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With the highly-anticipated Jeep® Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer (WS) on the way, there is a lot of people excited about the first true full-size SUV offered in the United States and Canada in decades. While there have been several oversized unibody-based offerings from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) like the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee, a full-size body-on-frame SUV has been absent from the lineup since the 1993 Dodge Ramcharger. There was a Dodge Ramcharger model offered in Mexico from 1999 to 2001, but it didn’t reach American or Canadian shores from the factory.
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Based on the fifth-generation Ram 1500 architecture, the upcoming Wagoneer is a true body-on-frame SUV. Unlike the Ram 1500, the Wagoneer will dump the solid rear axle (SRA) in favor of an all-new independent rear suspension (IRS). While traditional IRS setups usually have less towing capability than a conventional SRA setup, it does offer a better ride. With the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer being more of a luxury family-hauler, a softer ride is a necessity.
We expect that the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer lineup will share many of the Ram 1500’s powertrain options. For example, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque which delivers 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque has a maximum tow rating of 12,750 lbs. All of Ram’s pickup powertrains are offered with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, which should be standard in the WS twins as well.
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When it comes to full-size body-on-frame SUVs, the Ford Expedition has a max tow rating of 9,300 lbs. (9,200 lbs. with four-wheel drive). The extended length Expedition Max tops out around 9,000 lbs. when equipped with the maximum tow equipment as its short sibling. Ford’s Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package for the Expedition, includes a heavy-duty radiator, Pro Trailer Backup Assist™, 3.73 rear axle ratio, an electronic limited-slip differential, integrated trailer brake control, and two-speed automatic four-wheel-drive (4×4). Without the optional towing equipment, the Expedition and Expedition Max can only tow around 6,000 lbs.
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The second highest-rated SUV for towing is the 2021 Dodge Durango. The 2021 Dodge Durango R/T with the Tow N’ Go Package, Durango SRT392, and Durango SRT Hellcat all have the same 8,700 lbs. towing capacity with three different powertrains. The 2021 Dodge Durango R/T Tow N’ Go features the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with a power output of 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The Tow N’ Go Package adds big Brembo brakes, an SRT Active Damping Suspension, Limited Slip Differential, 3.09 rear axle ratio, SRT wheels, performance wheels, as well as a performance exhaust.
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Jeep officially said that when the production version of the Grand Wagoneer arrives next year, it will have “unmatched towing capability”. So if the Ford Expedition and the unibody-based Dodge Durango both within a few hundred of the 9,000 lb. towing rating, it wouldn’t surprise us by Jeep’s statement if the production version of the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer has a 10,000+ towing capacity when properly equipped. This would allow the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer to tow around a 26-foot travel trailer with gear and family loaded up in the vehicle.
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When Jeep showed off its Grand Wagoneer Concept, not much was talked about when it came to the powertrain. While the concept vehicle boasted an unknown plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, we can confirm that the Grand Wagoneer Concept did feature the famed Quadra-Drive® II 4×4 system and Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System with five drive modes (Rock, Sand/Mud, Auto, Snow, and Sport) from the Grand Cherokee. Quadra-Drive II features a rear electronic limited-slip differential and a full-time 4×4 system. Using an active electronic transfer case the system can send up to 100% of torque to the wheels that need it the most. The Grand Wagoneer Concept also the Quadra-Lift air suspension. Quadra-Lift features full-time four corner load leveling and can change the ride height of the vehicle with the push of a button. The system is a closed type air suspension design, that results in faster ride height changes.
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Jeep will host two available wheelbases just like the offerings from General Motors (GM) and Ford Motor Company. So you can expect the shorter of the wheelbases to have a higher towing capacity. We should know more in-depth details after the new year. But, nevertheless, the new Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer will provide something that FCA’s Ram lineup can’t… plenty of passenger room and lots of availability to haul their family toys.
To discuss everything surrounding the new Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer, be sure to check out our newly launched forum, WagoneerForums.org.