Jeep’s Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are full-size truck-based SUVs. This means that, like the Chevrolet Suburban and Lincoln Navigator, they share the chassis and powertrain with the half-ton pickup truck. But to dismiss the Wagoneer as a rebadged Ram does it a disservice: Jeep engineered an arsenal of new technology into the Wagoneer, including powertrains offered on no Ram truck.
The Grand Wagoneer features engines not yet available in any Ram truck
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For launch in 2022, Jeep’s Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer offered two V8s. The regular Wagoneer came with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 available in the half-ton Ram 1500. The Grand Wagoneer, though similar in weight, boasted the 6.4-liter (392 cubic inch) HEMI V8 from the heavy-duty Ram truck and Dodge’s ” Scat Pack” muscle cars.
But Jeep did something special with these engines: The automaker equipped the 6.4-liter HEMI with the eTorque mild-hybrid system Ram designed for its half-ton trucks. This makes the Grand Wagoneer the only vehicle to offer a hybrid version of the 6.4-liter.
For the 2023 model year, Jeep expanded the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer’s engine lineup. It added the 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 that Stellantis developed for its full-size vehicles worldwide. The new high-output “Hurricane” engine uses 26 psi of boost to make over 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque – with just 3.0 liters. The Wagoneer SUVs are the first Stellantis vehicles to offer this new engine.
Read more about Wagoneer’s Hurricane I6.
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have independent rear suspension
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Early reviewers of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are raving about its comfort, style and off-road capability. This full-size SUV won’t be tackling the Rubican Trail anytime soon, but feels surprisingly composed off-road – considering its size.
The Wagoneer SUVs have some Ram technology to thank for their off-road capability. They all ride on the rear coil springs that Ram engineered for the fourth generation of its half-ton pickup and newer Ram 2500 trucks. Additionally, every Grand Wagoneer comes with a full-time 4WD Ram engineered for its TRX super truck. Finally, the Grand Wagoneer features the air suspension that is optional on Ram 1500 trucks.
Jeep also designed some all-new technology for the Wagoneer. Instead of the Ram trucks’ live rear axle, the Grand Wagoneer rides on independent rear suspension. This allows it to slide over terrain obstacles. Meanwhile, the Wagoneer has the highest towing rating of any SUV.
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer may be a preview of future Ram trucks
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It’s clear that Stellantis is throwing its most advanced technology at the luxurious Grand Wagoneer. For this reason, the full-size Jeep SUV may be a preview of the next generation of Ram trucks. Future Ram trucks will probably offer the I6 Hurricane engine. Additionally, Ram may go to independent rear suspension for the sixth generation of its half-ton pickup. We already have reason to believe that the upcoming electric Ram pickup will have independent rear suspension.
We certainly see some of the Grand Wagoneer’s more advanced technology making its way into the 2023 Ram Truck. The new Ram 1500 Limited Elite Edition combines some of the Grand Wagoneer’s luxury features with a top-trimmed Ram truck.
Then read about the unique relationship between the Jeep brand and the Wagoneer brand or watch the Wagoneer and Ram 1500 face off in a tow test in the video below:
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