESV.

The latest Cadillac Escalade’s interior blew us away, and Jeep has come up with a cabin that is at least on par with that SUV. This is a stunningly designed space with standard seating for seven and premium Nappa leather upholstery everywhere you look. Jeep has successfully merged old and new – the liberal application of handcrafted Satin American Walnut wood is a clear nod to the original Wagoneer’s extensive use of wood in its cabin, but the array of vibrant color screens dotted around the cabin can only be found in a modern SUV.

As standard, the Grand Wagoneer uses the Uconnect 5C NAV infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen display, complementing a 12.3-inch gauge cluster. That’s just the beginning, as there’s also a 10.25-inch front comfort display for the ventilation system, along with another 10.25-inch comfort display for second-row passengers. When fully equipped, up to 75 inches of display screens are on offer.

Impressively, even third-row occupants have 36.6 inches of legroom, and the standard second-row captain’s chairs can be replaced by a bench seat to increase seating capacity to eight. It’s a remarkably luxurious and high-tech cabin.

Like the new Escalade, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer makes use of a large-capacity V8 engine. Displacing 6.4 liters, it produces 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, Jeep says that it’ll accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds. However, Jeep points to the power plant’s ample low-down torque as one of its most main strengths. Impressively, it allows for a towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, which is more than both the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.

The Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system is standard on the Grand Wagoneer and includes a rear electronic limited-slip differential. Along with Selec-Terrain’s multiple modes – Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Sand/Mud – the Grand Wagoneer makes off-roading more convenient than ever.

The Quadra-Lift air suspension system is standard, providing up to 10 inches of ground clearance when necessary but also providing a smoother ride. Maximum approach/ramp breakover/departure angles work out to 25/22/24 degrees respectively.

The new Jeep Grand Wagoneer begins at an MSRP of $86,995 for the Series I. That’s over $10,000 more than the base Cadillac Escalade, which starts at $76,195. The Lincoln Navigator also starts out more affordably at $76,185.

Following the “entry-level” Grand Wagoneer is the Series II at $93,995 and the Obsidian – which will only be available in summer 2021 – at $98,995. The priciest model is the Series III at $103,995. These prices all exclude a destination charge of $2,000. At launch, Jeep will be offering five unique configurations for the Grand Wagoneer, beginning with the Series I at $88,190 and going up to $107,980 for the Series III Premium.

While the price is undoubtedly high, the base Wagoneer that we review separately starts at a much more palatable $57,995. The Grand Wagoneer was conceived as the most luxurious flagship SUV Jeep could build, and that’s what it is.