2023 Jeep Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L First Drive

Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer benefit from more interior space and Hurricane Twin Turbo power.

Last month, the Jeep brand hosted a media drive event in Bozeman, Montana, where we got to drive the 2023 Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L. While the focus was technically on the new, longer SUVs, the star of this show was the new Hurricane Twin Turbo inline-six engines. This engine family will be used in several models, but it is making its introduction in the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, so this was our first chance to experience the new engine family.

While it is not a popular decision by the company, the Hurricane Twin Turbo and Hurricane Twin Turbo 510 are being introduced to effectively replace the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engines.

Right now, they are only offered in the Wagoneer lineup but in the near future, we expect to see these engines in the Ram and Dodge lineups. In other words, these engines have some mighty big shoes to fill, stepping in to replace the Hemi V8 as the volume engines.

More Spacious Interior

The difference between the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer when compared to the 2023 Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L is that the “L” models are 12 inches longer, with 7 of those inches being located between the axles. This longer body leads to more passenger space in the second and third rows, more cargo space with the seats up or down and larger rear door openings.

While the standard wheelbase models already offer a ton of space for passengers and cargo, the L adds a significant amount of space in every area behind the driver’s seat, with the most noticeable changing coming to the third row. The extra length leads to more leg room and it is easier to access, thanks to the larger openings.

The front seating area of the Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L doesn’t differ from the original models, so in terms of space for the driver, there is no change. Also, even though 12 inches of length is a pretty substantial addition, there isn’t much change in how the two drive, which is the greatest compliment that I can pay a huge SUV.

Whether on the highway, on narrow country roads or in tightly packed parking lots, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in their L forms don’t feel different from the short wheelbase models.

In many cases, adding a foot of length to a vehicle, along with the weight that goes with the extra dimensions, will have a dramatic impact on things like steering, braking and overall handling abilities. In short, some of these large SUVs start to feel more like a bus than an SUV, but that isn’t the case with the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer L.

In fact, if not for the different sound of the Hurricane Twin Turbo I6 engines compared to the Hemi V8 engines, most people would be hard-pressed to know whether they are driving the short or long wheelbase version of the biggest Jeep.

So, if you love the way that the 2022 Wagoneer or Grand Wagoneer drove, but you needed more passenger and cargo space, the L should be just about perfect for you.

‘2023 Jeep Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L First Drive’ continued…

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

Facebook   Twitter