Despite the impending swing to electrification, Jeep is hell-bent on stealing some of GM’s lunch money in the full-size SUV segment. Following the launch of the three-row Grand Cherokee L and Ram-based Wagoneer twins, the brand is foisting yet another jumbo SUV on the marketplace — one which is a full 12 inches longer than its already brutish offerings.
Showing up in the flesh at this year’s New York International Auto Show are the Grand Wagoneer L and Wagoneer L Carbide. Top brass say these rigs span an entire foot longer compared to the standard-length Wagoneers, meaning they should check in at a yawning 226.7 inches. If you’re wondering, that’s precisely 1 inch longer than the Chevy Suburban, a machine which is the undisputed king of this segment. Wheelbase is similarly stretched, edging up by 7 ticks to 130 inches in total.
By putting the standard Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in a taffy-puller, Jeep is making the claim of both best-in-class passenger space and cargo area behind the third row. During a presentation to Driving, engineers said they managed to eke out 50 per cent more cargo volume back there compared to the standard-length model, which would mean a space measuring just over 41 cubic feet. GM lists 41.5 cubes in that area for its Suburban. So-called ‘Trail Rails’ lined the outboard edges of the cargo space in the vehicles shown at launch, giving owners somewhere handy to lash down cargo or unruly passengers.
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (left) and 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L (right) Photo by Stellantis
Jeep Grand Wagoneer (left) and Jeep Grand Wagoneer L (right) Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Wagoneer L Carbide Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Wagoneer L Carbide Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Wagoneer L Carbide Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Wagoneer L Carbide Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Wagoneer L Carbide Photo by Stellantis
What effect does all this extra space have on weight? Jeep says these additions pack on about 200 pounds compared to a standard-length Wagoneer. Glass and metal are heavy, don’tcha know? Eagle-eyed car spotters will be able to visually distinguish an L trim thanks to its rear passenger doors. [See the side-by-side images above.] On a regular model, the door has a cut-out for the rig’s rear wheel arch; on this extended-length variant, it’ll drop straight from roof to rocker. Designers on the call told us everything forward of the B-pillar is shared with the shorter Wagoneer.
Well, everything except for what’s under the hood, that is. Alert readers will recall Jeep’s parent company hauled the covers off a new 3.0L inline-six twin-turbo engine earlier this year, calling it the “Hurricane” and suggesting it would soon appear in new models. Both the Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L will have the Hurricane as standard equipment, where it will heave out 420 horsepower in the former; and 510 ponies in the latter. This surplus of grunt will make up for the extra weight, particularly in its high-output variant, and towing remains rated at 10,000 pounds. As for fuel economy, Jeep expects a 15-per-cent improvement for the 420-hp variant compared to the existing 5.7L Hemi, which makes 375 hp and is rated at 13.8 L/100 km for the 2022 model year.
Note well: the standard-length Wagoneer will keep its 5.7L Hemi V8 as standard with Hurricane as an option, while the Grand Wagoneer has Hurricane as standard and a 6.2L V8 as option. Yeah, we know — clear as mud. Here’s a chart.
- Wagoneer: 5.7L V8 standard, Hurricane optional
- Grand Wagoneer: Hurricane standard, 6.2L V8 optional
- Wagoneer L: Hurricane SO standard (420 hp)
- Grand Wagoneer L: Hurricane HO standard (510 hp)
Basically, just get the most powerful one that’s within your budget, mmmkay? Jeep says it has plenty of flexibility on its assembly line and can build a product mix that’ll respond to consumer demand. Questions about expected take rates on each engine were politely rebuffed by suits in the room.
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L rear interior cargo space. Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L interior front row with Palermo leather seating with quilting and leather-wrapped instrument panel, consoles and door panels with accent stitching is available. Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L features the new Uconnect 5 12-inch touchscreen available with the premium and exclusive McIntosh MX1375 Reference Entertainment System. Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Wagoneer L Carbide Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Wagoneer L Carbide Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Photo by Stellantis
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III Photo by Stellantis
Interestingly, engineers noted that 96 per cent of parts are the same between the 420- and 510-horse variants of this twin-turbo engine, with boost and compression differences accounting for the majority of the power bump. Supressing a bemused grin, one Jeep employee told us they’ve “left a bit back for future design”, suggesting even more powerful variants are in the offing. Other key statements made about the Hurricane include the assertion it “allows packaging in any rear-wheel-drive vehicle we have” and “can be coupled with PHEV in the future.”
Unpacking those statements, it is safe to speculate we’ll be seeing Ram pickup trucks with the Hurricane under their burly hoods, possibly with different horsepower ratings for different applications. As for the PHEV remark, this bodes well for SUVs (and perhaps trucks) gaining electrification gubbins with this engine as its gas-burning partner. With existing 4xe offerings belting out 375 horsepower using a 2.0L four-banger as their base, 600 hp or more out of a Hurricane-powered 4xe isn’t out of the question — especially with an HO variant under the hood.
Timing for the Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L to appear on dealer lots is set for sometime later this year. If history is any indication, Jeep will start with its most expensive trims first (they are showing a Series III and Obsidian at the launch, after all) with others to follow in the 2023 model year.
Keyword: Jeep stretches full-size SUV a foot with 2023 Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L