AUTO

By Richard Posluszny

One thing that most people like is a great comeback story. It’s probably because everyone is susceptible to nostalgia and we all like to root for the underdog. Every now and then an automaker delivers one. The latest vehicle to get a resurrected nameplate is the Wagoneer, which was a full-size, luxury sport-utility vehicle built by Jeep.

While Jeep is not a manufacturer that’s top of mind for producing three-row vehicles, that’s changing as in recent years the company’s been making a conscious effort to deliver what people want. And, it’s safe to say that Jeep’s decided to go “all in” with its latest effort. So much so that the vehicle in question is not technically considered a Jeep product. Stellantis’ take is that it decided to do a “premium extension” and Wagoneer is an entirely separate marque. This is why you won’t find any Jeep badges on the all-new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models — well, aside from one tiny spot under the sideview mirrors.

So, how did they do? Let’s dive in.

Upon taking delivery of my “murdered out,” Grand Wagoneer Obsidian, I quickly realized it is a truly massive SUV. It’s essentially the size of a full-size pick-up truck, which means it is long, wide and tall. To say it has a presence would be an understatement. The allblack ensemble my test vehicle was equipped with did its best to make it seem stealthy but, frankly, you can’t

really hide anything this vast. Even though you can lower the Grand Wagoneer for an easier entrance/exit, I was happy to see the power-deployed sidestep pop out as I approached the truck — and I am 6’8.

Following Jeep’s latest design language, it’s evident straight away that the Wagoneer is part of the family. Where it takes an all-new approach, however, is with the Grand Wagoneer’s greenhouse. There’s a lot of glass and, overall, the shape is boxy and squared off. It exudes a more retro vibe, which is actually “in” right now. with U-shaped windows and its hind quarters look off considering its design is a bit top heavy. Long story short, there’s something not quite right about the Wagoneer’s design. It simply doesn’t inspire lustful feelings like, say, a Ford Bronco or Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Here’s the good news though: The Grand Wagoneer delivers where it counts. Once situated inside, you’re confronted with an onslaught of technology and an extremely well-appointed cabin. This is, undoubtedly, the most impressive interior that any brand under the Chrysler umbrella (e.g., Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM) has ever shipped.

That’s because there is smooth, supple leather covering the seats, dash and doors. My tester featured a staggering seven screens in the cockpit, which increases to eight if you include the digital rearview mirror. I loved the various displays’ software, which has a wonderful user experience (UX) and is highly responsive. This is a departure from previous generations of software that was easy to use but was burdened with lag. Last, but not least, there’s the optional 23-speaker McIntosh Laboratory sound system that puts out 1,375 watts. This marks a return to the automotive world for McIntosh, which is considered a world-renowned brand by audiophiles.

My favorite feature are the 24-way power front seats. This is because these chairs are not only heated, cooled and adjustable in every conceivable way, they also have a massage function that boasts five types of screen, it will display a helicopter view of the second and third-row seats. Click on a particular seat and the camera will zoom in on that area. If you’re purchasing a full-size, three-row SUV you probably will have kiddos back there. This is an excellent way to keep tabs, and make sure they’re not getting themselves into trouble, while you’re navigating them to music lessons or the ballfields.

All that said, all that glitters is not gold. Demerits are issued for the finicky controls that flank the center stack’s main display. Oddly, the heated/ventilated seat and heated steering wheel controls tend to take several taps to turn on rather than simply activate on the first touch.

Moving along. The main reason why you purchase an SUV of this ilk is space. Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of

treatment. Even better, the quality of the massage is on par with Mercedes-Benz’s — in my opinion, the best in the business. it. In all directions. Whether you’re in the first, second or third row, there’s plenty of room for adults. That said, the best seats in the house are the two in front for the aforementioned reasons.

Also, there’s an honorable mention: The rear seat monitoring camera system is splendid. Although there is a conventional, convex mirror that pops out from the overhead console, Chrysler’s engineers did something one step beyond this traditional fix. If you click “FamCam” on the 12-inch infotainment Need the third row and even more capacity for cargo? Great news! For the 2023 model year, Jeep is rolling out the Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L. This means the already huge standard variants gain 12 inches in length and seven inches to its wheelbase. These increases directly impact the cargo area, which gets more space to stow your stuff.

Before I continue, one small detail. Make sure to equip the Grand Wagoneer with the American Walnut trim. It is incredibly beautiful and, frankly, the metal interior on the Obsidian variant was dull, in comparison. Do the right thing, folks.

Now, let’s get to the part you’re all waiting for: How the Grand Wagoneer actually drives.

Powering my tester was a 6.4-liter V8 engine that produces a significant 471 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated with an eight-speed automatic, this is a combination used across other Chrysler products with great success. That said, you must keep in mind that the Grand Wagoneer weighs a staggering 6,400 pounds. Given all of this, zero to 60 happens in a respectable six seconds.

And whether you’re driving it around town or in strip mall parking lots, it’s surprisingly agile. Think of it like a linemen for the New York Giants that’s got great footwork — Don’t let their size fool you. This is a great accomplishment because after driving the competition, this isn’t always the case. When vehicles get this large, they can have cumbersome low-speed maneuverability.

At highway speeds, the Grand Wagoneer makes for an excellent cruiser. For a road trip, this would be a wonderful selection as the body remains composed in Sport mode and the V8 provides plenty of grunt for passing.

Don’t get me wrong, gang. The Grand Wagoneer is certainly not a sports car. But, all things considered, it is lithe and shockingly easy to drive, relative to the market. Jeep’s engineers have done good work here.

Where I was disappointed, however, is with the ride quality. Although the Grand

Wagoneer benefits from the use of an air suspension, bumps and imperfections aren’t as isolated as I would hope. It doesn’t help that the vehicle is outfitted with Goliath, 22-inch wheels.

To me, an SUV of this size should be able to handle Manhattan’s pockmarked roads with a bit more grace.

When all’s said and done, though, I think Jeep deserves credit for its first über SUV of the modern age. While I don’t think it’s a “no brainer” against the competition — which ranges from the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition to more upscale options in form of the BMW X7, Lincoln Navigator and Mercedes-Benz GLSClass — it has earned a spot among the ranks.

As buyers of all stripes have different needs, wants and budgets, I would advise shoppers to give the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer a shot if they’re seeking a spacious, tech-forward vehicle. Of course, this is assuming they don’t have an issue with its exterior design.

Reno’s Appliance held an industry-wide networking event at their showroom in Paterson. For more information, visit www.renosapliance.com.

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