AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8/10
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Safety8/10
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PRACTICALITY10/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8/10
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FEATURES9/10
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POWER10/10
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COMFORT10/10
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DRIVING FEEL10/10
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FUEL ECONOMY5/10
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VALUE7/10
If you’re shopping for a supersized SUV that’s both long and luxurious, the choices aren’t exactly abundant.
Of course, there’s the Cadillac Escalade that comes in an extended format, as does the Lincoln Navigator; plus their mainstream siblings can be decked out with fancy features of their own. But that used to be it until Jeep joined the fray with an even bigger version of the already-oversized Grand Wagoneer.
Fresh off its first year on the market, nothing has changed about this behemoth, with the 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L delivering enormous amounts of space and substance – all without the pretentiousness that can come with expensive SUVs like it.
Styling: 8/10
While this much chrome would be enough to overwhelm a more modestly sized vehicle, the flashy garnish works well with the Grand Wagoneer’s proportions. (An available Obsidian package swaps all that stuff and then some for black trim instead.) The issue with this tester’s trim in particular was the misaligned chrome strip at the top of the tailgate glass – an unwelcome sight on any vehicle, let alone one that’ll set you back six figures.
Looking elsewhere, it wouldn’t be unfair to describe this sport utility as slab-sided, with barely any contouring to its big body panels. But then the rear quarter glass that kicks up towards the back and looks a little awkward on the slightly shorter version of this giant Jeep is decidedly less so here.
The interior is made up of all manner of materials, which together do reasonably well to disguise the sheer amount of space on offer here. (The alternative is to come across as cold and cavernous, which this Jeep most certainly does not.) This tester’s tan leather that’s both quilted and perforated pairs well with real wood trim, plus just a bit of glossy plastic trim. It’s enough to make the Grand Wagoneer’s cabin as classy as those of its more established competitors without trying too hard – a rare achievement in this segment.
Comfort: 10/10
The seats look and feel properly premium – particularly in this range-topping Series III trim that gets massage functionality up front. (The Lincoln Navigator L can be equipped with the same style of seats up front and in the second-row, too – something not offered here.) The selectable system was put to good use during this two-week test, and it proved itself to be one of the best in the business, with a handful of settings and intensities to choose from.
With air suspension available across the Grand Wagoneer L lineup, expect a velvety ride quality that does well to compensate for the shortcomings of the oversized wheels and low-profile tires it rides on. While that combination tends to communicate every pressure crack and pothole to occupants of otherwise luxurious offerings, only the absolute worst the road has to offer is felt here.
User-Friendliness: 8/10
Praise-worthy though the front seats may be, they aren’t exactly perfect – at least not for tall occupants. The same is true of the Ram 1500 pickup, unsurprising given they share the same underpinnings, but that does nothing to alleviate the issues here, including head restraints that don’t extend as high as they should.
The rest of the Grand Wagoneer is approachable and easy to operate, starting with the infotainment system that’s run through a bright and responsive 12-inch touchscreen on the dash. (The base trim gets a 10.1-inch display.) The system looks and feels a lot like a smartphone interface, with tile icons for the various apps housed within, plus a row of dedicated shortcuts that can be reshuffled to suit user preference. And when it comes to actual smartphone operation, the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections are both wireless, while multiple paired devices can be toggled between on the go.
There’s an entire bank of proper buttons for climate control, plus a separate touchscreen below for seat and HVAC fine-tuning. (There’s another one between the second-row captain’s chairs for rear climate functions.) The switchgear on the centre console isn’t quite as praise-worthy, with a row of haptic sensors to go with a rotary gear selector; but then the toggles for ride height and drive mode selection are as simple as they get.
Driving Feel: 10/10
It’s not often a vehicle this big is so easy to manage. No, that doesn’t mean you’ll find front-row parking at the grocery store – at least not without upsetting your fellow shoppers – but low-speed manoeuvres come to the Grand Wagoneer L much more naturally than you might expect. Credit a steering system that’s fingertip-light when winding out the wheel while precision parking, although it firms up appropriately at higher speeds.
Power: 10/10
There’s a single engine on offer here that comes one of two ways, depending on trim. Forget the specs for now and focus solely on sensory perception; there isn’t a moment this ever feels like it’s missing the two cylinders it gives up to the gas-powered Cadillac Escalade. Whether by the seat of your pants or even the sound to your ears – in most circumstances, anyway – this twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder has all it needs and then some to move everyone inside this Jeep in comfort, speed, and style.
At 510 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque (the standard version spins up 420 and 468, respectively), there’s an abundance of output to work with, while the engine pairs well with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive system to make the drive experience as measured as it is muscular.
Fuel Economy: 5/10
It takes a big family to fill the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L – and a big budget to refuel it. That’s because of the sheer size of the fuel tank (115.4 L), along with its thirst for premium-grade gas in the case of the high-output engine; the regular version calls for 89-octane.
Of course, any truck-based SUV is bound to be thirsty for fuel, but this one’s combined consumption rating of 14.3 L/100 km is worse than the V6-powered Navigator’s (13.2), and only barely better than the V8-powered Escalade’s (15.0). Meanwhile, actual consumption came in at an indicated average of 15.8 L/100 km across more than 860 km of testing that was done predominantly on the highway.
Practicality: 10/10
On the subject of size, if it’s outright space you’re after, this Jeep delivers. Even the third-row bench is big enough to accommodate adults, although the first- or second-row seats are far more comfortable, while the added dimensions here mean there’s a hilarious 1,252 L of space for stuff with all the seats upright. (For the sake of comparison, there’s a still-impressive 776 L behind the regular Grand Wagoneer’s third row.)
Breaking down the details, the Grand Wagoneer L measures 5,759 mm (226.7 in) – 306 mm (12.0 in) longer than the standard model. Its wheelbase has also been stretched by 179 mm (seven in) to 3,303 mm (130.0 in), although somewhat surprisingly, that doesn’t result in any extra occupant space inside. Towing capacity maxes out at 4,468 kg (9,850 lb) with the regular-output engine and proper rear axle ratio; that number is almost cut in half without the latter. The high-output version is rated to pull 4,286 kg (9,450 lb).
Features: 9/10
More than just space, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L offers plenty of substance. Naturally, it’s a sliding scale that gets better as the price increases, but even the cheapest version comes with good stuff like active noise cancelling technology, an entirely digital instrument display, tri-zone automatic climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats.
There’s also wireless smartphone connectivity, subscription-based Wi-Fi and satellite radio, and leather upholstery throughout the cabin. Moving across the lineup, there’s more standard and optional content ranging from a 23-speaker stereo to massaging front seats, a dedicated passenger display in the dash, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
Safety: 8/10
Standard advanced safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic. More fancy features, like night vision with animal and pedestrian detection, are reserved for the priciest version the Grand Wagoneer, but they aren’t exactly must-haves you’ll miss if you’re shopping for a cheaper trim.
All the systems work well and add the sort of peace of mind they’re supposed to, and they do so without being too overbearing or intrusive. If there was a complaint worth levelling it would be the absence of hands-free highway driving assistance – a function available in both the Navigator and Escalade.
Value: 7/10
Just like its Lincoln and Cadillac counterparts, the 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L is priced according to its proportions. It starts at $118,270 before freight, taxes, and fees – more than the 2024 Escalade ESV ($113,399), but less than the 2024 Navigator L ($122,500). Meanwhile, the Series III version has a sticker price of $132,270, while options and extras pushed the pre-tax price of this tester to $141,450. That’s roughly the same as the Escalade ESV Sport, while a pair of Platinum versions ring in at some $23,000 more.
The Verdict
If the Cadillac Escalade is luxurious like a high-end suit, then the 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L is like a waxed canvas coat from a brand like Filson. Sure, it’s supposed to be workwear first and foremost; but you wouldn’t be entirely out of place wearing it out to a nice dinner, either. It’s classy without being formal – understated in its elegance instead of in your face.
Yes, you should still cross-shop it against the Escalade and Navigator – and even the Lexus LX, if you don’t need something quite so big – but if you want premium quality while keeping pretentiousness to a minimum, this Jeep is a great way to get it.
| Engine Displacement | 3.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I6 |
| Peak Horsepower | 510 hp @ 5,700 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 500 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 16.3 / 11.8 / 14.3 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 1,252 / 2,515 / 3,197 L behind 3rd/2nd/1st row |
| Model Tested | 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III |
| Base Price | $132,270 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,695 |
| Price as Tested | $141,450 |
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Optional Equipment
$6,385 – Rear-seat entertainment system, $2,695; 22-inch painted aluminum wheels, $1,995; Federal green levy, $1,000; Diamond Black Crystal Pearl paint, $695
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