Grand Cherokee L vs Grand Wagoneer
Grand Cherokee L vs Grand Wagoneer
Posted on July 26, 2021
The 2021 Jeep lineup has received a major boost with the release of several new three-row SUVs. If you're looking for a larger vehicle which provides the traditional Jeep qualities of off-road excellence and family-friendly comfort, which is the right model for you? Read our Grand Cherokee L vs Wagoneer review to find out.
Underlying Engineering
The most fundamental difference between the Grand Cherokee L and the Wagoneer is in the underlying engineering. The Wagoneer is built body-on-frame, while the Grand Cherokee L is a unibody construction. This makes the Wagoneer stronger, heavier, and with a better towing capacity, although at the expense of thirstier fuel consumption.
Powertrains and Performance
Both vehicles are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, transferring the engine output to your choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. However, the two SUVs offer dramatically different engine options.
The entry level Grand Cherokee L is fitted with a 3.6L V6 Pentastar engine making 290 horsepower and 257lb-ft of torque. Moving up a level, there's the option of a 5.7L V8 pushing out a hefty 357 hp and 390lb-ft.
The base Wagoneer beats even the high-end Grand Cherokee L, with a 5.7L HEMI V8 making 392 hp and 404lb-ft of torque. But if even that's not enough power, upgrading to the 6.4L V8 brings a mammoth 471 hp and 455lb-ft.
Both of these SUVs operate at the top end of the performance scale, but for sheer power the Wagoneer is the more capable of the two.
Interior and Cargo
Both vehicles are four-door SUV designs, but the Wagoneer has the larger seating capacity with up to eight passengers compared to the Grand Cherokee L's seven. What's more, the Grand Wagoneer's larger cabin size also means substantially more cargo volume, with a maximum of 3,305L compared to the Cherokee's 2,396L.
Infotainment and Technology
Both the Grand Cherokee L and the Grand Wagoneer are equipped with a highly impressive array of infotainment and technology features. The Cherokee boasts a 10.25" digital gauge cluster offering a clear, bright display of essential driving information, backed up by an 8.4" infotainment touchscreen.
However, the Wagoneer improves on even that impressive standard, with a 12.3" instrument cluster, a 12" centre touchscreen, and a second 10.3" touchscreen dedicated to the HVAC system. Higher trims add yet more 10.3" touchscreens for the front passenger and second row, along with an optional pair of 10.1" media touchscreens for the rear seats.
Grand Cherokee L vs Wagoneer Review: The Verdict
These two new three-row SUVs from Jeep might share a family resemblance, but they're very different vehicles when looking beyond first impressions. For outright power and capability, the Wagoneer has a heft that the Grand Cherokee L can't quite match. However, the L's lighter construction and deft performance arguably makes it a smoother all-round drive, especially for agile off-road duties. Still unsure? Take a test drive of both models from City Chrysler and decide the Cherokee L vs Wagoneer contest for yourself.