2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Review: The Original Luxury SUV Returns
Jeep expands its brand into luxury territory with a ‘grand,’ new full-size SUV.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a full-size, luxury SUV that seats up to seven people in three rows of seats. It has a standard V8 engine, four-wheel drive, and all the leather, wood, and technology you could want.
What’s New for the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer?
New for 2022, the Grand Wagoneer is a luxury version of the Jeep Wagoneer full-size SUV. It comes with a robust 471-horsepower V8 engine, standard four-wheel drive (4WD), and can tow up to 9,850 pounds. However, maximum cargo capacity measures 94.2 cubic feet, substantially less than the Wagoneer (116.7 cu-ft) due to its large, fixed, second-row center console.
Christian Wardlaw
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Price and Configurations
Jeep sells four versions of the new 2022 Grand Wagoneer, and they range in price from about $90,000 to more than $105,000. Highlights of each trim level follow below.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series I – Every Grand Wagoneer is well equipped. The Series I sets the stage with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, a premium 19-speaker audio system, and 24-way, power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series II – A set of larger 22-inch wheels identifies the Series II, along with softer and higher-quality leather, a digital rearview camera mirror, and added safety equipment.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Obsidian – Predictably, the Grand Wagoneer Obsidian adds black 22-inch wheels, as well as black exterior and interior trim. It also features a 1,375-watt, 23-speaker, high-end audio system.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III – Builds on Series II equipment with unique wheels, quilted leather, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display for the front passenger, a night vision system, and a semi-autonomous highway driving system.
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2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Review and Test Drive
When you think about what a Jeep Grand Wagoneer looks like, you’re likely to picture in your head an angular, but handsome, old-school SUV with plenty of simulated wood paneling decorating its flanks. Sold from 1984 to 1991, the original Grand Wagoneer was a luxury version of the first Wagoneer model, which debuted in 1963.
Though it was based on a decades-old design, the first Grand Wagoneer was a unicorn during the years before the SUV boom kicked off in America. Aside from the Land Rover Range Rover, there simply wasn’t anything like it for the moneyed class to drive. But the Grand Wagoneer’s age ultimately doomed it to the dustbin of history, the nameplate making a momentary return only in the 1993 model year as a luxury version of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee. It even had fake wood on its sides. But it lasted just one year.
Now, Jeep is reviving the Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer nameplates for 2022. The Wagoneer is a premium model aimed at vehicles like the GMC Yukon Denali. The Grand Wagoneer is a luxury model, taking on the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Both Jeeps have traditional truck-based construction (the latest Ram 1500 platform), three rows of seats, plenty of cargo space, impressive towing capacity, and standard V8 engines paired with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4WD.
For this 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer review, I test-drove a Series III in Southern California. It came with extra-cost paint, the Heavy-Duty Trailer-Tow package, and the Rear Seat Entertainment Group, bringing the price to $110,430, including the $2,000 destination charge. Jeep provided the vehicle for this Grand Wagoneer review.
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2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Review: The Design
You’ll notice that the new Grand Wagoneer lacks “Jeep” badges. That’s because Jeep wants to emphasize the “Wagoneer” name on both the standard Wagoneer and the luxurious Grand Wagoneer.
However, traditional Jeep design cues are present and accounted for, including a seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. They combine with classic Grand Wagoneer styling elements, including a blunt-nosed front end, a thick upper chrome band atop the grille, horizontally oriented taillights, and even a two-spoke steering wheel. But if you’re looking for fake wood paneling for the sides of the SUV, you’ll need an aftermarket solution.
Climb aboard the Grand Wagoneer, and you’ll find impressive room for up to seven passengers. A second-row bench seat is available* to replace the standard captain’s chairs and center console, bringing the occupant count to eight.
The test vehicle’s Series III trim equipped the SUV with supple high-end leather: quilted, perforated, and piped for maximum luxury. The evaluation vehicle also had seven information screens, all but the digital instrumentation panel equipped with a touch-sensing surface for ease of use. Additionally, American walnut wood trim, aluminum accents, gloss-black surfaces, and leather-wrapped components decorated the interior, marrying traditional premium materials with the modern controls and displays.
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Comfort was king in our Grand Wagoneer Series III. The 24-way, power-adjustable front seats were large and soothing, yet supportive and featured heating, ventilation, and massage. The second-row captain’s chairs were equally comfortable, separated by a large storage console equipped with a rear climate system touchscreen display. These seats easily tip and slide forward to create a generous pass-through to the third-row seat, where adults can ride in genuine comfort for an extended time. Plus, third-row passengers enjoy their own separate glass roof panel and huge side windows, which together virtually eliminate any potential for claustrophobia.
The Grand Wagoneer’s upright rear window glass and vertical tailgate pay dividends concerning third-row seat room and cargo space. Official measurements from Jeep claim the Grand Wagoneer holds 27.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the third-row seat, 70.9 cu-ft behind the second-row seat, and a maximum of 94.2 cu-ft. Overall, these numbers are better than a Lincoln Navigator, but fall short of the Cadillac Escalade in two of the three categories.
Christian Wardlaw
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Review: The Technology
As much as it is about luxury, the new Grand Wagoneer is also about technology. In addition to the seven display screens, this Jeep features the latest infotainment platforms, driver-assist and collision avoidance systems, plus outward visibility enhancements. The list of technologies is too long to include a discussion of each, so we’ll stick to the highlights and unusual features.
Jeep is running its new Uconnect 5 infotainment platform in the Grand Wagoneer. Highlights include fast response to inputs, natural voice recognition capability, wireless smartphone integration, connected services including access to Wi-Fi, and a 12-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard.
You can upgrade a Grand Wagoneer with a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen display for the front passenger, as well as a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10.1-inch touchscreens. Each supports the ability to continue watching programming after moving from the couch in your living room to the Jeep. An available* McIntosh premium surround-sound audio system with 23 speakers completes the Grand Wagoneer’s transformation into a rolling theater for everyone except the driver.
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The tech is mostly intuitive. There are a few quirks to the user experience, and reflections on the screens and the gloss-black control surfaces can make them harder to use. Also, the voice recognition system is not entirely conversational or accurate in its responses. Still, overall, the infotainment package is impressive.
Next up are the myriad cameras aboard the new Grand Wagoneer. From the excellent Night Vision system, which can help you see in the dark from within the 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, to the camera that allows parents to monitor the occupants sitting in the rear seats, the Grand Wagoneer helps you see things you might otherwise not.
Similarly, this full-size Jeep offers a digital rearview mirror that gives the driver an unobstructed 180-degree view of what’s behind the SUV, even if you’ve packed it to the roof with cargo. In addition, a surround-view camera system can help maneuver the Grand Wagoneer, while an automated parking system takes control to assist getting the Jeep into a parking space. A head-up display is also standard, helping to reduce driver distraction.
Christian Wardlaw
The Grand Wagoneer includes the driver-assistance and collision avoidance systems you’ve come to expect on a modern luxury vehicle. Aside from the impressive night vision system with pedestrian and large animal detection, two highlights worth noting are Intersection Collision Assist and Active Drive Assist.
Intersection Collision Assist monitors traffic at intersections, and can automatically brake the Grand Wagoneer to help avoid a crash. Active Drive Assist pairs the SUV’s adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance to provide semi-autonomous highway driving. It requires the driver to hold the steering wheel, but Jeep says a hands-free version of the technology is coming soon.
Based on our testing, the upcoming hands-free system will require a better set of radar units and cameras, improved software, or both. As it stands, Active Drive Assist is too obvious about how it goes about its business, and the resulting automated driving character is unsettled and unsure instead of smooth and steady.
Christian Wardlaw
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Review: The Drive
Jeep equips the Grand Wagoneer with a standard 6.4-liter V8 engine that makes 471 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivers power to all four wheels through an automatic 4WD system. It is a robust powertrain that sounds great at idle and when accelerating, and Jeep says the Grand Wagoneer can tow an impressive 9,850 pounds of trailer.
Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says a Grand Wagoneer will return
Acceleration is robust, and the transmission works flawlessly. The Grand Wagoneer also has Jeep’s legendary off-roading capability baked in. The company’s Quadra-Drive II 4WD system supplies a low-range gear ratio and a rear electronic limited-slip differential, while the Selec-Terrain traction management system includes Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock settings in addition to Auto and Sport modes. Hill-ascent and -descent control systems are standard, and a height-adjustable air suspension provides generous maximum ground clearance.
Christian Wardlaw
Due to weather and dangerous conditions, I could not safely explore the Grand Wagoneer’s off-roading capabilities. However, given the Series III trim’s standard 22-inch wheels and 285/45 all-season tires, it was perhaps for the best.
On pavement, the test vehicle’s Quadra-Lift air suspension did a terrific job of reducing the impact harshness typical in heavy SUVs equipped with large wheels and low-profile tires. You certainly feel what’s happening at the road surface, but the communication is faint instead of sharp and jarring. The result is a smooth, gliding ride in Auto mode and a firmer ride in Sport mode.
The air suspension also works its magic on mountain roads. The large tires offer decent grip, while the suspension reduces excess body motion in curves and corners. Given the Grand Wagoneer’s size, the handling proved remarkably secure in the canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains.
The Grand Wagoneer’s size is somewhat of a liability in urban and suburban situations. However, the SUV’s squared-off corners, blind-spot monitoring system, parking sensors, and cameras help make it easier to maneuver this big Jeep.
Christian Wardlaw
Is the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer a Good SUV?
The new Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a worthy alternative to a Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. It is every bit as luxurious, refined, and technologically advanced as its primary rivals, while also offering more towing capacity and off-roading capability. The Jeep also has an exceptionally comfortable third-row seat and competitive cargo space.
However, the Grand Wagoneer looks an awful lot like the substantially more affordable Grand Cherokee L, a problem neither the Cadillac nor the Lincoln has. Plus, it’s a Jeep. That makes its starting price of about $90,000 (and the $20,000-higher as-tested price) potentially more difficult to accept by people seeking both exclusive design and brand cachet as a part of their luxury SUV ownership experience.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer Competitors for 2022
Jeep and its parent company Stellantis are getting into the lucrative large luxury SUV segment with the Grand Wagoneer. Traditional large luxury SUVs, including the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, are the Grand Wagoneer’s primary rivals. However, the big Jeep also competes with other three-row luxury SUVs such as the BMW X7, Infiniti QX80, Lexus LX, and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Grand Wagoneer Features
Highlights
Before there was a Cadillac Escalade or a Lincoln Navigator, there was a Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Known for its leather, luxury, and the wood trim lining its flanks, the first Grand Wagoneer gave early SUV buyers a vehicle as cushy and comfortable as it was utilitarian. Now, the reincarnated 2022 Grand Wagoneer seeks to capture the magic and allure of the original.
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Safety Features
- ParkSense – Standard automated parking system
- Drowsy Driver Detection – Available* feature that recognizes a tired or inattentive driver and recommends taking a break
- Intersection Collision Assist – Available* system monitors traffic at 4-way intersections and automatically applies the brakes if necessary
- Night Vision – Available* technology helps drivers to see after dark. Includes pedestrian and large animal detection
- Active Drive Assist – Available* system pairs adaptive cruise control and lane-centering to ease highway driving. In the future, Jeep will add a hands-free version of this technology to the Grand Wagoneer
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2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Technology
- Uconnect 5 – Standard, next-generation infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen display
- Passenger Interactive Display – Available* 10.25-inch infotainment display for use by the front passenger
- Rear Seat Entertainment – Available* system with dual 10.1-inch touchscreen displays
- Digital Rearview Mirror – Available* rearview mirror that uses a camera to show a wide view of what’s behind the Jeep
- Interior Rear Monitoring Camera – Available* rear seating area camera allows the driver to monitor passengers
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Specs
- 6.4-liter V8
- 471 horsepower
- Eight-speed automatic
- Four-wheel drive
- 15 mpg in combined driving
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2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Interior
- Massaging Front Seats – Standard, 24-way power front seats with massage
- Heated and Ventilated Seats – Standard in front, available* in the second row
- Four-Zone Automatic Climate Control – Standard temperature control for the driver, front passenger, and each second-row captain’s chair
- Panoramic Sunroof – Standard, triple-panel glass sunroof
- Ambient Lighting with Relaxation Mode – Available* feature pairs visual displays on all interior screens with music to calm and relax occupant
*Availability is subject to specific trim level selections
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Christian WardlawChris says his first word was "car." For as long as he can remember, he's been obsessed with them. The design. The engineering. The performance. And the purpose. He is a car enthusiast who loves to drive, but is most passionate about the cars, trucks, and SUVs that people actually buy. He began his career as the editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s, and for more than 30 years has created automotive content for CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, the New York Daily News, and others. Chris owns Speedy Daddy Media, has been contributing to Capital One Auto Navigator since 2019, and lives in California with his wife, kids, dog, and 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata.
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