The Jeep auto brand has been described many ways in its many decades — rugged, adventurous, fun, powerful, and capable, to give a few popular examples — but it’s never been the first manufacturer people think of when they hear the word “luxurious.”
Until now, Jeep didn’t seem to be trying to compete in the luxury segment. All that changed with the release of the Jeep Wagoneer luxury SUV and Jeep Grand Wagoneer ultra-luxury SUV. In fact, as a testament to how these luxury SUVs stand out compared to Jeep’s classic lineup, the Wagoneer doesn’t even feature Jeep badging on its exterior.
Curious about the new Jeep Wagoneer? Here’s a rundown of its pros and cons according to industry experts.
Pros of the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer
Let’s start with some of the high points of the Jeep Wagoneer.
Lots of passenger and cargo space
With three rows seating seven or eight depending on its configuration, the Wagoneer is built to be roomy. Many reviewers have commented on the ample head- and legroom for riders — in fact, this SUV has the best-in-class legroom in its second and third rows, as well as the most passenger volume in its class.
Another feather in the Wagoneer’s cap is its most-in-class cargo space behind the third row. This combination of passenger and cargo space can serve families well on their travels.
Tech-heavy cabin
Have you ever yearned to travel the open road virtually surrounded by touchscreens and speakers? There’s a standard 10-inch navigation and infotainment system up front, but also an interactive screen available for whoever is in the passenger seat as well as available dual screens behind the second row for kiddos to stay entertained. Meanwhile, the sound comes through a nine-speaker, 506-watt stereo system.
Ultra-smooth ride
Some big SUVs sacrifice handling and ride quality for size, but many reviewers have pointed out that the Wagoneer offers a smooth ride on the highway thanks to its suspension.
Hefty towing capacity
Need to get your boat up to the lake house for the season? Or need to pull a camper on that family excursion to your next national park? The Wagoneer features a best-in-class maximum towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds, making it formidable enough to handle hefty hauling tasks.
Plenty of off-road capabilities
Have you ever seen a luxury SUV hit the trails? Probably not — it almost seems counterintuitive to imagine such a thing. The Wagoneer actually does offer an Advanced All-Terrain Group with equipment like a transfer case, front suspension, skid plates, rear limited-slip differential with electronic locking, and air suspension. This package also adds smaller, but more durable, wheels. The result? The Wagoneer has off-road capability that might just surprise you.
Cons of the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer
Every vehicle on the road today has its upsides and downsides, and the Wagoneer is no exception.
Lackluster fuel efficiency
The fuel economy for the 4×2 Wagoneer is 16 city miles per gallon and 22 highway miles per gallon. The fuel economy for the 4×4 Wagoneer is 15 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. These are EPA estimates, so of course they may vary a bit. This SUV has a lot to offer in terms of interior space and amenities, but it certainly has the low fuel economy of a large SUV.
Luxury features = luxury price tag
The word “luxury” has been thrown around many times by this point — for a reason. The base price of the Wagoneer clocks in just below $69,000. Remember, it’s meant to compete with other SUVs rather than other Jeeps.
Weighing the pros and cons of the new Jeep Wagoneer can help you decide if it’s the right premium SUV for you.
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