About Face: Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer Will Be Separate Models, FCA Claims

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Language is everything. Comments by Jeep brand chief Mike Manley published earlier this week implied that the upcoming Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer would be upscale versions of the Grand Cherokee, but that’s no longer the case.

The two models will share the same architecture as the next-generation Grand Cherokee, which bows in late 2018 or 2019, but it’s now confirmed that they’ll be standalone models — not upscale trim levels.

An editor’s note posted to the Automotive News source story clarifies Manley’s comments. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles assures Jeep aficionados that the two models, which resurrect the name of the revered SUV built from 1963 to 1991, will be slotted above the Grand Cherokee in the automaker’s lineup.

Jeep is a huge revenue generator for FCA, with monthly U.S. sales peaking above 90,000 units in May. The brand’s sales tally has essentially doubled in the past four years, and FCA wants to keep up that momentum. That means bringing Jeep to emerging high-growth markets and fleshing out its lineup at home.

The Wagoneer and range-topping Grand Wagoneer are meant to capture sales from the premium SUV market, dominated not just by German and Japanese luxury marques, but Cadillac, Lincoln, and Land Rover, too. So, expect piles of luxury when the models arrive after their platform mate’s debut.

Bringing back the storied nameplates was a no-brainer, with Manley telling Automotive News, “The Wagoneer name represents, historically, the pinnacle of premium for the Jeep world.”

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Anti121hero Anti121hero on Jul 08, 2016

    In all technicality, those zj grand Cherokee wagoneers we were making fun of in the the other article are actually considered completely different models than the non woodgrain grand Cherokees by the dealerships and parts stores and insurance companies

  • 65corvair 65corvair on Jul 08, 2016

    It should be based on the full size Ram pickup. Needs to have a hood scoop. It needs to be bigger than the Grand Cherokee. Toyota reliability would help.

  • While the romantic couple in faded denim gazes across the lake, some backpacker is stealing the suitcase from their Jeep.

  • AJ AJ on Jul 13, 2016

    Jeep has to do it right, or it's just going to be another short life Commander that just took sales away from the Grand Cherokee. I'll also add that I loved the original Wagoneer. IMHO, it's one of the most beautiful SUVs ever created, and why it's such a classic.

    • JimZ JimZ on Jul 13, 2016

      the problem with the Commander is that it was a piece of junk.

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