Photo: Jeep
Fifteen years ago, Jeep was a laughable 4x4 brand clowned for shoddy build quality, poor build materials, and being sold by people who preferred accountants in high-ranking brand positions instead of designers and engineers. A decade and a half can do wonders for PR. But no two SUVs did more to ameliorate Jeep's reputation in North America than the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Back again for the 2024 model year, Jeep is making an impact statement with these two off-roaders. One hailing that Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz better show some respect.
Starting with the 2024 Grand Wagoneer, it's honestly quite hard as a critic to find too many faults in its quality or design since jumping back on the scene in 2021. But gosh darn it, Jeep had to find something to win over the hearts and minds of Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne drivers looking for something different and more American. Thankfully, the 2024 Grandwagoneer's all-new, twin-turbo, three-liter, straight-six Hurricane engine might be the ticket Jeep was looking for.
With 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque to work with, Jeep's bosses at Stellantis figure the new engine is 15 percent more efficient in real-world driving than any V6 or big V8 before it. For folks who remember the classic tried-and-true AMC straight-six once under the hood of classic Jeeps, it's things of that nature that might get lapsed Jeep fans back in the driver's seat. Add in the Grand Wagoneer Obsidian trim package to replace last year's Grand Wagoneer Series II package with Piano Black exterior trim pieces and 22-inch polished alloy wheels, among other trinkets, and we doubt a long-wheelbase Range Rover is all that much nicer inside and out.
As for the smaller Wagoneer, its derivative of the Hurricane straight-six makes a more modest 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque to the tires. But with the same plush leather seats, finely polished wood, and more screen space than the Space Shuttle like previous model years, the Wagoneer brings the fight to the short-wheelbase Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz G-Class in a way few other American alternatives truly can.
With three bespoke 4x4 control systems and up to ten inches of ground clearance via the Quadra-Lift air suspension also found on the Grand Wagoneer, chances are good they're evenly matched against European adversaries at its price point. In a market segment filled to the brim with more quality SUV options than most care to sort through, all these little things add up to equal a package that should be right at the top of people's shopping lists this holiday season. Check back soon for the latest pricing information for both models. Rest assured, they'll both cost a pretty penny.
With 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque to work with, Jeep's bosses at Stellantis figure the new engine is 15 percent more efficient in real-world driving than any V6 or big V8 before it. For folks who remember the classic tried-and-true AMC straight-six once under the hood of classic Jeeps, it's things of that nature that might get lapsed Jeep fans back in the driver's seat. Add in the Grand Wagoneer Obsidian trim package to replace last year's Grand Wagoneer Series II package with Piano Black exterior trim pieces and 22-inch polished alloy wheels, among other trinkets, and we doubt a long-wheelbase Range Rover is all that much nicer inside and out.
As for the smaller Wagoneer, its derivative of the Hurricane straight-six makes a more modest 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque to the tires. But with the same plush leather seats, finely polished wood, and more screen space than the Space Shuttle like previous model years, the Wagoneer brings the fight to the short-wheelbase Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz G-Class in a way few other American alternatives truly can.
With three bespoke 4x4 control systems and up to ten inches of ground clearance via the Quadra-Lift air suspension also found on the Grand Wagoneer, chances are good they're evenly matched against European adversaries at its price point. In a market segment filled to the brim with more quality SUV options than most care to sort through, all these little things add up to equal a package that should be right at the top of people's shopping lists this holiday season. Check back soon for the latest pricing information for both models. Rest assured, they'll both cost a pretty penny.
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