2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer: 6 Things We Like and 3 We Don’t

With the launch of the original Wagoneer back in the 1960s, Jeep was one of the first manufacturers to introduce the world to the concept of a full-size SUV for family use. As the Wagoneer evolved over the years, it steadily moved upmarket, becoming one of the first luxury SUVs and a favorite of the country club set. That kind of history makes it seem odd that Jeep bowed out of the large luxury SUV market just as things were heating up a few decades ago, when automakers from all over the world got into the game.

Related: Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer Review: Big, Bold, and Ready for a Challenge

As the rebooted 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer roll into showrooms, Jeep has re-entered the market in a big way. Both SUVs are large, comfortable and spacious, with class-leading towing capability and loaded up with tech. The Wagoneer goes head-to-head with competitors such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition, while the Grand Wagoneer rivals models from Cadillac, Lincoln and even Range Rover.

But as good as they are, they’re not without fault. For Cars.com’s complete evaluation of the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, click the link above to read Aaron Bragman’s complete review. For a quick look at what ’s good and what isn’t, read on for six things we like about the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, plus three we think could use some work.

Things We Like

1. Interior Quality

Products from Jeep and stablemates Dodge and Ram have made great strides in interior quality over the years, but the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer take that to a whole new level. Base Wagoneer models have plenty of visual appeal, soft-touch surfaces and upscale materials to be competitive, while the Grand Wagoneer treats occupants to world-class levels of soft leather and real wood and metal trim, as well as loads of technology — including some industry firsts.

2. Room to Spare

The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are both available with seating for seven or eight, and both offer class-leading room in the second and third rows. Thanks in part to its independent rear suspension and low floor, the third row is big enough for full size humans and getting back there is easy. The low step-in height and a second row that folds and slides forward make for easier access. Front passengers don’t get shorted, either, with plenty of room all around.

3. Visibility

We’re happy to see Jeep bucking a trend toward smaller windows and reduced visibility with these new models, especially in vehicles this big. The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have lots of glass, helped by a tall, upright profile and low beltline. The design not only makes it easier to see out, it also makes for an open and airy feel in the cabin, especially if you opt for the big, multipanel moonroof.

4. Uconnect 5 …

The Uconnect multimedia system has long been one of the best in the business thanks to its intuitive menus, clear graphics and overall ease of use. These vehicles get the latest incarnation, Uconnect 5, and we think it’s the best yet. While retaining the overall goodness of previous versions, Uconnect 5 adds more features and customization options. It may take a little longer to master, but the added capability will help keep the system ahead of the pack.

5. … And More Tech

The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer offer tech features we haven’t even seen before, starting with a 10.25-inch screen that’s visible only to the front passenger. Capable of displaying things such as navigation, Amazon Fire TV, a camera to keep an eye on the family in back and the option to control what they’re watching back there on their own screens, the system brings new meaning to co-piloting an SUV.

6. Handling and Performance

The Wagoneer’s 392-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 provides more than adequate acceleration along with a pleasant exhaust burble. It gets an additional boost from a mild-hybrid system that can generate as much as 130 pounds-feet of torque from a standstill for quicker acceleration. Stepping up to the Grand Wagoneer gets you a monster 471-hp, 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 that does just fine without an electric boost. With either powertrain, the big Jeeps handle remarkably well for their size, with responsive steering and excellent body control that make them feel smaller than they are.

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Things We Don’t Like

1. Not All Is Great Inside

Interior quality of the Wagoneer, and especially the Grand Wagoneer, is so good and its execution so luxurious and well thought out that even minor flaws seem to stand out: The articulating center console storage bin door feels flimsy, like an obvious bit of cost-cutting in an otherwise class-leading interior. There are some cheaper-looking plastics down low where they’re less noticeable, and we’re not fans of the console panel housing the optional air suspension and Selec-Terrain mode controls; the location makes them hard to see and use.

2. Funky Cylinder Deactivation System

Cutting out four cylinders when they’re not needed can boost fuel economy, something that’s always helpful in a vehicle this large. But the system with either engine does something funky to the general ambiance when four cylinders check out, causing an unpleasant resonance in the cabin. We’ve noticed this in other Dodge and Jeep models equipped with a Hemi V-8, but it seems particularly unpleasant in the Grand Wagoneer.

3. Full-Size Pricing

Prices start at a not insubstantial $60,000 for a base Wagoneer with two-wheel drive. Granted, it’s a very nice base model — but that’s a lot more than competitors including the Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon, both of which start in the low $50,000 range. The minimum cost of admission for a Grand Wagoneer is $88,895, and prices can climb to $113,000 for a top spec Series lll. That, friends, makes it the most expensive Jeep ever made. Even the base Grand Wagoneer Series l starts out about $8,000 higher than a Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade.

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