Overview
The Jeep faithful have been without a large SUV to fit their growing families since the ill-fated Commander went out of production at the end of the 2010 model year. Now the 2023 Wagoneer revives a name from the brand’s past along with the concept of a full-size off-roader. Built to serve the same purpose as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the Ford Expedition, and the Nissan Armada, the Wagoneer offers a roomy cabin, a tall driving position, and a 10,000-pound towing capacity. Add in one of the Wagoneer’s three all-wheel-drive systems, and the only limitation to the SUV’s off-road capability will be its massive size—we doubt it’ll fit on some trails. But the Wagoneer is more likely to spend its time on-road, where it offers a smooth ride and a well-isolated cabin that makes it an attractive road-trip vehicle with seating for up to eight. Luxury buyers may be more interested in the fancier Grand Wagoneer, which we review separately.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
What’s New for 2023?
In its second year on the market, the modern Wagoneer generation grows to include a long-wheelbase L model with 12 inches added to the SUV’s overall length and an additional 7.0 inches of wheelbase. This extended Wagoneer L offers even more passenger and cargo space than the already spacious Wagoneer models. A new twin-turbocharged inline-six cylinder engine replaces the thirsty V-8 engine under the hood and boasts 420 horsepower. A blacked-out Carbide appearance package is now available, too; it adds gloss-black wheels, black exterior trim detailing, and special interior trim and upholstery.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Series II Premium model is the one to get. It adds quite a bit to the bottom line, but for that increase in price buyers are treated to nicely styled 22-inch wheels, a secondary infotainment display for the front passenger, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, a panoramic sunroof, a self-parking feature, a 360-degree exterior camera, and a head-up display.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
All Wagoneer models come with a 420-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, but buyers seeking to unlock the Wagoneer’s off-road capabilities will want to add four-wheel drive to their order sheet; rear-wheel drive is standard otherwise. Speaking of four-wheel drive, there are three different systems to choose from, all with varying degrees of capability. Other available off-road features include an adjustable air suspension that can raise the Wagoneer to provide an additional 3.6 inches of ground clearance, and a drive-mode selector system which includes sand/mud, snow, and rock modes. Both rear- and four-wheel-drive variants of the Wagoneer will be rated to tow up to 10,000 pounds. On our first test drive, we noted that the Wagoneer’s somewhat top-heavy handling doesn’t inspire the driver to zip through curves, but its softly tuned suspension delivered a smooth ride when cruising on the highway. We haven’t tested the Wagoneer with its new inline-six, but when we do, we’ll update this story with details.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, the rear-wheel-drive Wagoneer is the most efficient, with ratings of 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. Going with all-wheel drive drops those estimates to 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. We haven’t had the chance to test the SUV on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, but we’ll update this story when we have results to share. For more information about the Wagoneer’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A spacious three-row cabin can be equipped with seating for up to eight in the Wagoneer, but opting for second-row captain’s chairs reduces seating to seven. The cabin design is rich and features plenty of standard luxury items, such as leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, ambient interior lighting, and three-zone automatic climate control. Buyers seeking the ultimate in luxury will want to pony up for the more expensive Grand Wagoneer, but we think most will find the offerings in the regular Wagoneer suitably upscale. Cargo space is generous, particularly with the third row folded, but we won’t know exactly how many carry-on suitcases it can hold until we can get a Wagoneer into our office for testing.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The interior of the Wagoneer is covered extensively by screens, with a 10.1-inch infotainment display taking center stage and a 10.3-inch digital gauge display offering readouts for the driver. Even the front-seat passenger can have their own display—an optional 10.3-inch unit—integrated into the dashboard that provides access to navigation and entertainment functions. The Uconnect 5 software interface allows users to access all sorts of features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, integrated navigation, Amazon FireTV and Alexa, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Buyers of the top-spec Series III models will enjoy a 19-speaker stereo system developed with high-end audio equipment specialist McIntosh.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Wagoneer comes standard with several desirable driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection. For more information about the Wagoneer’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Jeep currently offers a competitive albeit unremarkable limited and powertrain warranty. However, the company does give all models three years of free maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Jeep Wagoneer 4×4
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 8-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $73,845/$83,425
Options: convenience group (head-up display, heated second-row seats, auto park, auto highbeams, surround view camera), $3995;
premium group (crossbars, sunroof, cargo mat, cargo cover), $2995; rear-seat entertainment, $1995; Velvet Red Pearlcoat paint, $595
ENGINE
pushrod 16-valve V-8, iron block and aluminum heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 345 in3, 5654 cm3
Power: 392 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 404 lb-ft @ 3950 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.9-in vented disc/14.8-in disc
Tires: Goodyear Eagle Touring
285/45R-22 114H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 123.0 in
Length: 214.7 in
Width: 83.6 in
Height: 75.6 in
Passenger Volume: 179 ft3
Cargo Volume: 27 ft3
Curb Weight: 6244 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.1 sec @ 93 mph
100 mph: 17.7 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 117 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 197 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.69 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 13 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 17/15/20 mpg