The 2023 Jeep® Wagoneer (WS) equipped with the new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six-cylinder engine and Advanced All-Terrain Group, has been named FOUR WHEELER Magazine’s “2023 SUV of the Year”. It marks the brand’s second-consecutive win of the title, as the 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 392 (JL) won the award last year.
The FOUR WHEELER “SUV of the Year” competition is open to all new or significantly revised SUVs for the upcoming model year, which are then judged by the editors of the famed 4×4 enthusiast publication.
The FOUR WHEELER team then test various attributes of each vehicle including 0 to 60 mph and 1/4-mile acceleration, 60 to 0 mph braking distance, and on- and off-road evaluation in both the mountains and deserts of Southern California. Vehicles are subjected to a variety of off-road conditions, including sand, rocky trails, loose-surface trails, rutted backroads, loose dirt hill climbs, mud, snow, and ice. Night driving was also integrated into the competition to gauge the performance of each vehicle’s lighting equipment. According to FOUR WHEELER’s editors, the 2023 Wagoneer earned its place at this year’s competition.
“You might not look at the luxurious and plus-sized Wagoneer and realize all the capability that is lurking beneath its contemporary sheet metal, but it’s there,” said Sean P. Holman, FOUR WHEELER Content Director. “The big Wagoneer is going to get the family down the road in comfort and style and right past the trailhead. The traction control is exceptional, the suspension supple, and that new inline-six engine is a powerhouse of torque and refinement. We didn’t go into the test thinking the Wagoneer would win, but it earned every vote thanks to how well it did everything we asked of it.”
“FOUR WHEELER’s comprehensive 2023 SUV of the Year testing proved that Stellantis has eloquently achieved the elusive task of creating a full-size SUV that can dominate challenging terrain including rocky trails, mud, and snow,” said Ken Brubaker, Editor, FOUR WHEELER. “We found the Wagoneer’s Hurricane twin-turbo engine to be a powerhouse, the vehicle’s on-road manners are impeccable, and the fit and finish are superb. The Wagoneer demonstrated that it’s worthy of wearing the storied Wagoneer nameplate and the 2023 FOUR WHEELER SUV of the Year crown.”
“Historically speaking, the vehicle that wins FOUR WHEELER’s SUV of the Year is rarely the one that is expected at the onset. This has once again been proven to be the case with the 2023 Wagoneer sneaking in and taking the prize from the more outwardly off-road oriented competitors,” said Jason Gonderman, Editor, Truck Trend. “The Wagoneer combines a quiet and comfortable cabin with legendary off-road pedigree and the hardware to back it up. Opting for the company’s phenomenal new twin-turbocharged Hurricane engine makes the package truly irresistible.”
Judges included the full MotorTrend Truck & Off-Road Group staff, who have decades of experience working on various truck and 4×4 brands including FOUR WHEELER, 4-Wheel & Off-Road, JP, Diesel Power, and Truck Trend.
“The Jeep brand is built on more than 80 years of class-leading 4×4 capability, and the new Wagoneer expands that legendary capability to the large SUV segment,” said Jim Morrison, Senior Vice President and Head of Jeep North America. “To earn the prestigious title of Four Wheeler SUV of the Year for the second year in a row and the 18th time overall is a testament to our core values of delivering Freedom, Adventure, Authenticity, and Passion to our Jeep customers, and now our Wagoneer customers, by giving them the capability to truly go anywhere and do anything. The FOUR WHEELER ‘SUV of the Year’ test is unmatched, and we’re truly honored to be recognized by a team of avid and expert off-roaders who truly understand 4×4 capability.”
During its 50-year run of the award, the Jeep brand has taken home the title more than other manufacturer:
- 2023 Jeep Wagoneer (WS) with All-Terrain Group
- 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JL) Rubicon 392
- 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JL) Rubicon EcoDiesel
- 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (JL)
- 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (WK2)
- 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (KL)
- 2013 Jeep Wrangler Moab (JK)
- 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (JK)
- 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland (WK2)
- 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (JK)
- 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland (WJ)
- 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ)
- 1997 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
- 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
- 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
- 1986 Jeep Comanche (MJ)
- 1984 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
- 1974 Jeep Cherokee (SJ)
“FOUR WHEELER’s tests and staff have long been the industry’s benchmark for proving out 4×4 capability,” Morrison added. “And at the Jeep brand, we are honored to have the most FOUR WHEELER wins.”
Standard on Wagoneer Series II and Wagoneer Series III, the Hurricane twin-turbo engine sets the benchmark for power and efficiency in the large SUV segment with 420 horsepower and 468 lb.-ft. of torque. Additionally, the engine achieves its V8-rivaling performance while being up to 15% more efficient than larger engines. In fact, the Wagoneer’s Hurricane Twin Turbo engine achieves up to 24 mpg highway.
The Wagoneer lineup offers first-rate driving dynamics and composed 4×4 capability. Standard on all Wagoneer 4×4 models, the class-leading Selec-Terrain System provides up to five modes (auto, sport, rock, snow, sand/mud) and allows customers to choose the on- and off-road setting for optimum 4×4 performance. This feature electronically coordinates up to 12 different powertrains, braking, 4×4 torque split, and suspension systems, including throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, Hill-descent Control, and Selec-Speed Control.
The Advanced All Terrain Group, available on Wagoneer Series II, amplifies the vehicle’s legendary capability by adding aggressive off-road wheels and tires, a two-speed transfer case, a 3.92 rear axle ratio, chrome tow hooks, removable rear tow hooks, an electronic limited-slip differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension system, front suspension skid plate, fuel tank skid plate, transfer case skid plate, and Selec-Speed Control.
If you are an owner or a fan of the new Wagoneer models, be sure to check out our dedicated WagoneerForums.org website. There you can talk to other Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer owners, keep up with the latest news, and even communicate with Wagoneer Client Services.
