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This is a true full-size SUV, built to compete with the biggest names in the segment, not a midsize pretending to be one. And for a first model year, the Wagoneer feels surprisingly well thought out, especially from a family and car seat perspective.
Grand Wagoneer is basically the more premium, more powerful version of the Wagoneer. It steps up to a 6.4L V8 (471 hp), adds more standard luxury touches like power retractable side steps, and leans harder into high-end interior materials and comfort. You also get the “wow” tech upgrades like more total screen space and the available McIntosh 23-speaker, 1,375-watt audio system, plus more driver-assist features that are standard vs. optional on the regular Wagoneer.
- Car seat setup is legitimately strong: In the second row, every seating position has its own set of lower anchors, plus dedicated seat belts and tether anchors. In the third row, you get one set of lower anchors on the driver-side seat and tether anchors across the bench, so you have real options back there too.
- Car seat friendly third-row access: The second-row “Tip n’ Slide” power release makes it easier to get into the third row, and it’s designed to work even when a car seat is installed with the lower anchors (with the reminder that lower anchor weight limits still apply).
- Big, usable screens without feeling over the top: You’ve got a fully digital driver display and a super responsive center screen, plus the available passenger screen can do navigation, manage devices, run entertainment via HDMI or rear entertainment, and even show exterior cameras.
- Buttons + touchscreen for climate: I love that you can use the screen, but they still kept physical controls too. You’re not forced to dig through menus just to change the temperature.
- Storage and charging are dialed: Huge center console, a wireless charging spot you can close away, and a ton of connectivity up front (USB, USB-C, AUX, 12V). In the second row you’ve got outlets and more USB/USB-C too.
- This thing is built to tow and travel: Best-in-class towing up to 10,000 lbs and serious 4x4 capability with available Quadra-Trac/Quadra-Drive systems, Selec-Terrain, and available air suspension with up to 10 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording.
The Exterior
The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer has a big, confident presence. Up front you still get that classic seven-slot Jeep grille, but here it’s elevated with paint-over-chrome detailing, premium LED lighting, and a more sculpted hood that makes it feel noticeably more upscale. There’s also power retractable side steps that tuck away when not in use, which is a very Grand Wagoneer touch.
From the side, this is where opinions might come in. The U-shaped rear windows are a design choice I’m personally not obsessed with, but the two-tone black accent roof, larger wheel options, and wider fender flares give it a more premium, commanding stance that competes directly with vehicles like the Escalade, Yukon XL, and Navigator.
Around the back, the wraparound LED taillights and subtle chrome bar keep things clean, and the hands-free power liftgate adds everyday convenience. There’s no overhang to hide the rear wiper, so it can feel a little bare there, but overall the exterior feels cohesive, bold, and distinctly elevated from the standard Wagoneer. It’s big, it’s confident, and it clearly looks like the more premium version of the lineup.
First Row
The first row of the Grand Wagoneer feels big, comfortable, and very intentionally designed without feeling busy. Everything up front has a place, from your coffee to your phone to all the charging cords, and the controls are easy to use while you’re actually driving. It feels truly premium, but still practical for everyday use.
The seats are roomy, supportive, and noticeably elevated here. You get Palermo leather, detailed stitching, and even massage seats in the Grand Wagoneer. The driving position gives you a great view of the road, and the overall finishes up front feel more like a luxury SUV than a typical family hauler.
Screens That Actually Make Sense
You get a fully digital display, a large center screen, plus the added front passenger screen in the Grand Wagoneer. Climate controls live both on the screen and as physical buttons, which makes adjusting things while driving much easier.
Cupholders and Phone Storage Done Right
Two deep cupholders, a dedicated phone slot between them, and an extra phone shelf right next to it. Everything has a place, so you’re not balancing a coffee on top of your phone or digging around for where to set things.
Storage Everywhere You Need It
There’s a covered cubby with multiple USBs, USB-C, a 12V, wireless charging, and more ports than you’ll probably ever need. The center console is massive and can hold way more than you expect.
A Center Console That Feels Like a Table
The console sits high enough that it almost feels like a little desk. School pickup lunches, coffee stops, snacks on the go, this space actually works for how families use a car.
Steering Wheel and Controls Feel Intuitive
The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels great in your hands and all the important controls are easy to reach. Heated seats, ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, and all the comfort settings are simple to access without hunting through the screen.
Second Row
This is where the Wagoneer really shines. The bench seat gives you flexibility for three-across setups, and each seating position has its own set of lower anchors plus easy-to-access tether anchors, which is a huge win if you’re juggling multiple car seats. The seats also slide independently, so you can fine-tune spacing and make tricky installs much easier.
Car Seat Setup
Every seat back here is usable for car seats. You get:
- Three sets of lower anchors across the second row
- Three tether anchors directly behind each seat
- Enough width to comfortably fit multiple seats and still leave room to sit between them
The flat seat cushions and sliding seats make installs straightforward, and there’s plenty of legroom for rear-facing seats without pushing the front row too far forward.
Third Row Access
There’s a power button at the top of the seat that tilts and slides the bench forward, and it’s what I call a car-seat-friendly tilt. If you have a seat installed with lower anchors, you can often still access the third row without uninstalling it, which is a big deal for daily use with kids climbing in and out.
Amenities Back Here
You get:
- Climate controls for the second row
- Multiple USB and USB-C ports plus a 12V outlet
- Vents along the back of the center console
- Door storage and fold-down armrest cup holders
It’s comfortable, functional, and designed in a way that actually supports how families load and use the second row every day.
Third Row
The third row in the Wagoneer is not an afterthought. This is a true, usable space that adults can sit in comfortably, and kids can climb into without it feeling cramped.
You get:
- One set of lower anchors in the driver’s side seat
- Tether anchors across all three seating positions
- Three adjustable head restraints, including the middle seat
That middle head restraint is a big deal for safety and something a lot of large SUVs skip.
Space and Comfort
There is impressive legroom back here, even with the second row pushed pretty far back. The seats recline slightly, and the flat floor makes it easy for kids to get settled without climbing over awkward humps or plastic trim.
Amenities
Back here you’ll find:
- USB and USB-C ports
- Small cup holders on both sides
- Air vents for the third row passengers
It feels like a real row of seats, not just a place to put extra people when you have to.
Trunk
With the third row up, you still have enough depth to fit a full-size stroller without having to angle it or force it in. That is a big win in a three-row SUV that does not come in an extended length version.
With the Third Row Up
- Deep cargo well that easily fits a stroller
- Extra storage underneath the floor
- Flat load area that is easy to work with
With the Third Row Down
- The third row folds flat into the floor with very little effort
- Headrests come off easily, which matters for car seat setups
- Creates a large, open cargo space in seconds
It is simple, functional, and exactly what you want when you are loading strollers, groceries, sports gear, or all three at the same time.
Safety
The Wagoneer comes packed with advanced safety features, but what really stands out is how thoughtfully it’s set up for families and car seats.
You get seat belt pretensioners on the driver and front passenger seats, adjustable head restraints in all three rows including the middle seats, and strong car seat hardware with multiple lower anchor positions and tether anchors across the second and third rows. That alone puts it ahead of many other large SUVs when it comes to safely installing forward-facing and rear-facing seats.
On the tech side, the Wagoneer offers a full suite of driver-assist features designed to help you feel confident behind the wheel of a vehicle this size.
Safety Highlights
- Seat belt pretensioners on the driver and front passenger seats
- Adjustable head restraints in all three rows, including the middle seats
- Multiple lower anchor positions and tether anchors across the second and third rows for car seats
- Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection
- Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist
- Available Surround View Camera for easier maneuvering in tight spaces
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