Don’t Dismiss Jeep’s Grand Wagoneer as a Rebodied Ram Truck
Jeep’s Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are full-size truck-based SUVs. This means that, like the Chevrolet Suburban and Lincoln Navigator, they share a chassis and powertrain with a half-ton pickup truck. But dismissing the Wagoneer as a re-bodied Ram does it a disservice: Jeep engineered an arsenal of new technologies for the Wagoneer, including drivetrain features offered on no Ram truck.
The Grand Wagoneer features engines not yet available in any Ram truck
For its 2022 launch, Jeep’s Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer offered two V8s. The regular Wagoneer came with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 available in the half-ton Ram 1500. The Grand Wagoneer, though its weight was similar, boasted the 6.4-liter (392 cubic inch) HEMI V8 from the heavy-duty Ram truck and Dodge’s “Scat Pack” muscle cars.
But Jeep did something special with these engines: The automaker outfitted the 6.4-liter HEMI with the eTorque mild-hybrid system Ram engineered for its half-ton trucks. This makes the Grand Wagoneer the only vehicle to offer a hybrid version of the 6.4-liter.
For the 2023 model year, Jeep expanded the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer’s engine offerings. It added the 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 that Stellantis developed for its full-size vehicles worldwide. The high output new “Hurricane” engine uses 26 psi of boost to make over 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque–with just 3.0-liters. The Wagoneer SUVs are the first Stellantis vehicles to offer this new engine.
Read more about the Wagoneer’s Hurricane I6.
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer feature independent rear suspension
The first reviewers of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are raving about its comfort, style, and its off-road capability. This full-size SUV isn’t going to tackle the Rubican trail anytime soon, but feels surprisingly composed while off-road–considering its size.
The Wagoneer SUVs have some Ram technology to thank for their off-road capability. They all ride on the rear coil springs Ram engineered for the fourth generation of its half-ton pickup truck and more recent Ram 2500 trucks. In addition, every Grand Wagoneer comes with the full-time 4WD Ram engineered for its TRX supertruck. Finally, the Grand Wagoneer boasts the air-ride suspension that is optional on Ram 1500 trucks.
Jeep also designed some all-new technology for the Wagoneer. In place of the Ram trucks live rear axle, the Grand Wagoneer rides on independent rear suspension. This allows it to glide over off-road obstacles. At the same time, the Wagoneer maintains the highest tow rating of any SUV.
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer may be a preview of future Ram trucks
It’s obvious that Stellantis is throwing its most advanced technology at the luxurious Grand Wagoneer. For this reason, the full-size Jeep SUV could be a preview of the next generation of Ram trucks. Future Ram trucks will probably offer the I6 Hurricane engine. What’s more, Ram may go to independent rear suspension for the sixth generation of its half-ton pickup. We already have reason to believe the upcoming electric Ram pickup will have independent rear suspension.
We are indeed seeing some of the Grand Wagoneer’s more advanced technology make their way into the 2023 Ram Truck. The new Ram 1500 Limited Elite Edition marries some of the Grand Wagoneer’s luxury features with a top-trim Ram truck.
Next, read about the unique relationship between the Jeep brand and the Wagoneer brand or watch the Wagoneer and Ram 1500 face off in a towing test in the video below:
