Jeep Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: What Are the Differences?

The Jeep Wagoneer and the more premium Grand Wagoneer returned for the 2022 model year after a 30-year hiatus. The two flavors of Jeep's full-size three-row SUV are positioned to compete against other large family haulers from Chevrolet, Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln, and even Land Rover. But how do the two Wagoneers compare to each other?

Both the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are the same size and have long-wheelbase versions. They also feature versions of the same powertrain and the same interior layout for seven or eight passengers. Think of them like Chevrolet's Tahoe and Cadillac's Escalade: mechanically and structurally the same, but one is higher-end and more expensive. Now let’s break down the key differences between the two big Jeeps so you can decide which is best for you.

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: Design

You won’t be blamed for thinking the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer and the 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer look the same from the outside. They share identical exterior dimensions, and both have U-shaped windows, roof racks, and raised nameplate lettering across the front, back, and sides. But the Grand Wagoneer has a more upscale-looking grille, wider use of chrome accents, a black-painted roof, copper-colored window tint, and more premium LED lighting that goes into a welcome animation upon remote start.

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: The Big Screen (or, the Big Screens—Plural)

The Grand Wagoneer is available with way more digital real estate than the Wagoneer, about 75 inches of maximum display area broken up into seven screens, all of which are standard on the top Series III trim. They include the driver's 12.3-inch cluster display, a 12.0-inch infotainment screen, 10.3-inch front passenger screen, two rear 10.1-inch screens for entertainment, and 10.3-inch screen interfaces in the first two rows for climate and seat adjustment.

The Wagoneer has only a 10.3-inch cluster and 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen standard, with the three other entertainment screens optional. Like the Grand Wagoneer, it’s also offered with a head-up display. This feature is standard on the Wagoneer Series III and via package on lower trims.

Related: The Best SUVs With TVs

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: Turbo Inline-Six Takeover

Each full-size SUV launched with a different V-8 under its hood, but the following model year Jeep phased them out in favor of a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six. Dubbed the Hurricane, this engine comes with different outputs depending on model. In the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer, it’s tuned to develop 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque, improving on the 392 hp and 404 lb-ft made before with a 5.7-liter non-turbo V-8 mild hybrid. Wagoneers with this powertrain can tow up to 10,000 pounds and reach 60 mph from a stop in 5.4 seconds.

Move up to the 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and the so-called “510” high-output powertrain makes (you guessed it) 510 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, considerably more than the 471 hp and 455 lb-ft generated by the model’s previous 6.4-liter V-8. Towing capacity is a little less for Grand Wagoneers: 9,810 pounds. But we launched a long-wheelbase model to 60 mph in a slightly swifter 5.0 seconds.

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: Suspension and 4x4 Systems

The Wagoneer is a body-on-frame SUV with rear-wheel drive standard and three 4x4 systems on offer. It has a standard steel coil-spring suspension that holds the SUV 8.3 inches above the ground, up from 8.0 inches previously. Opt for the Quadra-Lift air suspension, and that ground clearance swells to up to 10.0 inches.

The Grand Wagoneer has four-wheel drive standard, as well as the Quadra-Lift suspension, which also can lower the vehicle to get in and out, or for better aerodynamics on the road. Aside from the 4WD and suspension differences, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are essentially the same body-on-frame SUV underneath.

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: Wheels

The Wagoneer base model is now standard with 18-inch wheels—it used to be 20s. There are optional 18-inch off-road wheels and tires or flashier 22s. The Grand Wagoneer models have standard 20- or 22-inch aluminum wheels with four different finishes. The Grand Wagoneer Obsidian model comes with 22-inch polished wheels with black inserts.

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: Materials

There is more than a $25,000 price difference between the two Wagoneer models. This means the leather in the Grand Wagoneer is more supple and durable, while the trim is more expensive.

And then there is the wood conversation. The Grand Wagoneer has American walnut on the dash, doors, and center console. There’s no wood inside the Wagoneer, and neither has any woodgrain on its exterior, as did the original models back in the day. Stitching patterns run horizontally across the Wagoneer but vertically up the leather dash of the Grand Wagoneer.

Blackout Models: Wagoneer Carbide, Grand Wagoneer Obsidian

So-called blackout models—or vehicles that come with a darker cosmetic theme—are popular, and each lineup offers its own version. The Wagoneer Carbide (named after the hard material created by carbon and heavy metals) is a package offered for the midgrade Series II trim level. It includes a panoramic sunroof and adjustable roof rail crossbars. Specifically “blacked out” bits are 20-inch gloss black wheels, Piano black exterior accents, and black interior trim.

The Grand Wagoneer lineup offers two Obsidian models, named after the black glass formed from molten lava. An Obsidian trim level sits above the entry-level model, while at the top of the trim walk an Obsidian package can be added to the Series III. Both feature roof crossbars like the Wagoneer Carbide but Onyx instead of piano black accents. Also included are a front console cooler and passenger touchscreen, ventilated rear seats, gloss black exterior window moldings, and 22-inch wheels.

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: Audio Systems

The Grand Wagoneer introduced for the first time a McIntosh stereo in a vehicle, with 950 watts and 23 speakers, plus the ability to watch digitized receiver status needles dance on the infotainment screen. There are now two high-end McIntosh systems available for the Grand Wagoneer. The less powerful setup boasts 950 watts like before but 19 speakers with a 10-inch subwoofer, and it’s standard in the base model and Obsidian. The upgrade offers a harder-hitting 1,375 watts and 23 speakers with a 12-inch sub, and it’s standard in the Series III.

Meanwhile, the base stereo in the Wagoneer is an Alpine-branded system with 10 speakers. Customers can opt for the lower-watt, 19-speaker McIntosh system but it’s only offered for the Series III.

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: Comfort and Seating

The Wagoneer features a three-zone climate control system; Grand Wagoneers get a four-zone HVAC system with touchscreen controls in the first two rows.

Wagoneer has Capri and Nappa leather-trimmed, 12-way power seats, and the Grand Wagoneer one-ups it with supple Palermo leather on the top trims for its 24-way adjustable front seats (it also ditches the Capri leather). Second-row captain's chairs are standard on Grand Wagoneer and are optional on Wagoneer’s higher trims.

Long Wheelbase, More Cargo Space

Jeep introduced long-wheelbase versions of both SUVs for 2023, which offer more cargo volume than standard models. Standard capacity (behind the third row) in the Wagoneer goes from 27.4 to 42.1 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase variant. Maximum capacity grows 14.2 cubes to 130.9 cubic feet.

In the Grand Wagoneer, standard cargo volume increases from 28.4 to 44.2 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase model. Max capacity also improves, from 96.9 cubes in the standard-wheelbase model to 112.9 in the long-wheelbase model.

Wagoneer vs. Grand Wagoneer: Price

The Wagoneer is the more affordable of the two large three-row SUVs, starting at around $65,000 for the base rear-wheel-drive model. The Series II starts at around $71,000, and that goes up to more than $74,500 with the Carbide package. The Series III runs over $87,500 and can be optioned up to more than $96,000. Long-wheelbase models come with a $3,000 premium.

The Grand Wagoneer starts at almost $94,000. The Grand Wagoneer Obsidian is around $106,500 and the Series III starts at about $116,000. That price increases to approximately $122,000 fully loaded.