Choosing between two similar SUVs from different manufacturers can sometimes be a case of which style or badge you most identify with or feel a connection to.
If you are set on a Jeep though, you might find the choice between the Grand Cherokee L and the Wagoneer kind of confusing – they’re both large SUVs from the same carmaker with capability and luxury, and both have styling which looks… well, similar.
If you load them up in Jeep’s configurator, the entry price is different, so what are you getting for the more expensive Wagoneer; or will the Grand Cherokee suffice?
The Grand Cherokee L Is Cheaper But No Less Capable
Jeep’s Grand Cherokee L is the longer-wheelbase variant of the Cherokee and seems a more relevant comparison given that it’s A: larger and B: more expensive than the normal Grand Cherokee and closer to the Wagoneer in price alone.
With the Grand Cherokee L, prices range from $40,000 to $65,000 before any fees or extras, the Wagoneer in contrast has a $60,000 to $75,000 price range, so there is some overlap.
For the Grand Cherokee L, you get three rows of seats (one more row than the standard Grand Cherokee) and a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 295 hp, plus 18” wheels, with four-wheel-drive for $42,000.
The screen is 8.4”, but you get heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a power rear gate and more with the included Luxury Tech Group at $1200.
In contrast, the basic Wagoneer has space for 8 seats instead of the 7 in the Grand Cherokee L, plus a 5.7-liter V8 with 392 hp through 18” wheels with two-wheel drive.
Both cars come with an 8-speed, but the Wagoneer’s basic equipment is higher, as you would expect.
900 liters more cabin space in the Wagoneer accompanies features that the Grand Cherokee does not have, such as; a screen of 10” in size, a self-leveling rear suspension system, leather seats, an overhead storage console, 3 more gallons space in the fuel tank but not as much more than you would think taking into account the huge price difference between the two cars.
The Wagoneer Is Big, Powerful, And Good For Options
So, the Wagoneer: even if the entry-level model is $17,000 more, it doesn’t appear to contain a great many more options than the Grand Cherokee.
It doesn’t even have four-wheel drive as standard either, but it will have a more luxurious cabin with better quality materials and a slightly more ‘upmarket’ feel.
Where the cars differ, might be in some key areas for customers – a 5.7-liter V8 with a lot more power and torque might make all the difference (although the Wagoneer is heavier) and a 10,000 lb maximum towing weight against the Cherokee’s 6200 lb max tow weight could be enough to make the choice.
Add to that a stronger body shell and the extras you do get as standard, plus space for 8 people, then there could be multiple nails in the Cherokee’s coffin.
It’s worth remembering, that if your requirements don’t run that deep, you could still have a large, luxurious, and capable full-size SUV with the same image, for almost $20,000 less.
Plus, if you really want to spend the full $65,000 on either car, the one you end up with, in the end, will be a lot more loaded as a Cherokee L than a Wagoneer – which will still not have that 4x4 ability unless you pay for it.