It was only a matter of time before Jeep rolled back into the full-size SUV market. With Jeep’s unique blend of off-road capability and luxury amenities missing from the segment, it seemed like the segment wasn’t complete, but now consumers finally have another option to choose from: the 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The Grand Wagoneer is a welcome addition just as SUVs are soaring in popularity. Not only does Jeep bring the luxury amenities you associate with other brands in the segment, such as Cadillac, but it also brings the off-road readiness you can’t find elsewhere.
The Grand Wagoneer will be taking on the Suburban, Yukon XL, and Escalade ESV for full-size, sports-utility supremacy. The Grand Wagoneer will be debuting alongside the Wagoneer, which will be the shorter or smaller version of the two. The Wagoneer will compete with the likes of the Yukon, Tahoe, Escalade, and Expedition. The Grand Wagoneer will have a longer wheelbase (and much more interior space), but otherwise, you can expect them to be similar in terms of options and trims.
It’s important to note how much this changes the dynamics of the segment. The Wagoneer originally debuted with the 1963 model year when sports-utility vehicles were not even a concept. At the time, it was considered a go-anywhere wagon. And people were drawn to its blend of functionality and luxury, a combination that eventually laid the foundation for the modern sports-utility vehicle. Bringing Jeep back into this segment will certainly stir things up, and the consumer can only benefit from this renewed competition.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer will be built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan, alongside the Ram 1500 because it will be sharing the Ram’s chassis, among other reasons. Using the Ram 1500’s award-winning, fifth-generation architecture is a well-calculated move by Jeep as it gives it a solid base to work with. Between the proven capabilities of the Ram 1500 chassis and Jeep’s off-road credentials, this should be a match made in off-road heaven.
While the Grand Wagoneer will bring its off-road know-how to the segment, and its unique combination of toughness and luxury, expect the luxury amenities to be competitive as well. Not only will rivals have to up their off-road game, but they will also have to keep up with Jeep’s knack for making luxury SUVs.
Powertrain Options
It’s not clear exactly which engines will make it into the Grand Wagoneer, but you can get a good idea by looking at its architecture. The Grand Wagoneer shares the same body-on-frame underpinnings as the Ram 1500, and it seems as if they will also be sharing engines. So which engines can you expect to find for the Grand Wagoneer? Let’s take a look under the hood.
You can expect the standard engine for the base model to be a 3.6-liter V6 with 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Fuel efficiency for this engine is good at 20/25 mpg (2WD) and 19/24 mpg (4WD). This is the Pentastar V6 and features the eTorque mild-hybrid electric-assist system for increased efficiency. It’s a reliable engine and has been around for some time, so you know it is the right choice as the base option for the Wagoneer.
Also joining the lineup will most likely be the 5.7-liter V8. This engine gives 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. If you need more power for towing your boat to the lake, this is a great option and welcome addition to the lineup. However, if you’re looking for even more ponies, the Grand Wagoneer will possibly be offering a HEMI as well.
That’s right—there could be a Jeep with a HEMI. It sounds too good to be true, but let’s take a look at the engine anyway. It’s a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, and with this engine, you would be looking at 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. What’s great about this option is that it’s not even from the Ram 1500 lineup—it’s borrowed from the heavy-duty powertrains. So you’ll be getting some serious power with this engine, power reserved for the three-quarter and one-ton trucks in Ram’s lineup.
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 might also be an option, but Jeep has not confirmed this. There are, however, two other options worth mentioning. Once the Grand Wagoneer launches, expect these to join the lineup shortly after. The first will be a new hybrid powertrain system, a plug-in hybrid system that will most likely be similar to what you’ll find in the 2021 Jeep Wrangler. Jeep has shown how committed they are to an electrified future, so expect there to be an emphasis on hybrid and electric powertrains soon. In fact, Jeep is so determined they have pledged to bring an electronic counterpart to every vehicle in their lineup by 2022. What does this mean for the Grand Wagoneer? With so much torque and immediate engine response at your disposal, the Grand Wagoneer will be a joy to drive both on and off-road.
The other engine option is the Global Medium Engine Turbo Six Cylinder (GME-T6) engine. This option could be ready as early as 2023 and will most likely be featured on many other vehicles in the FCA lineup too.
Trim Levels
Expect the trim levels to mirror the Grand Cherokee. The entry-level trim, for example, should be very competitive in the segment. If you look at the off-road features available on Jeep SUVs, you can expect that it will also be ready to hit the trail right off the dealer’s lot. If you consider the history of the Wagoneer, the Grand Wagoneer should emphasize luxury and functionality.
There will also be plenty of safety features as standard for the base trim. Expect options similar to the Grand Cherokee, such as a high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen Uconnect system, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, and a rearview camera. It’s safe to assume the Wagoneer will have similar standard features at this level, if not more.
Moving up a trim level to the Limited trim gives you a power liftgate, power front seats, power sunroof, and heated front seats, so it’s not far off to expect the Grand Wagoneer to quickly transform into a luxury SUV as you climb the trim levels. While there has been no talk of a Trackhawk model for the Grand Wagoneer, expect a Trailhawk-like trim that utilizes the Ram 1500 Rebel’s four-corner air suspension. That’s a lot to be excited about. The Grand Wagoneer is not going to be just any other luxury SUV; this is one that will make its predecessors proud.
Tech and Safety for the Family
The 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer will have lots of fun tech features. One of the more exciting features you can expect is a new massaging chair for both the driver and front passenger. Now that’s traveling in style!
You’ll also find a lot of the same driver assists as the Ram 1500. Adaptive Cruise Control with full-stop and go, LaneSense, ParkSense Parallel, and Perpendicular Park-Assist will be potential features to look out for when you are deciding how to outfit your Grand Wagoneer.