The Jeep Grand Wagoneer has already established itself as a solid alternative to the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator in the luxury full-sized SUV space. The unique styling and upscale interior have been popular with customers shopping in this luxury segment, and sales have been relatively strong for the brand, which is best known for the rugged Wrangler SUV. For 2023, Jeep has given the Grand Wagoneer the new “Hurricane” engine to make it even more competitive in the segment.
New for 2023, and replacing the 471-horsepower 6.4-liter V8 is the Grand Wagoneer Series III’s “Hurricane” twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6-cylinder engine. The ” Hurricane ” high-output version is standard on the Grand Wagoneer Series II and Series III and makes a very healthy 510 horsepower and 500lb-ft of torque. The V8 is still the standard engine in Series I. The “Hurricane” is rated at 14/20/17 mpg by the EPA in city/highway/combined driving, respectively.
Driving the Grand Wagoneer is a highly comfortable experience. While the outside proportions are massive, the cabin feels inviting and cozy. The air suspension does an excellent job of keeping the Grand Wagoneer’s ride smooth, even on the roughest roads. The Grand Wagoneer is stable and quiet at Texas highway speeds, which can reach 80mph+.
The interior build quality of the Grand Wagoneer is exceptional, and there isn’t a single hint of rattles or creaks while out on the highway with all the audio turned off. Even with with the fantastic McIntosh audio system turned up and blasting Rope by the Foo Fighters, there isn’t a single bit of distortion or vibration coming from the interior panels.
In the cargo and space department, the Grand Wagoneer surpasses the competition. The standard wheelbase Grand Wagoneer is 4 inches longer than the GM and Ford full-size SUVs, which means more room in the third row for passengers and cargo space behind the third row. The Grand Wagoneer has the most comfortable third row I’ve experienced in a domestic full-size SUV.
Second row passengers are equally comfortable, thanks to Captain’s Chair seating, individual climate control zones with heated and cooled seats, and individual entertainment featuring Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, and YouTube at each seat. Each passenger can plug their own media source into the HDMI ports and enjoy personal entertainment using the included wireless headphones.
Final Thoughts
The 2023 Grand Wagoneer’s new “Hurricane” powertrain further elevates the luxury experience. While I enjoyed the V8, the new twin-turbo six-cylinder engine is better suited to the Grand Wagoneer’s premium persona. This is an excellent engine, and I can’t wait for it to trickle down to the rest of Jeep’s lineup.
