by Historical Context and Updates
Even before the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator appeared, the Grand Wagoneer was the undisputed leader. With such a heritage and Jeep’s focus on the premium market, Stellantis hoped for success by bringing the model back in 2021. However, expectations were not met, so the entire Wagoneer lineup was radically updated for 2026. As part of these changes, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer were merged into a single model, which features an updated design and a completely new powertrain with a range extender.
More Modern Design
The new look was introduced earlier this summer, and the 2026 Grand Wagoneer borrows heavily from the electric Wagoneer S. As part of the update, the model received a completely new front end with a minimalist seven-slot grille. It is illuminated and visually flows into the new headlights. Slightly lower is a more pronounced central air intake, flanked by new T-shaped LED daytime running lights. Additionally, the hood now features the Jeep logo instead of the Wagoneer script. The rest of the design is largely preserved, but new full-size LED taillights and a rear Jeep logo have appeared. The model also got rid of chrome, receiving updated wheels ranging from 18 to 22 inches in diameter.
Minor Interior Updates
Jeep barely mentioned the interior changes, but a new head-up display has appeared on higher trim levels. It has a significantly larger field of view and doubled the virtual image distance compared to previous versions. Furthermore, the Grand Wagoneer is equipped with a larger 12-inch Uconnect5 multimedia system, replacing the previous 10.1-inch display that was previously standard for the Wagoneer.
Completely New Powertrain with Range Extender
Under the hood is the familiar twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, Jeep seems to have abandoned the high-output version, which produced 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. The main news is a completely new version with a range extender, known as the Grand Wagoneer REEV. It borrows heavily from the Ram 1500 REV, previously called the Ramcharger, and has a 92 kWh battery pack, as well as a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that acts as a generator. It is expected to be the fastest and most powerful Grand Wagoneer in history, as the company estimates a combined output of 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. This should allow the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds and have a range of over 500 miles.
The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer will start production later this year, followed by the range-extender version. The latter will have limited availability, so expect more information closer to the start of sales. These changes could be key for Jeep in the battle for market share in the large luxury SUV segment, especially considering the growing competition from electric models and traditional rivals like the Cadillac Escalade. The introduction of range-extender technology allows combining the benefits of electric drive with a long range, which may interest buyers who are not yet ready to fully switch to electric vehicles.
