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A black 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III parked on a road in the mountains

Will the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Make the Lincoln Navigator Worry?

The 2022 Grand Wagoneer is a fairly drastic shakeup for Jeep, even though it doesn’t bear the Jeep badge. Regardless, the Grand Wagoneer is a genuinely luxurious offering with a price tag to match. And it’s going up against another made-in-America luxury SUV, the Lincoln Navigator. But is the Grand Wagoneer grand enough to up-stage …

The 2022 Grand Wagoneer is a fairly drastic shakeup for Jeep, even though it doesn’t bear the Jeep badge. Regardless, the Grand Wagoneer is a genuinely luxurious offering with a price tag to match. And it’s going up against another made-in-America luxury SUV, the Lincoln Navigator. But is the Grand Wagoneer grand enough to up-stage the Navigator?

How do the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and 2021 Lincoln Navigator compare in terms of cost?

A black 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III parked on a road in the mountains
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III side 3/4 | Stellantis

While it may seem strange, there is a valid reason for Stellantis not calling the 2022 Grand Wagoneer a Jeep product, The Drive reports. Although Jeep is a historic brand, it isn’t necessarily considered a premium one. And while some of its products can be pricey, the Grand Wagoneer is on a slightly higher level.

The base 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is the Series I, which starts at $86,995 before destination. Next is the $93,995 Series II and $98,995 Obsidian. And at the top of the Grand Wagoneer lineup is the $103,995 Series III and $107,995 Series III Premium.

A pale-blue 2021 Lincoln Navigator Black Label driving down the highway by a city
2021 Lincoln Navigator Black Label | Lincoln

In comparison, the base 2021 Lincoln Navigator is the $76,185 Standard. After that is the $81,965 Reserve and the $98,125 Black Label. Plus, both the Black Label and the Reserve are available in long-wheelbase L form. The Reserve L starts at $85,190; the Black Label L starts at $101,325.

Incidentally, a long-wheelbase option isn’t available on the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer—yet. The Grand Wagoneer is already almost four inches longer than the Escalade, Roadshow reports, but the long-wheelbase model adds another foot. However, an exact release date isn’t available as of this writing.

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer has the capability, but the Lincoln Navigator has the space

Speaking of space, that’s an area where the 2021 Lincoln Navigator beats out the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Well, kind of.

The rear view of the tan-leather interior of a 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with its second- and third-row seats folded
2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer rear interior seats folded | Stellantis

Both body-on-frame SUVs can fit either seven or eight passengers across their three rows of seats. But the Navigator has a larger total cargo capacity than the Grand Wagoneer, The Drive reports. However, the not-a-Jeep has more rear cargo space and more space with its second- and third-row seats folded.

On the powertrain side, the Lincoln Navigator has a torque and a weight advantage. Its 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 makes 450 hp and 510 lb-ft and is linked to a 10-speed automatic. And with a 5655-lb curb weight, the Navigator is about 300 pounds lighter than the not-Grand Wagoneer, Autoblog reports. However, while 4WD is standard on the Navigator Black Label, it’s optional on the other two trims.

The rear view of the tan-leather interior of a 2021 Lincoln Navigator with its seats folded, loaded with folded wooden chairs by a beach
2021 Lincoln Navigator rear interior seats folded | Lincoln

Although the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is noticeably heavier than the Lincoln Navigator, it’s also slightly more powerful. It comes with a 6.4-liter V8 rated at 471 hp and 455 lb-ft and is linked to an eight-speed automatic. Plus, the Grand Wagoneer is only available in 4WD form, complete with an electronic rear limited-slip differential. And it has better approach and departure angles, MotorTrend and Road & Track reports.

It also beats the Lincoln Navigator in towing capacity. The Grand Wagoneer can tow up to 9860 pounds, Car and Driver reports, while the standard-wheelbase Lincoln normally tops out at 8300 pounds, MT reports. And even with the optional Tow Package, it can only tow 8700 pounds, Car and Driver reports.

What about the luxury features?

As befits their price tags, both the 2021 Lincoln Navigator and 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer come very well equipped. Even in base form, the SUVs have real wood trim, leather upholstery, wireless charging pads, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and extensive ADAS features. But digging deeper, there are some subtle differences.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, for example, has a 10” center touchscreen, Car and Driver reports. However, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer has a 12” center touchscreen along with a 10.25” display for the first-row passenger. Plus, even the Series I model has a 19-speaker McIntosh “audiophile-grade” audio system, Car and Driver reports. Not to mention standard adjustable air suspension.

Also, if you go for the Obsidian or Series III models, they come standard with Amazon Fire TV. Plus, while the Lincoln Navigator has tri-zone automatic climate control, the Grand Wagoneer has a quad-zone system.

Regarding their respective highest trim levels, the Grand Wagoneer and the Navigator are still fairly even. They both have massaging seats, for example, and enhanced ADAS suites. However, the Lincoln SUV comes standard with 30-way power-adjustable seats, while the Grand Wagoneer’s seats offer ‘just’ 24-way adjustability.

But the Series III has a 23-speaker McIntosh audio system, while the Navigator Black Label ‘only’ has a 20-speaker Revel Ultima system. And the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III offers significantly more front- and second-row screens; second-row screens are optional on the Lincoln Navigator.  

Which luxury SUV is better worth your time: the Jeep Grand Wagoneer or the Lincoln Navigator?

As of this writing, we don’t know how the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer drives. So, we can’t really say if it’s truly better or worse than the Lincoln Navigator.

Regarding interior quality, I was wholeheartedly impressed with the Navigator Black Label I sat in last year at the Chicago Auto Show. But having not sat in the Grand Wagoneer, I can’t say for certain if its interior is better or worse.

On the face of it, then, it’s a question of features and capability. The Lincoln Navigator is cheaper and has more total cargo space. But the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is a bit larger in terms of passenger room, has a few more features, and can tow more. Plus, on paper, it’s more capable off-road.

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