Wagoneer & Grand Wagoneer Are Gorgeous–Just Don’t Call them ‘Jeeps’
Wagoneers aren’t just beautiful, they are also designed for incredible utility; partly why they don’t identify with their maker.
Since the reveal of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer concept last fall, Jeep fans have been eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the production-ready Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. That magical moment has finally happened, and now we can relive it through this very cool video from the automaker that does a great job of getting us ramped up for the brand new, luxurious, full-size, body-on-frame SUVs.
But there is a pretty glaring omission here–Jeep’s name is no where on these things. But why?
In a move that may prove polarizing in its own right, Stellantis CEO Christian Meunier explains the necessity for this rather odd decision, “The root of Jeep isn’t hidden but we believe there is a need to position it further with the more high-end Wagoneer. At the same time, it’s a combination of values that is a little different; it’s also adding tech, sophistication, and is an evolution from Jeep.”
Granted, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. During the FCA days, Dodge tried dropping its namesake for the Viper, and instead opted for “SRT Viper.” The result? Viper sales were affected, and FCA quickly reversed that decision in the following model years.
“Wagoneer is really a premium extension of the Jeep brand,” the narrator explains. “Obviously, it’s rooted in Jeep. Its authenticity is American heritage and it’s very important that we retain that. At the same time, we’re really getting more into a sophisticated, very premium world,” Meunier said.
The video then goes back to the very beginning and tells the story of the first Jeep Wagoneer, which was built way back in 1962 for the 1963 model year. Jeep credits the original Wagoneer for creating the SUV market, giving owners the capability of a four-wheel-drive Jeep with all the amenities and premium features that were, at the time, only available in more expensive passenger cars.
The Wagoneer went away in 1991, however, but now it has returned with that original spirit intact, albeit with a significantly more modern interpretation. “You can take a step back and look at things differently,” the video notes. “And that’s exactly what we did for Wagoneer.” The video then points out the many fine details present on the new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, explaining that their goal was to elicit a “wow” reaction from anyone who steps foot in it.
The video then goes on to explain how designers made everything both look fantastic and serve a functional purpose, including the steering wheel. That particular component was designed to feel good in your hands, but also with a section that can be used to rest your hand when the car is in auto cruise mode. Likewise, the passenger-side screen was also designed to engage the front seat passenger as somewhat of a co-pilot, allowing them to use the navigation system and change the entertainment source.
Despite the name drop, there are so many cool little details in the new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer that it can be difficult to find them all after just one examination. Thus, we’re thankful this video takes the time to point out some of the fine craftsmanship, stellar design, and thoughtful engineering that went into this amazing new platform.
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