2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Review and Test Drive
A purpose-built luxury SUV made for carrying more people and things.
Christian Wardlaw
The 2024 Grand Wagoneer L's primary rivals are the Cadillac Escalade ESV and Lincoln Navigator L. Compared with those equally huge SUVs, the Wagoneer costs more money but offers less cargo space. Don't let the Jeep badge fool you, though; the Grand Wagoneer L is undoubtedly a luxury SUV worthy of comparison with the Escalade and Navigator.
Capital One published a 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer review, but since then, the extended-length L model has gone on sale. Jeep has dropped the old Hemi V8 engines in favor of new Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder power plants, and the automaker expanded the availability of the blacked-out Obsidian trim package to the most luxurious version of the SUV.
Jeep offers the 2024 Grand Wagoneer L in Base, Obsidian, Series III, and Series III Obsidian trim levels. Prices range from the mid-$90,000s to the high $110,000s, including the $2,000 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Warren, Michigan, assembly plant to your local dealership. My Series III Obsidian test model had heavy-duty towing equipment and a rear-seat entertainment system, pushing the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $123,155, including the destination charge.
Christian Wardlaw
How Is the Grand Wagoneer L Different From the Standard Model?
When Jeep stretched the Grand Wagoneer to create the L version, the SUV's wheelbase grew by 7 inches while its overall length increased by 12 inches. The added length gave the Grand Wagoneer L an extra 15.8 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat. The third-row seating dimensions didn't change, but the longer wheelbase allowed Jeep to install wider rear doors, making entering and exiting the third row easier.
Naturally, the bigger Grand Wagoneer L's curb weight increased by 209 pounds to a whopping 6,621 pounds. The extended version of the SUV can't tow as much weight, topping out at 9,450 pounds compared with the standard model's maximum tow rating of 9,800 pounds. In addition, the maximum payload capacity drops 50 pounds with the L, from 1,470 to 1,420. Maneuvering the Grand Wagoneer L is more challenging, too, thanks to a wider turning radius (19 feet versus 21.1 feet).
The Grand Wagoneer is a Jeep, but it's not ideal for crawling over rocks or navigating gullies. Nevertheless, the standard Grand Wagoneer would be the best choice for off-roading because it offers superior breakover and departure angles compared with its extended-length sibling. The approach angles are identical between the two.
That's a lot of data to digest, but the upshot is this: A Grand Wagoneer L offers more cargo capacity and an easier-to-access third-row seat. Otherwise, you get nothing but compromise in exchange for the L's $3,000 price premium. So, unless you regularly carry lots of people and plenty of their stuff, the standard Grand Wagoneer is the better choice. Plus, it looks better without all that visual weight of the rear axle.
Christian Wardlaw
Tons of Space in the Grand Wagoneer L
Plan A for this review was to carry a bunch of people and their stuff, which is the point of a Grand Wagoneer L. I would transport seven family members and their overnight bags to attend a wedding in Temecula, California. As the date approached, however, someone dropped out, leaving me with six passengers. Then, the Jeep wouldn't unlock on the morning of departure.
I assumed the problem was the remote keyless entry fob's battery, so I went to the store, bought a new one, and popped it in. That wasn't the problem. It was the Grand Wagoneer's 12-volt battery that had expired. So, my family and I implemented Plan B: taking two cars instead of the Jeep.
A few weeks later, another road-trip opportunity presented itself, and Jeep sent me the same Grand Wagoneer L equipped with a brand-new battery. Unfortunately, for solo travel, the Grand Wagoneer L is overkill. Did I enjoy the comfortable driver's seat and its massage programs? Yes. Did the high-end McIntosh audio system keep me entertained? Absolutely. With six of the SUV's seven seats empty, though, it was a lonely drive to the desert.
Christian Wardlaw
Is a Hurricane Better Than a Hemi?
Since I last reviewed the Grand Wagoneer in 2022, Jeep has swapped out the 471-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8 for a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. Jeep calls it the Hurricane, and it churns 510 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 500 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. In addition to providing more power, the Hurricane inline-six is also more fuel efficient, according to the EPA. That's a win-win.
Officially, the 2024 Grand Wagoneer L returns 14/20/17 mpg in city/highway/combined driving. I put 350 miles on the Jeep during a round trip between Ventura County and Palm Springs, and the SUV averaged 18.8 mpg with one person, an overnight duffle bag, and a backpack aboard. Also, I had the suspension in Aero mode, a lower setting to improve aerodynamics. Separately, when evaluating the Jeep on my usual test-driving loop, the Grand Wagoneer L delivered 17.2 mpg.
There is no shortage of power from the Hurricane. You might bemoan the loss of a traditional V8 engine and exhaust note, but the twin-turbo six hustles this 3.5-ton SUV with surprising muscle. Thanks to its stout brakes, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and giant 22-inch wheels, it handles better, though more impact harshness makes its way to the cabin than you might prefer.
The Grand Wagoneer's square hood and huge windows provide unexpectedly good outward visibility, and numerous exterior cameras enhance the view, making it surprisingly easy to park the SUV. In a parallel parking situation where two other vehicles had boxed the Jeep in, those cameras and the parking sensors helped me quickly extract the Grand Wagoneer L from its space.
Christian Wardlaw
Cameras, Displays, and Screens
If you love vehicles with interior display screens, the 2024 Grand Wagoneer L is a dream come true, especially when equipped with the rear-seat entertainment system.
This SUV offers up to 75 inches of total screen real estate throughout the cabin, from the digital instrumentation panel and dual displays on the dashboard to the separate front passenger touchscreen and the one on the second-row console. Seemingly acres of gloss-black plastic make them look naturally integrated with the interior design, though the tablet-sized 10.1-inch entertainment screens mounted to the front seatbacks are almost gaudy in appearance.
Without any fellow travelers, most of the screens went unused. However, in other test vehicles with a similar array of displays, I've learned that my family rarely uses them because they prefer the simplicity and convenience of their smartphones. Still, the optional rear-seat entertainment system is undeniably impressive thanks to its Amazon Fire TV Built-in technology and access to platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, and more. In addition, HDMI ports make them compatible with gaming consoles.
Christian Wardlaw
The infotainment system features a 12.0-inch touchscreen and Jeep's Uconnect 5 software. The voice recognition system is not conversational, but if you follow the prompts, you'll achieve success. I programmed a route to a hotel, and upon arrival at the destination, the navigation system routed me through a private dirt lot and a back entrance to the property instead of to the front entrance and reception area.
During my trip to Palm Springs, I extensively used the test vehicle's advanced driver-assistance systems, including Jeep's Active Driving Assist technology. It pairs adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist to create a hands-on highway-driver-assist system. It worked well in variable traffic conditions, demonstrating smooth speed adjustment when other vehicles cut into the gap ahead. However, when steadily tracking another vehicle, the adaptive cruise control can brake too abruptly, as though it is prioritizing proper distance management over a refined driving character.
In addition, my Jeep had a night vision camera that detected pedestrians and animals. I didn't have a use for it during my time with the Grand Wagoneer, but it would be helpful when driving in the dark on an unlit road. Unfortunately, I found the head-up display hard to see during my trip to Palm Springs, even in its brightest setting. The digital rearview camera view also lacks contrast and appears washed out, reducing its effectiveness.
Christian Wardlaw
Luxury With a Purpose
Large, affluent families and wealthy people who need to tow heavy trailers will like the 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L. It's like a full-size van but styled like an SUV and equipped with numerous thoughtful design, comfort, luxury, and technology features. However, there is a substantial price to pay when choosing this Jeep. From the purchase price to the ownership and maintenance costs, the Grand Wagoneer L is for people with deep pockets. The same is true of the Cadillac Escalade ESV and Lincoln Navigator L.
Jeep provided the vehicle for this 2024 Grand Wagoneer L review.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Christian WardlawMy first word was “car.” That’s what I’m told, anyway. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with them. The design. The engineering. The performance. And the purpose. I’m a car enthusiast who loves to drive, but I’m also most interested in the cars, trucks, and SUVs that people actually buy. Anybody can tell you that a sports car is fast. What you need to know is whether or not you should buy that new SUV, and why. My life purpose is to help you make that decision.
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