The return of the Jeep Wagoneer in 2021 was greeted fondly by many Jeep and SUV enthusiasts. The original Wagoneer, manufactured from 1962 to 1993, is considered the original “luxury SUV” with a combination of practical functionality and comfort. Now the fourth-generation Wagoneer and its upscale counterpart the Grand Wagoneer carry on the name, even bringing back the full-size design of the first generation.
When you look at a Jeep Wagoneer for sale, you may be asking, “How good is the new Wagoneer at off-roading?” After all, the SUV landscape has changed significantly over the last 30 years, with crossovers and similar designs now dominating the market. By some estimates, these “off-road light” machines account for nearly half of all US vehicle sales. Is the new Wagoneer part of this new breed, or does it remain true to the tradition of being off-road ready with added style? I decided to find out so you can decide whether it’s the right SUV for your exploits.
Engine and Performance: Big-Time Power
Everything begins with the powerplant. You need good top speed and acceleration when you’re constantly changing elevations and facing different situations. The Jeep Wagoneer comes standard with a Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six-cylinder engine that propels you forward with 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That’s significantly more power than the four-cylinder or six-cylinder Wrangler, giving you the juice to roll up steep hills.
When you add the Heavy-Duty Trailer package, the towing capacity reaches 10,000 lbs—the best in its class, giving you massive hauling for remote expeditions. Want to take a boat to a far-away lake or a set of ATVs to the middle of the woods? The Wagoneer is ready, willing, and able. Each Wagoneer comes with Trailer Sway Control for stability, and the Heavy-Duty Tow package includes features like Selec-Speed Control for regulating speed on hills, front and rear tow hooks for getting out of jams, and better engine cooling to combat the added heat that intense hauling generates.
Two All-Wheel Drive Systems
The drivetrain is the nuts and bolts of what makes an off-road vehicle. It doesn’t matter how powerful a machine is if it can’t handle tough terrain. The Jeep Wagoneer comes with a choice of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or two 4×4 all-wheel drive (AWD) systems—the Quadra-Trac I or Quadra-Drive II. I’ll say right away that anyone considering any sort of off-roading should get one of the AWD options, as this will provide substantially more traction on rough, slippery terrain.
Both 4×4 systems automatically adjust the amount of power to the wheels based on traction feedback, though it seldom achieves the 50/50 front-rear split of true four-wheel drive (4WD). Because of this, AWD is usually thought of as better suited to light off-roading. That said, the Wagoneer has some features that make it way more off-road-ready than a typical AWD SUV. Whichever 4×4 drivetrain you choose, it includes the Selec-Terrain Traction Management system with five selectable drive modes: Sand/Mud, Rock, Snow, Auto, or Sport. The Wagoneer will adjust its axle torque distribution, shift points, and other factors to match the chosen conditions.
With the Quadra-Drive II system, it replaces the mechanical limited-slip rear differential with an electronic version. Instead of simply reacting to a loss of traction, an electronic differential can anticipate a loss of traction and adjust to prevent this. Quadra-Drive II also has a 4-low range on the transfer case to give you the highest possible crawl ratio, making this the choice for serious off-roaders.
Chassis and Suspension
Now it’s time to explore the underpinnings, which are the skeleton that keeps any good off-road vehicle on track. The modern Jeep Wagoneer is built on the same chassis and frame as the Ram 1500, a truck praised for its off-roading ability and overall performance. Four Wheel magazine named the Ram 1500 Rebel the 2019 Pickup Truck of the Year, and the Ram 1500 consistently appears on the annual Car and Driver 10Best Vehicle list. So right there, you’re looking at a promising shared foundation.
Things get even better with the Quadra-Lift Air Suspension System add-on. It gives you 3.6 inches of suspension travel to cushion harsh bumps and jolts. There are also five ride height settings to adjust ground clearance in seconds. Off-Road 1 and Off-Road 2 modes add one and two inches of clearance, respectively, maxing at 10 inches total for getting over branches and rocks. Conversely, the Park Mode drops the right height by 1.6 inches so people can climb in more easily. You can also bump up the wheels from 18 to 20 inches with aggressively-treaded all-season tires for better traction.
With all its upgrades, the Wagoneer is rated to drive through water up to 24 inches deep, so a small creek or stream is no match for the day’s mission. Other features to improve the off-road experience include speed-sensitive steering and all-wheel disc brakes.
Cargo and Interior: Bring Anyone and Anything
There are people out there who like to go off-roading alone and with minimal gear. I’m in the crowd that likes to take their friends along and be prepared for a big weekend. If you feel the same, the Jeep Wagoneer is your speed. It has three-row seating for eight with a remarkably roomy interior. Both the regular and long-wheelbase (Wagoneer L) models have 40.9, 42.7, and 36.6 inches of legroom. Even adults will feel good sitting in the back on your next adventure.
This spaciousness also translates to cargo space. With every seat filled, the Wagoneer has 27.4 cubic feet of cargo room while the Wagoneer L has an impressive 42.1 cubic feet. With the second and third-row seats removed, this rises to 116.7 and 130.9 cubic feet. Pack luggage, skiing equipment, hiking gear, and much more. There’s enough room for you and a partner to put an air mattress down when you’re going places where you can’t set up a camper or tent.
The Wagoneer: A Big Off-Road Performer
If you don’t want to choose between off-roading capability and on-road luxury, choose the Jeep Wagoneer. Although the Wagoneer may not be on the same level as the Jeep Wrangler when it comes to pure off-roading performance—then again, few vehicles are—it’s a great choice for beginner, mid-level, and even some high-level adventurers who want solid off-roading in a super-sized package. The three-row seating lets you bring more friends along or stash more gear for weekend outings. And if your favorite fishing or snowmobiling spot is way out in the boonies, the excellent towing capacity and available suspension/powertrain upgrades will help you get there.
I haven’t even mentioned features like the all-LED exterior lighting, power liftgate, heated/ventilated front seats, 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, a full suite of driver assist features, and an available panoramic sunroof. These things might not help you grip mud and gravel better or get up a rocky hill faster, but they will enhance the overall off-roading experience for you and your posse. If you’re looking for a big vehicle that’s ready to do big things on any terrain, you can’t go wrong with the fourth-generation Jeep Wagoneer.
