From a Beloved Classic to a Brave New World: the 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Say what you will, Wagoneer lovers of the past – the new 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a taste of the good life on wheels. Past Jeep models of the Wagoneer have risen to iconic levels of near worship of the classic original SUV, so it stands to reason that a new version of a well-loved machine will be hard to swallow. Already rumblings in the ranks are taking swipes at the new design to suggest this bit and that bit don’t do the original justice, but Jeep has taken that classic shape and elevated it to the future of what it means to have your cake and eat it, too.

Of course, there are comparisons to the Range Rover, the Escalade, and even the Yukon. It was bound to happen when you choose to design a new luxury SUV in a space already occupied by several big fish. Despite that, Jeep hasn’t gone wild with obnoxious amounts of bling on the exterior – it’s built a rather clean-lined vehicle with a few extra fun details that say without any doubt that it costs a pretty penny to buy. What seems an intelligent choice on the part of Jeep’s designer was to save the best for the interior, where the true experience is fully appreciated.

The New Wagoneer Interior

Before even entering the vehicle, the quality of materials is evident upon opening the door. Every surface is carefully considered and laid out in a pleasing sweep from front to back. Heat-treated blackened lacewood, metal framing, silver piping on the seats and touchpoints, and a claim to recycled and sustainably-sourced materials all make up the sumptuous and even elegant style of the interior as a whole. While the current teasers show seating for seven with captain’s chairs in the second row and a bench seat in the third, there may be plans to reveal seating for more.

Moving into the front seat, lines in the dash and center stack create symmetry between the driver’s and passenger’s areas, both of which are dominated by multiple large screens set into the dash. Through the magic of the Uconnect 5 system’s screen sharing, screens on the backs of the front two seats are also connected to the front screens, allowing all the passengers to share directions, information, or entertainment. Wilder still, the screens in front can all adapt a single image to be united as a sort of larger picture, giving the screens an almost window-like quality.

These same screens in the driver’s area will display all the driver’s information while on the road, with the data needed for speed, fuel, trip data, and navigation, amongst many other features. When needed, the center stack can display climate control, in-vehicle apps, the audio system, and other settings for interior comfort, but this same information can also be brought up on the passenger’s screen if desired. A stunning 45 total inches of screen space is found in the front row, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 12.1-inch center stack, a 10.25-inch comfort display, and a 10.25-inch passenger seat display.

For an even more premium experience, the impressive number of screens can be complemented by an equally impressive 24-channel premium audio system from McIntosh. This is the first time that this renowned sound company has entered the automotive world, promising a truly exceptional experience. The planned level of driver-assistance technology has yet to be revealed, but given what we’ve seen so far, it is reasonable to assume that the Grand Wagoneer will impress us there as well.

Exterior Styling and Details

Here is where the cues from the past Wagoneer show a very temperate and mild hearkening to the shape of the now antique styling. Where the original Wagoneer was a wide-open glass box with a rectangular shape, the 2021 styling holds onto that simplicity in the lines, but the wide-open feel is shrouded with privacy glass in the rear. Now a single-pane glass roof opens the interior up to the world in a whole new way, allowing you to observe the sky as well as the horizon.

The front end still holds onto the somewhat boxy shape, with the forward-leaning brow of the original but a more modern roundedness above the headlights. An utterly fresh design for the grille dominates the appearance of the front end, with the added detail of the intelligent LED headlights. With these headlights, the driver will gain “180-degree lateral rotation” that automatically follows the lines of the road and is meant to light the way through curves. Front and rear ambient lighting give the 2021 Grand Wagoneer a glow that is somehow understated and yet elevated all at once.

Another nod to the classic Wagoneer can be seen in the wheel design, where 24-inch obsidian-finished aluminum wheels exhibit a class spoked effect. Four doors are still the means to access the interior seats, though the rear window D pillar has an updated shape that creates a sort of mirrored effect to the front window. It’s a detail some have not yet embraced, though a refined eye will notice the artistry in the shaping and appreciate the balance.

Finally, the rear of the 2021 Grand Wagoneer takes the familiar shape of the faux paneled back liftgate and creates a panel of attractive LED brake lights. A trapezoidal back window mimics that of the past Wagoneer as well, but with decidedly modern and slightly softened lines. Chrome accents around the lights, windows, and grille again offer up an homage to a legacy of love.

The Grand Wagoneer’s Capabilities

While the appearance and interior comfort certainly lean into the luxury bracket, make no mistake: the 2021 Grand Wagoneer has chops to conquer the wilderness exactly as a Jeep should. First, firmly centered in its messaging of sustainability, the Grand Wagoneer will have a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Exactly what this means remains to be seen, but given what Jeep has accomplished with its existing 4xe hybrid models, we expect that the performance will be impressive.

Behind the power of the Grand Wagoneer is the promise to be able to tow with “impressive” capability. It will also offer three different 4×4 systems, including the Quadra-Drive II with an active two-speed transfer case. Five driving modes can be accessed through the Selec-Terrain Traction Management System to allow for the driver’s management of road conditions. Finally, the independent air suspension utilizes air springs and can raise or lower the vehicle to accommodate rough terrain. There is no doubt that the new Grand Wagoneer is a true off-road machine.

The body-on-frame design of the new Grand Wagoneer means it will have serious heft to its capability, just like a Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator. As with other Jeeps, the Grand Wagoneer will most likely have a large number of trim levels and options to suit the desire for capability in differing terrain. Among those, we expect a Trailhawk trim with off-road upgrades such as skid plates, powerful brakes, and – in this modern age – 360-degree camera angles for optimum visibility in the wildest of places.

Production of the 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is expected to begin in 2021, with new models anticipated to be on dealership lots in the middle of the year. Price points are singularly in the luxury range, beginning at about $60,000 and ranging above $100,000 for the top trim. True to its history, however, the original Wagoneer was always a luxury SUV in its own right, and Jeep seems to want to continue that standard as it recreates a beloved classic. While there will no doubt be those who simply cannot let go of their love of the past, Jeep knows there will be those who are courageous at heart and willing to step into a brave new world with a new Jeep Grand Wagoneer. If you are among that crowd, then it is time to get ready for the new Jeep and start planning your visit to Orange Coast.