Manoli Katakis 
There’s a lot of separating the wheat from the chaff when it comes to figuring out the details of the upcoming three-row SUV from Jeep, said to be called the Wagoneer. Also expected is the Grand Wagoneer, which is expected to approach near Range Rover levels of luxury. The flagship SUV aims to elevate the Jeep brand to uncharted territory, offering size and refinement that has yet to be seen from the quintessential American SUV marque. We here at MC&T have done our best to compile all of the necessary details that are expected of the 2021 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, otherwise known as the WS program.
How Big Will It Be?
Sources tell us that the 2021 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will rival the full size stature of segment leaders such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, but will deliver a far more off-road oriented package that the Jeep brand is known for. It will be based on the Ram DT or even the DU full size body on frame truck platform.
How Expensive Will It Be?
Out of the gate, don’t expect the 2021 Jeep Wagoneer to rival the MSRP of, say, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. But it will likely start around a loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit – about $60,000. In other words, the Grand Wagoneer could have all of the off-road potency of the formidable Toyota Land Cruiser, for a fraction of the price. However, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is rumored to exceed a six figure price tag, as it looks to spar with the prestigious Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Range Rover, and Lexus LX.
Who Is It For?
Jeep has its sights set on the premium end of the SUV market when it comes to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. We can see buyers coming in from primarily American brands, such as Chevrolet Suburban, and GMC Yukon more than we can see Land Rover or Lexus drivers entering the fold. On an aspirational level, Jeep could conquest Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator owners, as well.
What Will It Look Like?
The massive full-size SUV will carry a lot of visual weight, coupled with rugged looks that Jeep is known for. However, any further description of the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer would be speculation at this point. Pictured is the three-row Jeep Grand Commander, for the Chinese market.
Why The Grand Wagoneer Name?
While we personally would like the see the “Commander” name to fit this vehicle, we understand why Jeep would want to dust off the Grand Wagoneer name. In Jeep’s official 2018-2022 roadmap that’s been laid out by FCA, the outline mentions “the return of storied nameplates” before mentioning the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer names.
What’s Under The Hood?
As is par for course in the segment, expect the 2021 Jeep Wagoneer to start with a baseline V8. In this case, the 5.7L Eagle V8 engine paired to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Expect the 6.4L Apache V8 engine to be the uplevel powertrain beyond that. It’s currently unknown of FCA is planning a Hellcat version of this new Jeep, but then again, why wouldn’t they? Lastly, there will be a plug-in hybrid offering in an attempt to appease anti-ICE policymakers.
When Will It Be For Sale?
Sources claim that assembly for the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will begin in Q1 2020, which means it’s right around the corner. FCA also has officially charted the necessary retooling required for their production to be completed by 2020.
Where Will It Be Built?
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer will be built alongside the Ram 1500 in Warren, Michigan. While it’s been rumored that the WS program will see its final assembly at the Mack Avenue plant in Detroit, but we have come to understand that the Mack plant is to be reserved for the next-generation WL Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as the smaller Cherokee.
On Feb. 26, 2019, FCA confirmed that it has increased its budget set aside for the Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer and Gladiator (built in Toledo) from $1 billion $1.5 billion and include tooling to produce electrified versions of the upcoming fullsize SUV products. It is expected that 1,400 new jobs will be added. With this announcement, production of the all-new Ram Heavy Duty is expected to stay at its current location in Saltillo, Mexico, rather than move from Mexico to Michigan.
