2023 Jeep Wagoneer: Specs, Prices, Ratings, and Reviews (2024)

The big news on the powertrain front is the new inline six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine that incorporates the latest in manufacturing technology and control systems. The Grand Wagoneer receives a High-Output version with modified engine internals, cooling systems, and a higher compression ratio but requires premium-octane gasoline.

All engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive is standard. There are three variations of all-wheel/ four-wheel drive systems. The Wagoneer trim and Series II can be fitted with a full-time system for $3,000 with terrain-specific traction management systems while the Series III trim gains a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Grand Wagoneer is only offered with the top-spec system that additionally features a limited-slip rear differential. This system is offered on all trims of the Wagoneer.

The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are similarly sized as are their respective L models (+$3,500) with lengths that extend from 215 inches to 227 inches which are a few inches more than the Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban duo. Compared to the extended-length three-row Grand Cherokee, the Wagoneer is about 10 inches longer and its 84-inch width is nearly six inches greater. Inside, the Wagoneer is arranged for eight passengers while the Grand Wagoneer is fitted for seven, although it can be equipped for eight.

The Wagoneer’s cargo area measures 27 cubic feet behind the third row (42 cu. ft. in L form), 71 cu. ft. with the third-row seats folded (85 cu. ft. in L form) and 117 cubic (131 cu ft in L form) with all seats folded. Those values are significantly greater than the Grand Cherokee L but not quite as spacious as the Chevrolet twins.

Passengers will also appreciate the additional space over the Grand Cherokee L with nearly 37 inches of third-row legroom (six inches more), 39 inches of third-row headroom, and 51.6 inches of third-row hip room (nine inches more). The Wagoneer’s second-row passengers feature even more space with nearly 43 inches of legroom and 63 inches of hip room. Those measurements are best in class.

The Wagoneer’s towing ratings range from 7,500 to 10,000 pounds when equipped with the ($995-$1,495) towing package for another best-in-class rating.

The 2023 Wagoneer is standard with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic detection, and front and rear parking sensors. The Convenience Package ($3,695) offers full-speed adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, surround-view monitor, and parking assist with stop.

The Series II includes those features as standard. The Grand Wagoneer adds an automated parking system and auto brake hold and offers adaptive driving assist, a digital rearview camera, a rear seat monitoring camera, and night vision with pedestrian and animal detection through the Convenience Package ($4,195) which is standard on the Series III.

The Wagoneer is equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with TomTom navigation, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa Built-In, and a 4G Wi-Fi Hot Spot. There are also eight USB ports a 115-volt outlet, and an Alpine stereo with nine speakers. A wireless charger is included in the Convenience Package and a 10.25-inch passenger dashboard multi-media display is offered for $1,395.

The Grand Wagoneer is treated to a larger 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, 19-speaker 950-watt McIntosh sound system which is taken to the next level in the Series III with a total of 23 speakers, a more powerful amplifier, and a larger subwoofer.

The Wagoneer starts off with a long line of notable features. Its exterior is highlighted by chrome trim accents on the grille, front fascia, lower side garnish, and lower tailgate bumper that contrast the black grille mesh, window surrounds, door mirrors, fender flares, and tailgate trim. The 18-inch aluminum wheels, side steps, roof rails, LED headlights, fog lights, and tail lights, hands-free power tailgate, heated mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lights, remote engine start, proximity entry, and acoustic front door glass and windshield are among the list of premium exterior features.

Inside, the perforated leather 12-way power front seats with heating and ventilation and memory positioning for the driver, heated steering wheel, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, power-adjustable pedals, remote folding third-row headrests, and a tri-zone climate control system help make every Wagoneer a comfortable place to spend time in. The Convenience Group adds second-row heated seats and sunshades, and the added safety features. The Premium Group is also offered for $3,495 and includes 20-inch wheels, cross bars for the roof rails, and a tri-panel sunroof.

The Grand Wagoneer is very similar in shape but wears a unique grille, front fascia, hood, and LED headlights, body-colored fender flares, a contrasting black-painted A-pillar and roof panel, bright chrome window surround, and Grand Wagoneer lettering across the tailgate.

The more-premium model also features power folding mirrors, air suspension, power-folding side steps, a tri-pane panoramic sunroof, a surround-view monitor, door handle lighting, front and rear animated lighting, 24-way power adjustable premium Nappa leather seats with massage, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and rear power captain’s chairs with a digital control display (one is also located in front) for the four-zone climate system, and a third-row power-folding seat.

The top tier trim includes seats with quilted accents and unique colors, ventilated rear seats, front console cooler, natural walnut wood trim, rear seat monitoring camera, and the added safety equipment.

The Obsidian Package is also available for $995.

Compare Wagoneer Trims Side-By-Side

Groaning with equipment. Even the most affordable Wagoneer practically drips in equipment, including ventilated leather front seats, an Alpine sound system and a power tailgate. The Series III offers everything from a head-up display to air suspension above 20-inch wheels. Grand models are all about numbers, with a three-pane sunroof, 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, 20-inch wheels and 24-way power front seats.

By the time you reach the Grand Wagoneer L Series III, the speaker count has increased to 23 while other features include quilted Palermo leather trim, ventilated second-row seats, and a fridge. You can also have as much as 75 inches of screen real estate, including dedicated screens for the front passenger and middle-row occupants, streaming Amazon Fire TV and equipped with a remote control featuring the all-important Netflix button.

Ride, not handling. A three-ton SUV won’t make much of an impression parked outside COP28, but it certainly makes an impression on road surfaces, by pummeling them into submission. Even without the air suspension fitted on most models, the ride is exceptional – with it installed, road manners are sublime. Rear load-leveling suspension maintains balance when a trailer (of up to 10,000 lb) is attached, while the air suspension can increase ground clearance to ten inches or drop it to 7.4 in the misnamed Sport mode.

The payoff for this luxuriant ride quality is inevitably found in driving dynamics. The Wagoneer lumbers and lurches around corners, with slow-witted steering adding to the sense of piloting a wardrobe. The base 5.7-liter V8 offers effective performance, though it’s eclipsed by the sheer power of the 6.4-liter V8 or the turbo-6 installed in most Grand Wagoneers.

An eight-speed automatic transmission does a fine job of applying power to the road across the range, and AWD models have decent off-road abilities – as you’d expect from any vehicle bearing a seven-slot radiator grille. If you go for the top-range Quadra-Drive II system, it has an electronic limited-slip rear diff and adjustable torque splitting, while even Quadra-Drive I models have low-range gearing.

The final frontier. The Wagoneer is a vast vehicle externally, and that carries through to its cabin. While other vehicles claim to accommodate eight people, the big Jeep really does. Not only that, it offers loads of legroom (even in the third row), while a fully-loaded L still offers over 44 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Rear occupants aren’t poor relations for once, with heated and ventilated seats alongside USB sockets and rear entertainment systems, though the front seats are the last word in comfort.

As you’d expect for the money, higher trims are lavishly fitted with open-pore timber and metal. You can have up to six different screens across the cabin, making this a techie wonderland. On a related note, the Wagoneer’s safety roster runs from automatic emergency braking to rear cross-traffic and blind-spot monitoring. Other features are either options or only fitted to higher trims – adaptive cruise, surround-view cameras and a driver attention monitor. These should really be standard across the range, in our view.

Final thoughts. It’s curious that Jeep has chosen to enter the large SUV market at the exact moment disruptors like Rivian are ushering us towards an era of electrification and futuristic design. There’s nothing futuristic about a three-ton Jeep with V8 engines, slab-sided design and combined fuel economy of just 15 MPG in some versions. A mild hybrid system on the 5.7-liter V8 does little to improve fuel economy, though it does add 130 lb-ft of torque.

The Wagoneer is almost completely out of step with modern trends. Yet for that reason alone, many people will love it. It’s impossible not to be seduced by its sumptuous ride, allied to a cabin that transports eight adults in indulgent comfort. Equipment levels range from generous to lavish, and performance is far brisker than the Wagoneer’s looks or aerodynamics might suggest. It’s the ideal vehicle to be driven long distances in, but we wouldn’t fancy being the driver at journey’s end when car parks and filling stations await.

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