What Does The Jeep Grand Wagoneer NEED To Topple The Escalade And Range Rover?

Over the past 12 or so months there's been a lot of chatter bubbling up about an upcoming Jeep flagship. Rumored to be called the Grand Wagoneer, it would be a super luxury sport-utility vehicle with seating for seven.

With the all-new Lincoln Navigator starting to move units and the upcoming BMW X7 on the way, it looks like everyone is joining the seven-seat party. Why wouldn't Jeep want to give it a shot?

According to Jeep's head honcho, it will be a significant step up from the Grand Cherokee. This echoes earlier rumors that the Grand Wagoneer will be priced quite high. 

If you ask us it sounds like the Grand Wagoneer will be looking to take a bite out of the Cadillac Escalade's market share. As the soccer mom vehicle of choice, there's a reason why General Motors should be looking over its shoulder. In addition, there's the Land Rover Range Rover, which is seemingly every females' dream car. 

Having said that, what does the Grand Wagoneer NEED to SUCCEED against these two VERY strong players?

Let us know in the comments below.

...“Grand Wagoneer [due in 2020] will be super premium”, he confidently states at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. “We’ve been working on it for several years. It has a long gestation period, and will be clearly positioned significantly above Grand Cherokee.”

“But I wouldn’t say I don’t want to develop the B-and C-SUV segments. And I believe there is an opportunity to do an A-segment SUV, something smaller than Renegade. I see the signs and think that market will continue to develop..."

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MDarringer - 3/13/2018 8:21:19 AM

-1 Boost

Going after the Escalade and the Range Rover--two vastly different sets of SUV buyers--is admirable, if misguided.

From the reports I've seen, this is just a Ram "Tahoe", so it will definitely lack the sophistication needed to go after the Range Rover.

It will definitely need IRS and not a live axle.

But more importantly it should be priced as the next step up from a Grand Cherokee which has a base around $32K, so this should start at $40K.

An even better question, why not do something more mainstream and affordable that will attract volume. The Grand Wagoneer will have profit built in--of course--but its volume will not be significant which blunts the big profit.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 3/13/2018 11:33:18 AM

+2 Boost

@MD I see it priced above or at where the Trailhawk is priced. It will be the top tier. I should be priced at a figure more than the Summit V8 or Diesel. But the SUV that attracts a Range Rover buyer is not the same SUV that would make an Escalade buyer look twice. I don't believe these two SUV's are cross-shopped. It will be interesting to see how Jeep addresses this market.

MDarringer - 3/13/2018 7:44:50 PM

0 Boost

@Canadiancomments I predict this will be a cataclysmic failure.

malba2367 - 3/13/2018 9:00:28 AM

+1 Boost

There will probably be a ram version that is less luxurious and omits the off road hardware the Jeep and will come in at a lower price point. By lower I would anticipate in the low $50k range which is where suburban/Yukon xl start.

Vette71 - 3/13/2018 10:49:55 AM

0 Boost

It has been rumored on FCA related sites that there are two Wagoneers. The uber Grand Wagoneer as mentioned as well as a plain Wagoneer. RAM has been set up as a global truck brand and not one for passenger vehicles. Hence the Durango stayed with Dodge.

mre30 - 3/13/2018 9:13:15 AM

+1 Boost

It has baffled me as to why they never did a "Jeep Durango" - the platform is so good and the Durango is sized just right for most people.

It if is Ram-based, it will molt on the dealer lots. IMO Ram is not competitive with Ford's and Chevy's offerings except for the die-hard MOPAR folks.

MDarringer - 3/13/2018 7:46:45 PM

-1 Boost

They WERE planning a Jeep Durango, but the "Mercedes" platform under the Durango and the Grand Cherokee is being axed. Supposedly the Grand Cherokee is moving to Giorgio. The Grand Wagoneer was designed on the Mercedes platform and then at the 11th hour, the decision was made to do use the recycled Ram chassis.

carloslassiter - 3/13/2018 9:18:01 AM

+1 Boost

What Does The Jeep Grand Wagoneer NEED To Topple The Escalade And Range Rover?
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Little skinny headlights that throw away a half-century+ of heritage and make it look like a Fiat?

PUGPROUD - 3/13/2018 10:34:31 AM

+1 Boost

Size, style, great interior and go anywhere Jeep capability. Lets face it...buyers in this category want size and looks or they will not give it a second thought. If it passes that hurdle then the interior and performance will close the deal or not.

TomM - 3/13/2018 5:19:32 PM

+2 Boost

Sorry - but it depends on what you mean by eclipsing the Cadillac And Rover-
If all you are talking about is sales - certainly if they price it low enough it will sell in greater numbers - BUT - it is NOT a Luxury premium product - it is a JEEP.

skytop - 3/13/2018 7:48:42 PM

-1 Boost

It needs not to look like a 12 year old Jeep Cherokee.

bw5011 - 3/14/2018 4:50:20 AM

+2 Boost

It needs wood panels.... LMAO...

deaHelkcunK - 3/14/2018 5:09:48 PM

+1 Boost

It will need to be made by someone else.