Wagoneer becomes a premium brand

Some great pickups and a variety of Durango SUV models are in the Ram and Dodge lineups, respectively, for 2022, and there is a new premium SUV brand that arrived this year, called Wagoneer.

Wagoneer is a spin-off from Jeep, and includes two models: the Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer. Neither of these big SUVs is considered part of the Jeep brand, however, even though their names were previously used on big Jeep SUVs for decades.

Ram offers the pickups, which include the regular 1500 models and the Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 models, including Cummins diesel engine options.

2022 Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer

For 2022, there are two versions of this seven- or eightpassenger The former Chrysler Corp.’s successor, Stellantis, has created a new premium sport-utility brand for 2022, reviving the name of a long-revered Jeep SUV known as the Wagoneer.

For 2022, there are two versions of this seven- or eight-passenger SUV: the Wagoneer, starting at $57,995 (plus $2,000 freight) for the Series I entry-level model with rear-wheel drive; and $86,995 for the Grand Wagoneer Series I with four-wheel drive.

These big family haulers are being promoted as “a premium extension of the Jeep brand,” but will not have the Jeep name on them, and will not be listed as Jeep products – similar to the way the former Chrysler Corp. split the Ram pickup away from the Dodge brand.

The least-expensive four-wheel-drive Wagoneer is the Series II model at $70,995 (available in rear-wheel drive at $67,995).

The Series I model is offered in two-wheel drive only. There is a Wagoneer Series III that begins at $72,995 for the rear-drive model, and $75,995 for the four-wheel drive.

Stepping up to more luxury, there is the Grand Wagoneer, which comes only with fourwheel drive.

The Series II model begins at $93,995, and the Series III at $103,995. Between the Series II and III models is the Grand Wagoneer Obsidian, starting at $98,995.

Built on the chassis of the Ram 1500 pickup, the Wagoneer comes with a 5.7-liter V-8 with 392 horsepower and 404 foot-pounds of torque, and the Grand Wagoneer with a 6.4-liter V-8 engine delivering 471 horsepower and 455 foot-pounds of torque.

Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There are three available 4x4 systems, and best-in-class towing capability of up to 10,000 pounds.

Interiors are premium for the Wagoneer and limousine-like luxury for the Grand Wagoneer.