Last year, the Jeep® brand re-introduced the Wagoneer nameplate to the market not only as a trim-level for its premium full-size SUVs offerings but as a sub-brand. A lot of people, including ourselves, thought it was a strange idea to offer a premium sub-brand of one of the best-known global nameplates in the world. Especially one that already offers premium offerings elsewhere in its lineup.
Not every Jeep dealer is certified to sell Wagoneers, Wagoneer Certified Dealers are those who will deliver on the “10 Customer Promises”, as well as those who have the dedicated Wagoneer display area in the showroom and the new-vehicle delivery area. What are the 10 Customer Promises”?
- Dealers who earn a “Customer First” award for excellence by J.D. Power earn the chance to host Wagoneer customers
- A high-tech and efficient sales and service experience using tablets and full integration to digital communication
- Dealers will be staffed with many Certified Wagoneer Ambassadors. To become an Ambassador, a sales or service associate must take over 90 hours of training and pass certification exams to really understand the brand, the products, full feature sets, and use cases
- A full tank of gas at vehicle delivery
- The dealer will wash the vehicle inside and out at delivery and when serviced, and ensure all customer settings remain intact for radio, seats, temperature control, etc.
- Offer remote showroom, test drives and delivery for sales and vehicle pickup/delivery for service
- The dealer will provide an appropriate service loaner
- Provide convenient mobile, online, and in-vehicle service scheduling and communication and a proactive service approach, including remote diagnostics and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
- While in the showroom or service lounge, we will provide complimentary Wi-Fi and phone charging stations, as well as high-quality beverages and snacks
- Wagoneer Client Services, which includes 24/7 customer support and five years of worry-free maintenance
To us, it sounded a lot like Lincoln’s “Black Label” dealer program. However, we are now learning there is more in store for the premium Wagoneer brand.
According to our sources, another smaller Wagoneer vehicle will be added to the mix sometime in 2024 or 2025. That vehicle will be based on the next-generation Cherokee (KM) and while we don’t know specifics, we are told it will more than likely be built on the all-new STLA Large architecture.
The STLA Large architecture is an evolution of the current Giorgio architecture, which underpins vehicles like the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL). All of those vehicles have been rear-wheel-drive (RWD) based, however, the next-generation Cherokee should offer front-wheel-drive (FWD) as its basis. More than likely, we expect the smaller Wagoneer to feature all-wheel-drive (AWD) as standard equipment.
Knowing that the Jeep brand is continuing to push its electrification strategy across its lineup, we expect the smaller Wagoneer to be a full battery-electric vehicle (BEV) or offer some type of internal combustion engine (ICE) hybrid system.
It is still unknown if the new premium Wagoneer will offer two-row seating like the current Cherokee (KL) or be a three-row like the Chinese-market Grand Commander (K8). Being based on the Cherokee, it will more than likely be a D-segment SUV, and if offered in a third-row configuration, could replace the Grand Commander in China.
Nevertheless, we have a lot more unanswered questions about a future Wagoneer product. Could it help expand the Wagoneer nameplate globally? Only time can tell.
If you are a Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer owner or potential owner, be sure to check out our sister site WagoneerForums.org. There you can join over 1,200 owners of the new Wagoneer models, read the latest information, news, and rumors about the all-new Wagoneer, and even communicate with Wagoneer Client Services.
3 replies
Loading new replies...
Join the full discussion at the Mopar Insiders Forum →