Would you spend Range Rover money on a Jeep?
As you probably know if you're interested in SUVs, Jeep will revive the Grand Wagoneer nameplate with a range-topping model scheduled for 2018.
Besides being the brand's biggest and most luxurious SUV, the Grand Wagoneer will also bring a hefty price into the mix. And when we say hefty, we mean serious money. According to Jeep boss Mike Manley, the Grand Wagoneer could top at $140,000 for the best-equipped version. That's because Jeep aims it at luxury SUVs like the Range Rover, the next-generation Lincoln Navigator, and the upcoming BMW X7, among other models.
It's an ambitious task for sure, particularly because Jeep hasn't offered anything above the Grand Cherokee for a very long time. Currently, the most expensive Jeep model is the 2016 Grand Cherokee SRT Night, starting at $70,675. Manley says the transaction price of the Grand Cherokee is increasing in the U.S., which suggests there is demand for a more premium model. However, the Grand Wagoneer would cost up to twice as much.
The CEO doesn't think there's such thing as a maximum price the Jeep brand should not exceed. "I'll use US dollars, but pushing the car up to $130,000 to $140,000 may be possible, but we need to establish Grand Wagoneer in its own right first. That's why I wouldn't say there's price ceiling," the executive told Auto Express.
The Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are expected to use a stretched version of the next-generation Grand Cherokee's platform. They may also share some components with the Maserati Levante SUV, which means the engine lineup may include engines like the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V8 gasoline unit.
Both models will be three-row SUVs, with the Grand Wagoneer being a higher, particularly luxurious trim. Let's just hope this time Jeep will resist the temptation of fitting it with exterior wood trim.
Note: 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Final Edition pictured