The all-new 2022 Jeep® Grand Wagoneer (WS) continues to rack up the awards, with its latest win coming from Wards Auto. Thanks to its luxurious, spacious, and technologically advanced interior, it has been named one of Wards 10-Best Interiors & UX for 2022.
Interior –
While the original Grand Wagoneer famously featured extensive use of wood on its exterior, the 2022 Grand Wagoneer features genuine handcrafted Satin American Walnut wood in abundance on the interior. Sculpted Satin American Walnut wood was chosen both for its elegance and durability. Once seen primarily on yachts and in the most extravagant estates, sculpted Satin American Walnut wood is now a premium material. This is one of the many examples of how the Wagoneer design team was able to create a new chapter of the original Grand Wagoneer’s story in a modern way.
The Piano Black mid-bolster appears to float above a structural wing crafted from aluminum and cradles the sculpted Satin American Walnut wood with “Grand Wagoneer” inlaid in metal on the passenger side of the instrument panel. Aluminum was also chosen as a key material for creating the door speakers and vent surroundings. Formed aluminum trim with an embossed pattern is available on Grand Wagoneer as well and underlines the passenger screen. The center console emerges from under the structural aluminum wing and flows out of the lower panel, adding a fluid design element to the spacious cabin. An aluminum shift knob, featuring an ambient glow, sits at the base of the center console and is flanked by toggle switches that control Selec-Terrain and ride height systems.
The start button is surrounded by a knurl-patterned bezel and, on Grand Wagoneer models, is wrapped in leather with a French accent stitch, presenting itself atop the carved wood or metal trim. An available class-exclusive touchpad-controlled safe allows for secure storage underneath the split front armrest. A storage bin is standard and a cooled storage bin is also available.
Sleek inboard and outboard HVAC vents are surrounded by a liquid chrome bezel for a precise and premium and robust appearance with full functionality. Wagoneer features a three-zone Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, while Grand Wagoneer features a four-zone HVAC system with a 10.25-inch articulating front comfort display and a 10.25-inch fixed rear comfort screen.
Grand Wagoneer Series I models offer premium Nappa leather-trimmed seats as standard equipment while Grand Wagoneer Series II and Series III models offer an even more opulent Palermo leather-trimmed seating option with quilting and leather-wrapped instrument panel, consoles, and door panels with accent stitching. Grand Wagoneer comes with 24-way power front seats, including memory settings and massage, power lumbar support, and four-way powered headrests. Passenger memory seats are also standard on Grand Wagoneer. Other modern-yet-familiar options include first- and second-row heated/ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, memory steering column, and adjustable pedals.
Seating for up to eight passengers is available on all models and features a spacious third row – a first for the nameplate. Front- and second-row captain’s chairs – another first-time offering – are standard on Grand Wagoneer.
The most spacious and luxurious Grand Wagoneer interior ever offers best-in-class overall passenger volume, total volume (passengers and cargo behind the third row), unsurpassed second- and best-in-class third-row headroom, and legroom, and the most cargo volume behind the third row. Getting to the third row is made easier by the second-row seat’s power release Tip n’ Slide function, which creates more space for passengers to get to their seats. Configuring the third row for passengers or cargo is easy, as the seat can both recline and fold flat.
Opening the Grand Wagoneer’s driver- and front-passenger side doors reveal the outer edge of the instrument panel, which features an inscription — EST. 1963 — paying homage to the first model year of the original Wagoneer.
Modern, technical, and detail-oriented appointments are crafted to exemplify American quality and personify prestige, success, and accomplishment. A unified focus on integrated opulence and technology delivers an innovative experience for each passenger.
The relaxed atmosphere of the interior — accentuated by the use of five customizable ambient lighting themes, proximity entry/exit lighting, and interior-mounted LED door puddle lamps — is delivered through a timeless design combined with the soul of Americana that will continue to solidify Grand Wagoneer’s iconic place in history.
“The sheer artistry of the Jeep brand’s lavish new interiors is breathtaking,” said Wards Editor, Drew Winter. “The Grand Wagoneer easily earns its way into the six-figure SUV club on the power of its interior design.”
User Experience (UX) –
The most technologically advanced Grand Wagoneer ever features next-generation innovations, including the new advanced Uconnect 5 system, digital rearview mirror, exclusive Rear Seat Monitoring Camera, head-up display, frameless digital cluster, and a premium McIntosh audio system for a vehicle.
Passengers will be easily able to stay connected while on the go. Functionality is enhanced for front-row passengers with an available wireless charging pad and connectivity ports that are sculpted for quick recognition. In addition to wireless charging, Grand Wagoner features up to 11 USB ports (with Rear Seat Entertainment, 8 USB ports without), 3 in the front row (four with passenger display) plus standard dual USB Type-C ports that allow devices to charge up to four times faster, three in the second row (5 when equipped with Rear Seat Entertainment) and 2 in the third row.
Grand Wagoneer is available with up to 75 inches of total digital display screen area. Nearly 45 inches of total screen spanning the length of the instrument panel: 12.3-inch instrument cluster on Grand Wagoneer, a 12-inch horizontal touchscreen serves as the main display screen in the center console, with a 10.25-inch horizontal comfort display touchscreen below, separated by the structural aluminum wing. When equipped with the optional Rear Seat Entertainment System, the cluster, radio, and passenger screens all show a coordinated animation display upon vehicle start-up.
Additionally, an available 10.25-inch passenger screen provides the front passenger with dynamic touchscreen control at their fingertips. The passenger screen has four major functions: Co-Pilot (navigation, device management), entertainment (via HDMI or Rear Seat Entertainment control), Fire TV for Auto, and the ability to view the exterior vehicle cameras. Passenger screens in both the front and rear feature an HDMI plug, which lets occupants connect their phone or tablet, turning the touchscreen into a mirrored extension of their device, allowing internet searches, music, and app use to project through the Uconnect 5 system.
Second-row passengers in the Grand Wagoneer have 30 inches of total screen space at their disposal with a 10.25-inch comfort display screen housed on the center console located between the two captain’s chairs. Each second-row passenger also has access to their own 10.1-inch entertainment touchscreen with the available Rear Seat Entertainment System, which features independent streaming capabilities from major content providers.
Passengers can now enjoy the first Fire TV for Auto integration, featuring touchscreen displays, Alexa, and access to hundreds of thousands of movies, TV shows, and apps. Passengers can watch their favorite shows independently while listening through headphones, or the whole family can tune in through the vehicle’s audio system. With built-in Fire TV for Auto, parents also have access to Amazon Kids+ for a worry-free experience that ensures younger passengers enjoy age-appropriate content.
A Fire TV for Auto-specific remote works on all screens to provide control of the experience and includes push-to-talk access to Alexa, making it easy to find and quickly play shows. The remote includes a button that connects Fire TV for Auto with the new Uconnect 5 system for control of vehicle features, such as climate, maps, and more.
When equipped with the front passenger display, Relax Mode is available while the vehicle is in the park position and offers occupants an immersive experience by combining dramatic, multi-screen visuals with ambient lighting across the entire cockpit. There are five videos to choose from and each is inspired by natural wonders or phenomenon.
“With first-rate, sophisticated materials, such as Blue Agave leather and textured metal trim, plus loads of tech features, including seven stunning high-res screens and an industry-first integration of Amazon Fire TV, the most luxurious Jeep yet is a unanimous choice for a 2022 Wards 10-Best Interiors & UX award,” said Wards Editor Christie Schweinsberg.
“The original Grand Wagoneer was the first premium SUV in the market, and this double honor from Wards — for both the best interior and the best user experience — is strong validation that the all-new Grand Wagoneer delivers on its promise of being the most premium SUV, again,” said Jim Morrison, Senior Vice President and Head of Jeep North America. “Designed by the same teams that created the Wards award-winning interior and user experience in the all-new Grand Cherokee L, the new Grand Wagoneer interior is the most luxurious and user-friendly in its segment, offering premium features such as available Amazon Fire TV Built-in and exclusive McIntosh audio.”
Source: Jeep
