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The new 2022 Jeep Wagoneer is here, an updated version of the original 1991 Jeep Wagoneer. Just how closely related are these two SUVs, though? The new Jeep Wagoneer has a sleek, almost luxury styling, while the old Jeep Wagoneer was an often wood-paneled family hauler. If you’re hoping to relive your childhood memories in the 1991 (and before) Jeep Wagoneer, you might be disappointed. Here are six key differences between the original Jeep Wagoneer and the new Jeep Wagoneer.

A white 1963 Jeep Wagoneer against a city.
1963 Jeep Wagoneer | Jeep

The original luxury version of the Jeep Wagoneer came after the first Wagoneer

The original Jeep Wagoneer debuted in 1963, followed by a Super Wagoneer in 1966. The Super Wagoneer lasted until 1969. That was the upscale version of the classic Jeep Wagoneer, according to MotorTrend. The Super Wagoneer was so impressive and loaded with high-end features that MotorTrend says it soon cost “nearly three times the average transaction price of an entry-level automobile.”

AMC bought Jeep and focused solely on the Wagoneer, yet in 1984 the first Grand Wagoneer made its appearance. As it is now, it was introduced as a luxury SUV model.

The new 2022 Jeep Wagoneer has more power than the 1991 version

It’s probably no surprise that the new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have more power than the classic Jeep Wagoneer. The 1963 Wagoneer had a 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine that made 140 hp. The 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had a 5.9-liter V8 engine that made 140 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. There was also a 4.2-liter straight six engine available.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, on the other hand, has a 6.4-liter V8 that puts out 471 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer has a less powerful engine, but that will only save you on fuel econmy. It has a 5.7-liter V-8 engine that makes 392 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque.

The updated Grand Wagoneer lacks wood paneling

The 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came standard with wood paneling. In fact, you’d have to pay to not get it. Yet there’s no wood paneling in sight for the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which leaves many fans of the classic Grand Wagoneer feeling as though something pretty serious is missing from the new model. You can, however, get some aftermarket paneling if you really miss the wood paneling of the original.

New Jeep Wagoneers are way safer than their predecessors

Here’s the safety equipment that came in the 1965 Jeep Wagoneer: seat belts, a padded dashboard, high-impact windshield, and a dual brake system. It’s not a lot, but the Wagoneer has come a long way in the decades that followed.

This is what comes in the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer is way more expensive than the 1963 Jeep Wagoneer

As you might expect, the new Wagoneer is a bit more pricey than the old Jeep SUV. The original 1963 Jeep Wagoneer price was just $3,332 and the 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer started at $19,841. The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer price, on the other hand, starts at $58,995, while the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a hefty $87,995.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer’s fuel economy is way better than the 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer’s fuel economy in the 1980s and 1990s was dismal. In fact, the 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer got just 11 mpg combined. That included 10 mpg in the city and 12 mpg on the highway. Even for the time, that fuel economy was especially poor.

Today’s Jeep Wagoneer gets about 17 mpg overall, with 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, on the other hand, gets 15 mpg overall, with 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. It’s not really great either, but it’s certainly better than the 1989 Grand Wagoneer.

The original Jeep Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer were popular for decades, and it’s no surprise that they were missed after their demise. The new 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer may be updated versions of these two classics, but they’re still a far cry from the classic Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.

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