This No. 1 Full-Size Luxury SUV Isn’t Made by a Luxury Brand
According to Edmunds, ever since the 2014 model year, SUVs have been the most popular type of family car in America. And, with SUVs making up so much of the automotive market, it is no surprise that luxury SUVs are taking the place of big Lincoln and Cadillac sedans as the peak of American luxury vehicles. With luxury car brands like Lexus, Infiniti, and Mercedes-Benz making up so much of the luxury automotive market, it’s surprising to see a mass market brand like Jeep leading in sales with its luxury SUV offering. Here is everything you need to know about the top full-size luxury SUV from a non-luxury brand, the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer.
Jeep leads the way with the Wagoneer
One of the biggest surprises of the 2022-2023 model year has been the Jeep Wagoneer. While the original Wagoneer retained its iconic look from 1962 until 1991, the new Wagoneer went in a bold direction with the nameplate, aiming for a more luxury-focused consumer base.
The Wagoneer leads Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) list of the best full-size luxury SUVs of 2022-2023 and does so at a much lower price point than the competition. In fact, it starts at just $60,995 MSRP.
What makes this even more impressive is that the Jeep Wagoneer is one of the only full-size luxury SUVs on KBB’s list that is not produced by a luxury brand. The Wagoneer boasts a class-leading luxury experience at a mass-market price point, making it a solid choice for any SUV buyer.
Less is more with the Wagoneer
When the Jeep Wagoneer was introduced, it was split into two models; the Jeep Wagoneer, and the higher-priced Jeep Grand Wagoneer. While it is easy to assume these are the same Jeep SUV with different badging to designate different trim levels, they are sold as two completely separate models. However, they do share many of the same parts.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the flagship luxury SUV in Jeep’s lineup. While the Wagoneer has an impressive list of standard features and options, the Grand Wagoneer takes the luxury experience to the next level with a higher quality leather interior, American walnut wood trim, and upgraded stereo system.
The Grand Wagoneer also ramps up the performance with a 6.4-liter 471 horsepower V8, a massive upgrade compared to the Wagoneer’s 5.7-liter 392 horsepower V8. This bigger engine propels this huge SUV even faster than the Wagoneer, with the Grand Wagoneer achieving a 0-60 time of 6 seconds.
While the Grand Wagoneer is impressive, the upgrades found over the Wagoneer become a problem when it comes to price. The Grand Wagoneer starts at $87,995 MSRP. While the options included with that price are impressive, consumers are typically not willing to pay a nearly $30,000 premium for a vehicle that is essentially a higher trim of a much cheaper SUV.
Which luxury Jeep SUV is the best for you?
Like any vehicle purchase, there is no “one size fits all” option. If you want a solid luxury SUV experience with the signature Jeep Wagoneer cosmetics, the Wagoneer may be perfect for you. If you are in the market for the absolute best SUV on the market and a low price is not a priority, you might want to turn your attention to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
