by Baron Wilton
posted on March 25, 2022
The nostalgic icon is back for its throne
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer has returned to the streets for the first time in almost 40 years and aims to be the premier full-size SUV on the road. Leveraging its nostalgic nameplate and the ruggedness of the Jeep brand, the sophisticated tourer marries refined capability with sumptuous elegance. No place embraces this liberating essence quite like sunny SoCal, where you can find our March car of the month and the latest of Drive Awhile’s blacked out fleet, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
| ENGINE | HORSEPOWER | 0 to 60 MPH | TOP SPEED | MILEAGE | DAILY PRICE* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4L V8 | 471 hp | 5.4 sec | 118 mph | 15 mi | $230 |
| ENGINE | HP | 0 to 60 MPH | TOP SPEED | MPG | DAILY PRICE* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4L V8 | 5.4 hp | 2.9 sec | 118 mph | 15 mpg | $230 |
The Wagoneer was first introduced in 1962 as the very first luxury 4×4 vehicle. It quickly rose to popularity and embodied the best of what Americans looked for in a car — powerful, spacious, and comfortable without compromising on any attribute. The Wagoneer also continued the legacy of the “woodie,” as it featured distinctive wood paneling across both sides of the car. Jeep re-launched both the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer for the 2022 model year, honoring Jeep’s timeless nameplate by similarly pioneering a newfound attention for massive, luxurious SUVs.
Both of these new models are attractive choices for upscale commuting, but the Grand Wagoneer positions itself as the pinnacle of American automotive manufacturing through serene on-road manners and a memorable interior oasis. Starting with design, the Grand Wagoneer is built using the latest Ram 1500 chassis, resulting in the same dimensions and truck-like driving performance. Looking closer, the Grand Wagoneer adds a unique grille pattern, chrome accents around the windows, a contrasting black roof, copper tinted windows, and presents a captivating dance of LED lighting to welcome you when unlocking.
Inside the cabin, you will find an impressive assortment of high-quality features that drive the Jeep brand forward as a true embodiment of American excellence, both in off-road domination and now in superior luxury. The Grand Wagoneer nods to the “woodies” of old with American walnut paneling, but also presents modern automotive firsts including a McIntosh stereo with 23 speakers producing studio-level clarity, an articulating front display that flips between seat controls and a wireless charging pad, and a touch pad activated safe. The Grand Wagoneer even offers a rich Blue Agave interior trim and color-matching mood lighting for a truly unique interior ambience.
If those features sound more like essentials rather than excess, you will seriously enjoy Drive Awhile’s Grand Wagoneer Series III, as it is the most premium trim available. The Series III introduces Palermo leather-trimmed seats with massage functionality, a front console cooler, and night vision with pedestrian and animal detection.
Under the hood, both Wagoneer models come standard with a V8 engine. The Wagoneer is propelled by a 5.7L V8 engine with a 48-volt hybrid system, producing 392 horsepower, 404 lb-ft of torque, and reaches 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The Grand Wagoneer achieves its 0-60 in a swift 5.4 seconds with Hemi-powered 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Both engines generate a sonorous soundtrack and boast serious towing potential, up to 9,850 lbs in this biggest Jeep. It ups the ante with its Quadra-lift suspension, enabling the driver to adjust ride height up to 10 inches and providing a buttery-smooth journey.
Safety was also top of mind when designing the new Grand Wagoneer. Its Active Driving Assist package offers semi-autonomous driving capabilities, including lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and intersection collision avoidance. The SUV can also park itself. The vehicle first finds the nearest parking spot and then, while the driver lightly engages the gas, will automatically steer the car into the space. Although the Grand Wagoneer might typically run as a private chauffeuring vehicle, it also offers a rear seat monitoring system perfect for keeping track of the little ones on family road trips.
In today’s highly competitive SUV market, it is increasingly difficult to stand out. The Grand Wagoneer takes on uncharted roads for Jeep as a powerful behemoth that hopes to outperform other full-sized American SUVs that have gained popularity during the Wagoneer’s 40-year absence — namely the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. If you are in Southern California and searching for a pseudo-limo experience for your weekend in LA or a coastal road trip, check out Drive Awhile’s Jeep Grand Wagoneer and decide for yourself if the automotive icon has re-earned its spot on the throne.
*Daily price is subject to change
Baron Wilton
Baron is a walking encyclopedia of car facts. His favorite sport is behind the wheel of his Jaguar F-Type, which he drives more in the canyons of SoCal than on the streets.
