1 Fatal Flaw Prevents the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer From Being the Perfect Family Road-Trip Vehicle
In 2021, Jeep resurrected the Grand Wagoneer. Considering how hot the third-row SUV segment is right now, it’s good timing. The new 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is upscale, spacious, and loaded with great tech and driver assists. Industry experts are giving the new model great reviews, and there’s no denying it has a lot going for it. One review pointed out that it has one drawback that keeps it from being the perfect family road trip vehicle. What’s the flaw?
The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
A staff member from The Drive got to try out a new 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, traveling from Texas to Florida. The review, for the most part, was favorable.
We haven’t seen a Grand Wagoneer since 1993, and Jeep went beyond just bringing back a fan favorite. It’s bigger, stronger, and more luxurious than before. It appears the automaker is trying to keep Jeep branding off the SUV. This may be to spin it into a luxury segment. The suspension is so well-tuned that the ride is as comfortable as the interior hints at.
The Grand Wagoneer still reminds us of Jeep with its off-road capability and four-wheel-drive systems with active low range and a rear electronic limited-slip differential. The Grand Wagoneer can travel through up to 24 inches of water, and for $995, you can get the towing package with front tow hooks.
It comes equipped with air springs, letting you raise or lower the body-on-frame by as much as 3.6 inches. The power running boards make climbing in more accessible, as do the second-row seats that fold with the touch of a button. The second-row also gets its own infotainment screens that keep passengers of all ages entertained on long road trips.
The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer can tow more than the 1993 version. It’s designed to not only haul considerable loads but give everyone enough space in the cabin while keeping them comfortable and entertained. The driver’s seat is also power-adjustable to easily get into a position that works for them with good visibility.
The one flaw
The Grand Wagoneer has Active Driving Assist with Level 2 autonomous driving. It requires your eyes be on the road and hands on the wheel while the system guides you with adaptive cruise control. It also has a lane-centering function that can be obtrusive at times.
According to The Drive, the system can often work too well. It can take over more often than you expect, guiding you away from the lines aggressively. The test driver explained that it becomes a problem when you’re driving parallel to large trucks on the highway and you need to move quickly to ensure you have enough space.
All the specs
The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is powered by a 6.4-liter V8 engine paired with an automatic eight-speed transmission and four-wheel drive configuration. The powertrain puts out an impressive 471 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque and can tow 9,850 pounds when properly equipped.
You can seat seven to eight in the Grand Wagoneer with 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space. It gets what you expect on gas mileage with 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined.
At 83.6 inches, it’s a little wider than the Chevy Suburban. The Grand Wagoneer has a wheelbase a couple of inches longer than the Cadillac Escalade. It has a curb weight of 6,420 pounds.
To get one of these, you’ll pay six figures. Its price isn’t too different from the price you’d pay for either the Cadillac Escalade or the Lincoln Navigator. It starts at around $87,000 and can go up to over $110,000 for a Series III model like The Drive tested.