Compared: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
When it comes to these family SUVs from Jeep, "Grand" means different things.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L (top) | Jeep Grand Wagoneer (bottom)
QuickTakes:
Can two Jeeps truly be termed Grand? The Jeep Grand Cherokee L and its bigger, beefier Grand Wagoneer sibling aim to answer that question.
While the Grand Cherokee L is a three-row version of the midsize Grand Cherokee SUV, the Grand Wagoneer serves as the luxury version of the full-size Jeep Wagoneer. While the naming overlap is largely superficial, it's not unreasonable to cross-shop these two.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Is the Cheaper Undertaking
The base 2023 Grand Cherokee L starts at around $43,000. For that sum, you're looking at a base rear-wheel-drive Laredo model powered by a 3.6-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive (AWD) comes at a $2,000 premium, while the optional V8 adds $4,000.
A Limited model equipped with four-wheel drive and some convenience features comes in at around $57,000, while the top-trim Summit Reserve starts at about $73,000.
The base price of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer starts at around $95,000, while a fully loaded Grand Wagoneer Series III comes in at roughly $120,000. AWD is standard on the Grand Wagoneer. If you want even more room, you can opt for the long-wheelbase Grand Wagoneer L, which carries a $3,000 premium.
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer Is Grand in Size and Features
Despite its boxy design and available off-roading features, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L at its core is a crossover SUV built on a unibody platform. The Grand Wagoneer, on the other hand, is a large body-on-frame SUV, and it's bigger than the Grand Cherokee L in every dimension. It has more legroom, space for an additional passenger in its third row, significantly more cargo volume, and a higher towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds for the Grand Wagoneer, compared with 7,200 for the Grand Cherokee.
The Grand Wagoneer can be had with 22-inch wheels, while the Grand Cherokee L is limited to 21 inches in its top trim. The Grand Wagoneer also comes standard with a 12.0-inch infotainment screen, while the Grand Cherokee L offers 8.4 or 10.1 inches. Air suspension, a surround-view camera system, and different four-wheel-traction systems and off-road driving modes are optional on the Grand Cherokee L, but again, come standard on the Grand Wagoneer.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Is the Fuel-Economy Champion
In most cases, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L employs a 3.6-liter V6 engine making 296 horsepower. With two-wheel drive, the V6 Grand Cherokee L returns 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined, while it gets 18/25/21 mpg with AWD. A V8 is available on upper trims, comes exclusively with AWD, and returns 14/22/17 mpg.
The 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer comes standard with AWD and offers two engine options. Standard is a 471-hp 6.4-liter V8 rated at 13/18/15 mpg. The Grand Wagoneer's optional engine is a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder putting out 510 horsepower and returning 14/20/17 mpg.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
