Despite its original run ending more than 30 years ago, the Jeep Wagoneer and its iconic wood trim is instantly recognizable to almost anyone. Jeep revived the iconic nameplate in 2022 to much fanfare, so we recently climbed behind the wheel of a 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III to see how this fancy, full-size sport-ute has aged—and with one key update under the hood, to see if it still has what it takes to compete in this small but hotly contested segment.
The reborn Wagoneer competes with other premium, body-on-frame SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80, Lincoln Navigator, and Lexus LX 600. Most of its competitors have seen updates over the last few years inside and out to keep them looking and feeling fresh, but the Wagoneer stays the course with its handsome and chiselled looks. It proudly wears Jeep’s signature seven-slot grille up front, which works well with its bright accents and chunky lines all around. The optional (and massive) 22-inch wheels add to its curb appeal and are worth the extra money. The Grand Wagoneer is a big box on wheels, but it’s aging gracefully and still turns heads on the road.
Inside, the Grand Wagoneer is properly cavernous and easily carries up to seven passengers in complete comfort. Up front, I had more than enough room to accomodate my six-foot-plus frame. The second-row captain’s chairs are equally spacious and felt slightly more accommodating than the Escalde Sport Platinum—both rows are heated and ventilated—and the third row still felt roomy as long as you’re under six-feet tall. Cargo space comes in at a very generous 765 litres behind the third row, 2,011 with the third row folded, and 3,313 L with everything stowed. It’ll handle cross-border grocery runs with ease.
Compared to some of its competitors, the Wagoneer’s interior lacks some of the wow factor on the tech front. Even though its all digital, the main instrument panel looks plain compared to the Escalade’s massive OLED screen. However, the 12-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment gets the job done—it’s quite easy to use, and you still have a row of physical switchgear below for climate controls. We also appreciated the shortcuts for the heated and cooled seats, as well as the heated steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present and accounted for. It’s a cleanly designed and ergonomic space, but I did find myself wishing for higher-quality materials. It’s a lovely space for a Jeep, but at just over $140,000 as-tested, our Grand Wagoneer’s tester doesn’t quite stack up against dedicated luxury brands.
Thankfully, the Grand Wagoneer makes up for that with a quiet and composed ride. Only the worst of imperfections make their way past the massive wheels and low-profile tires. Handling feels stable and the steering is surprisingly quick for such a brute; despite its size and weight, I was able to quickly avoid some surprise debris at highway speeds with zero fuss. At lower speeds, the light steering, big windows, and cameras everywhere made the Wagoneer feel like I was piloting a much smaller vehicle through my condo’s tight underground garage.
One key, recent update to the Grand Wagoneer is under the hood. The normally aspirated Hemi V8 is gone, replaced by Stellantis’ new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The Grand Wagoneer receives the high-output tune, putting out 510 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque—versus 420 hp and 468 lb-ft for the standard Wagoneer with this engine. Weighing in at more than 6,400 pounds, we appreciate the higher power figures. Don’t expect acceleration that pins you to the plush seats at full throttle, but power delivery is linear and smooth.
One disappointing aspect of this new powerplant is fuel economy. It’s rated at 16.3 L/100 kilometres in the city, 11.8 highway, and 14.3 combined—thirstier on paper than the V8 it replaces. In my time with it, I achieved a not-much-better 15.9 L/100 km combined. Premium-grade fuel is required with the high-output version, and on top of all that, its 115-litre tank means you should be prepared for pricey fill-ups.
Price has been a major sticking point with the Grand Wagoneer pretty much since it launched. This tester is no exception, starting at a reasonable $118,270, but our tester works out to $141,450 as-tested before fees and taxes. To put that into perspective, the last GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate we tested topped out at $137,000 with a proper V8 under the hood, and the Escalade and Navigator offer much more upscale experiences for similar money. There’s much to like about the 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III, but it’s just too expensive for its own good.
