The last decade has seen tremendous growth in all things SUV with some brands dropping traditional cars all together. Already all-utility all the time, Jeep too added models, but mostly small and mid-size designs. Now they’ve gone big family in a big way with the 3-row Grand Cherokee L and a full-size Wagoneer family. But it is the truly opulent 2022 Grand Wagoneer that aims to change the high end 3-row segment.

So, the Grand Wagoneer is not just a bigger Jeep, but a much more luxurious one as well; a “premium extension” of the Jeep brand. In fact, the entire Wagoneer family is being marketed as a new Jeep sub-brand.

Regardless, first and foremost, Grand Wagoneer remains a Jeep at heart and a truck down below. There are 3 different 4-wheel-drive systems available and a modified version of the Ram 1500’s full steel frame as its foundation. Of course, it looks all square and imposing, with a clear flavor to the original Wagoneer series, yet assuredly modern with the laser-etched treatment of Jeep’s iconic 7-slot grille.

The series includes both the premium Wagoneer, and our over-the-top luxurious Grand Wagoneer that we tested. The former competes with the Tahoe and Expedition, while the latter aimed at Escalade and Navigator.

Grand Wagoneers also distinguish themselves with a 2-tone black accent roof, unique hood, special LED lighting, fender flares, and power operating running boards.  Wheels are either 20 or 22-inchers.

   Full-size requires 3 rows of seats with up to 8-passenger capacity. But Jeep not only went big, they went really-big with class leading passenger volume and 3rd row headroom, and generous legroom for both 2nd and 3rd row occupants.

Behind the 3rd row you’ll find 27.4 cubic-ft. of cargo space, another class best, growing to 70.9 with it folded, and maxing out at 94.2 cubic-ft.

For better or worse, life today is all about screen time, and there’s up to 45-inches of it on display in Grand Wagoneer’s dash. The center stack gets 10 and 12-inch ones, plus there’s an optional one in front of whoever is riding shotgun, and a 12-inch one for the virtual gauges. Need to adjust the climate control in back?  Yeah, there’s a touchscreen for that too.

A big truck needs big truck power. For Jeep that still means a V8; their 392-horsepower 5.7-liter comes standard in the Wagoneer, while the Grand Wagoneer gets the 471-horsepower 6.4-liter V8.  Both with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Trailer tow rating comes in at a stout 10,000-lbs. for the Wagoneer; 150-lbs. less for the heavier Grand Wagoneer.

For our complete road test of the all-new Jeep Grand Wagoneer, be sure to catch MotorWeek episode #4118 that begins airing on PBS January 7, 2022. For a listing of the PBS public television stations that broadcast MotorWeek, go to motorweek.org and click the “About the Show” tab at the top. You can also watch weekly episodes of MotorWeek on our cable partner MAVTV with new episodes airing each Saturday at 7:30 PM. Check their entire schedule at MAVTV.com. MotorWeek can also be streamed in its entirety on PBS.org/MotorWeek, as well as on PBS Living, a part of Amazon Prime Video. The test of the new Nissan Frontier will also be available at motorweek.org and on youtube.com/motorweek.

With still high fuel prices and an unsure economy, it’s debatable whether this is a great time to be launching a whole new luxury-minded mega utility.  But, as of now, America’s appetite for large SUVs is still ravenous.  The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer may seem like a bold step from Jeep, but really, they’re just delivering what their customers have been demanding for years.