The Grand Jeep Wagoneer Is Hardly a Jeep
The shock from the Jeep Grand Wagoneer concept hasn’t worn off yet. A massive luxury SUV is far from the Jeep SUVs were used to, even if the classic Jeep Grand Wagoneer was a luxury option. It just seems pretty far away from the ideal wagon fans wanted.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer lacks Jeep-like qualities
Instead of being Jeep based, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer rides on the Ram 1500 body-on-frame truck platform. Meanwhile, the midsize Jeep Gladiator uses the JL Wrangler platform. It’s the combination of a Wrangler and a truck, but the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a truck-based SUV.
Also, the style of the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer doesn’t pay its respects to the Jeep brand. None of the badging says ‘Jeep’ whiles Grand Wagoneer is found on the front, back, sills, seats, and in the aluminum on the lacewood trim near the glovebox.
The seven-slot grille is on the front, and it’s illuminated. But it’s still missing the word ‘Jeep.’ It looks a little smushed and has a new chrome look. The grille is slightly like the design found on the Jeep Cherokee, only smaller.
Is the 2022 Grand Wagoneer meant to be a Jeep?
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer borrows a majority of aspects from other brands too. For example, the front end looks like the build of the Lincoln Navigator while the rear carries the proportions of the Chevy Tahoe. The lower rear bumper and single strip LED taillight is similar to the Dodge Durango.
According to TheCarConnection, Scott Talon, Director of Jeep Brand FCA North America, shared that the Grand Wagoneer is supposed to be front and center, not necessarily from the Jeep Brand.
Jeep has seen premium customers leave for more premium vehicles with three-rows. The 2022 Grand Wagoneer is different on purpose to compete with luxury rivals such as the GMC Yukon Denali, Lincoln Navigator, and Cadillac Escalade.
Making adjustments to the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s upper trim levels didn’t seem to cut it for families. The Wagoneer is envisioned to become a family portfolio of premium vehicles. Wagoneer could become the title of a brand-new line of luxury SUVs that are missing from the Fiat Chrysler Auto lineup.
What else do we know about the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer?
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer finally added some wood. After making its debut, fans were upset with the lack of exterior wood paneling. Now Jeep has added a few wooden accents around the headlights bezels and tweak covers on the roof rail mounts. It seems like Jeep added the bare minimum, but it’s there!
This isn’t a secret, but the Grand Wagoneer is huge! The official specs haven’t been released, but the guys at CarConnection got to take a seat inside. They said that while sitting in the third row, they had tons of head and legroom.
While GM SUVs grew about a foot to accommodate third-row passenger comfort, the Grand Wagoneer is already large enough with plenty of space for eight full-sized passengers and plenty of cargo room.
Also, the Grand Wagoneer has a ton of screens. It actually has 7 total, including two 10.1 inch touch screens mounted in the back of the front seats. The driver and front passenger get their screens along with a 12.1-inch infotainment screen too.
