BEHIND THE WHEEL: 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer – rugged luxury anyone?

It’s Jeep, so it’s going to be rugged even when combined with the word luxury.

Indeed, Jeep has certainly taken a bold step into the world of luxury SUVs with the 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Why you ask? Well, many people are not able to put tough road driving together aka adventure-seeking families with the likes of a luxury enthusiast vibe.

But here you have both in the perfect package. The strong engine, top-of-the-line safety features, and more pros than cons means the 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer blend will not only conquer the off-road trails and upscale boulevards, but it will also capture your heart.

While the Jeep Grand Wagoneer might not be the most fuel-efficient option, it is still the most powerful luxury option you will find on the market today. 

COMPETITION 

The competition for the 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer in the luxury SUV market is the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator. While its rugged off-road capabilities are a stand- out, if you are merely looking for luxury the competitors do offer a good match. However, the Grand Wagoneer can do it all and in 2023 there is a Grand Wagoneer L, with an extended-wheelbase offering more cargo room too.

TRIM LEVEL 

The 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offers three rows of seating that fits up to seven, eight with the Flexible Seating Group package. There are three trim levels; Series I, Series II and Series III. Series I offers plenty of comforts from the hands-free liftgate, to the panoramic roof, tow hitch, and leather upholstery and plenty interior technology and there is the Convenience Group, the Rear Seat Entertainment Group and the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package. 

In Series II there are upgrades like a suede headliner, digital rearview mirror, and a driver attention warning to name a few. This series can also include the Premium Group II with a cargo cover, front console cooling box and 23-speaker McIntosh sound system.

For Series III this is full-on luxury with all the features from the Convenience and Premium Group II package and even quilted leather upholstery added.  The Obsidian Trim package offered along with the Series III adds to the comfort with ventilated second-row seats, a blacked-out roof and wheels and a V8 engine option.

UNDER THE HOOD

The 2023 Grand Wagoneer boasts a 6.4-liter V8 engine, with 471 horsepower and 455 pound-ft of torque. With ample power for towing and conquering any terrain, take note too that the Grand Wagoneer’s Quadra-Trac II 4WD system ensures optimum traction and stability, and that means you can be confident no matter where you drive.

The different series and packages also offer different under the hood experiences depending on your choice but no matter you still get the eight-speed automatic transmission and the standard four-wheel drive. 

SAFETY FIRST 

Thinking of safety is key and this luxury 2023 Grand Wagoneer is a fortified luxury machine on wheels. All the advanced safety features are available if not standard, and equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Indeed, on the Grand Wagoneer safety is never compromised. Also worthy of mention is the night vision camera system for driving in low-light conditions, so no matter where you go or when, you can expect perfection.

ALONG FOR THE RIDE 

Overall, the 2023 Grand Wagoneer’s blend of opulence and off-road power is a hard one to beat. The seats are comfortable all around no matter the row you are sitting in and the cabin is well insulated to get rid of any pesky road noise. The Grand Wagoneer’s touch-sensitive controls take a minute to get used to, but after a while you’re a pro. With the promise of luxury meets off-road capability this SUV is ready and waiting to tackle it all. The Grand Wagoneer’s distinctive charm, off-road heritage, and compelling comforts are an excellent choice for drivers seeking a blend of opulence and the adventurous spirit only Jeep can offer.

Should You Need to Know: The 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series II and III are now turbocharged inline-six standard. 

Miles: The 2023 Grand Wagoneer gets 15 miles per gallon combined with 13 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway.

Cost: 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is going to put you back anywhere from $87,000 to $108,000.

Rita Cook is a member of Women’s World Car of the Year and Texas Motor Press Association. She is the co-host of ECP-TV and has published 10 books while covering a lifestyle, auto, travel, crime, and political beat for various newspapers and magazines. You can follow her at @ritatheroguewarrior on instagram and @ritacook13 on twitter.