New Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L models mean more room to carry more gear.
Jeep is putting more wagon and more grand into the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. Badged “L,” the new long-wheelbase offerings will offer segment-leading cargo space as well as more room for passengers. The L will also be one of the first vehicles where you can find the new powerful Hurricane inline six-cylinder engine.
To get the new longer models, Jeep added 12 inches to the existing Grand Wagoneer. Not all of that extra length, though, is in the SUV’s tail.
Jeep stretched the wheelbase by 7 inches and put the rest of the added room behind the rear axle. As a result, the L models get a new rear floor, a new rear ladder frame section, and some accompanying chassis modifications with new metal.
Fully boxed frame rails keep the Wagoneer L rigid and maintain towing and payload capacities. Aluminum for the hood and doors along with a composite tailgate both help keep these beasts of burden — 6,000-plus pounds curb weight! — from weighing even more than they do.
Cargo Space Is Extra Grand
The point of the stretch is, of course, more room. Cargo space measuring 44.2 cubic feet behind the third row is 50% more than the standard-length model. It’s also just slightly more than the former notoriously big luxury SUV, the Cadillac Escalade ESV, and its GMC and Chevy siblings.
With all the seats folded, the extended Jeeps do fall shy of the GM SUVs’ capacity at 130.9 cubic feet. The GM entries manage around 145 when everything is flat. However, the Jeeps will still hold a 4 x 8-foot sheet of plywood with room to spare.
When you’re hauling cargo that can move around, like camping gear, coolers, watercraft, or anything else that’s big =or heavy, six tie-down loops help keep everything securely in place. Grand Wagoneer L models come with a cargo management rail system in the back to give you even more flexibility.
Plenty of Room for Up to 8
Rear legroom remains best in class, at least in the second row. There, passengers can find up to 42.7 inches to stretch out. It’s about one inch more than GM but the same as the standard-length Wagoneers. And 36.6 inches of legroom in the third row is within a hair of best in class.