2023 Jeep Wagoneer Review: Taking On The Establishment
For years, the Grand Cherokee has been Jeep's largest and most opulent model, and since 1983, the Wagoneer was simply a spruced-up Cherokee and later Grand Cherokee. This changed in 2022 when Jeep introduced the full-size new Jeep Wagoneer SUV and its Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer L siblings to the USA. With powerful engines and boasting an upscale interior with plenty of standard features and three seating rows, the Wagoneer is a convincing interpretation of the American luxury SUV.
Competitors to the Jeep Wagoneer full-size three-row SUV include the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon and, just like these opponents, the Wagoneer is derived from a tough body-on-frame truck platform, giving it excellent towing ability - all the way up to 10,000 pounds. Two engine choices are available in the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer, with the entry-level model featuring a 392-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in this application. The upgrade engine used in higher-trim variants is the new 420-hp 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six. All engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and power can be sent to either the rear wheels only or to all four, through a selection of three different 4WD systems.
What's the Price of the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer?
The Wagoneer is available in four trims: Wagoneer, Series II, Carbide, and Series III. The Wagoneer has an MSRP of $58,995, and the more upmarket Series II retails for $65,080. The Carbide sells for $68,775 and the Series III for $71,220. The price of the Jeep Wagoneer excludes the $2,000 destination charge. Upgrading to the 4x4 system adds $3,000 to the price of the Wagoneer, Series II, and Series III, but $3,645 to the price of the Carbide.
2023 Wagoneer Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 214.7 in | 123.0 in | 75.6 in | 83.6 in | 68.5 in | 68.3 in |
2023 Wagoneer Performance
2023 Jeep Wagoneer Handling and Driving Impressions
Even the entry-level V8 Jeep Wagoneer with rear-wheel drive is a heavy at nearly 6,000 lbs, so it would be unreasonable to expect nimble handling or storming performance. The experience on the road confirms this suspicion. The Wagoneer is ponderous around corners, with lots of body roll, uncommunicative steering, and early-onset understeer the name of the game. This doesn't really matter for a vehicle of this ilk, though, because comfort is its main priority, and you'll note that every review of the Jeep Wagoneer so far confirms that it delivers this attribute in spades - especially when fitted with air suspension. Only major bumps can be sensed inside and its sheer heft smothers all smaller road irregularities. Consequently, the Jeep Wagoneer is an excellent cruiser, and would be a wonderful road-trip companion. Off-road ability is another strong suit, provided the Series III trim and AWD option are selected on the order form.
While the Jeep Wagoneer's 48-volt mild-hybrid setup adds a useful 130 lb-ft at low engine speeds for system totals of 392 hp and 404 lb-ft, weight counts against it when performance is discussed and it still needs about 7.5 seconds to get from a standstill to 60 mph. Opting for the Hurricane twin-turbo inline six with its 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of boosted torque should improve on this time substantially, however, so if your budget permits, the six-cylinder is the engine to have.
2023 Wagoneer Interior
2023 Wagoneer Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles |
Verdict: Is The 2023 Jeep Wagoneer A Good SUV?
Jeep hasn't made a proper full-size luxury SUV in many years, so for them to come out of the gate with such a good all-rounder is frankly amazing. If your budget can stretch to a Wagoneer of whichever stripe, you'll get one of the most comfortable and plushest American SUVs out there, and that includes ostensibly more upmarket products like the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator, or even high-end Europeans like the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. We'd recommend opting for the turbo six-cylinder engine, though, because, while it will still be thirsty in the way of all big SUVs, it likely won't drink quite as enthusiastically as the old V8 does.
What 2023 Jeep Wagoneer Model Should I Buy?
Considering everything that comes standard on the Series II, we'd choose the Series II with 4x4. Paint it Baltic Gray, add the Premium Group for all the comfort, and live without the Carbide's sunroof that adds almost as much to the price as the entire Premium Group. The rear-seat entertainment is pricey, but it should keep the kids amused for hours. We would have liked the Heavy-Duty Trailer-Tow package, so we can get the upgraded Quadra Drive II 4WD system and two-speed transfer case, just in case the mood to wander off-road ever strikes, but selecting this removes the Premium Group, so you'll have to choose the one or the other.