2023 Wagoneer: Four Wheeler SUV of the Year Winner

If hearing the name Wagoneer invokes certain nostalgic emotions within you, it's because it should. The Jeep Wagoneer was the original full-size SUV, with production beginning for the 1963 model year. The full-size, body-on-frame Wagoneer remained in production for 29 years, with Jeep finally calling it quits after the 1991 model year. Versions of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer nameplate existed within the XJ Cherokee and ZJ Grand Cherokee lineups until the name was retired for good in 1994.

Last year, the Wagoneer participated in our 2022 Four Wheeler SUV of the Year test event and finished in a respectable, although disappointing, fifth place behind a pair of Wranglers, Ford's new Bronco, and GMC's Yukon AT4. It was a stacked field full of some of the top players. For 2023, the Wagoneer returned for another shot at the top spot on the podium, thanks to the inclusion of the company's all-new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6 Hurricane engine.

Was the Wagoneer's new powerplant enough to propel it to victory against its other 2023 SUV of the Year rivals, and make it the 18th Jeep vehicle to win our coveted SUV of the Year trophy? Read on to find out!

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Atthe Track

The 2023 Wagoneer still comes standard with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with eTorque. However, new for 2023 is the optional all-new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six-cylinder engine. When fitted to the Wagoneer, this engine pumps out 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque. This improves on the 5.7-liter HEMI's numbers by 28 hp and 64 lb-ft. Peak horsepower and torque also come on at about 400 fewer rpm than the V-8, improving acceleration feel. Backing both engines is the company's time-tested TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission. You're likely thinking, "Doesn't the new engine make 510 hp?" Unfortunately, the high-output version of the Hurricane I-6 is only available in the Grand Wagoneer.

On the track, the 2023 Wagoneer performed significantly better than the year previous, thanks in part to a lower curb weight and more powerful engine. The Wagoneer put down the second-quickest 0-60 mph time, taking 5.85 seconds and losing the top spot to the smaller Grand Cherokee by just 2 hundredths of a second. The Wagoneer bested the trio of similar three-row SUVs by nearly a second. In the quarter-mile, the Wagoneer ran through the finish line in 14.45 seconds at a speed of 97.0 mph. Getting the nearly three-ton Wagoneer stopped from 60 mph took 143.82 feet.

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Interior Comfort and Exterior Design

It should come as no surprise that the 2023 Wagoneer Series II scored highest in our Four Wheeler SUV of the Year test when it came to the interior. Moving down from the Series III Wagoneer that we tested in 2022 meant that we gave up some of the more opulent adornments, but our judges didn't seem to mind. Thanks in part to the comfortable Nappa leather seats, elegant interior design, and powerful 506-watt, 9-speaker Alpine audio system, it was tough to get our judges to vacate the Wagoneer at the end of their driving segments.

The Wagoneer's interior was noted by our judges as being comfortable in all positions, even in the far back, for all sizes of adults. The Wagoneer also won a fair bit of praise for its implementation of the company's latest Uconnect 5 infotainment software, large 10.1-inch center touchscreen, and implementation of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Though our judges had some grievances with the trim choices of last year's Series III Wagoneer, the Series II won near-unanimous praise for its interior adornments, being called "simple, elegant, logical, and very well-designed."

Unlike the unanimous love of the Wagoneer's interior, the vehicle's exterior design continues to be far more polarizing. In general, the front-end design of the Wagoneer was looked upon with favor by the group. However, when it came to the rear, opinions quickly shifted. Most didn't care for squared-off and boxy design from the C-pillar back through the rear hatch. It was also noted by several judges that the numerous chrome accents scream luxury more than off-road, but that's the arena that Wagoneer plays in, so it can be forgiven. The Wagoneer Series II also won praise for the inclusion of a rather stylish 18-inch wheel with the Advanced All-Terrain Group (off-road package). Large, plastic side-steps were included on this Wagoneer, but thankfully they are easily removable.

The Wagoneer's Jeep pedigree continues to show through where it counts, by offering a pair of large and usable (albeit chrome) front tow hooks. At the rear, the Wagoneer sported a standard 2-inch receiver hitch, however, as is standard for the class these days, it was hidden behind a closure panel, which some judges took issue with. In another stroke of thoughtfulness, the Wagoneer came with a hitch receiver recovery hook located with the spare tire and tools. It's the little things like this that make all the difference.

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On the Highway

In addition to getting exceedingly high marks for interior comfort, the Wagoneer scored a tie for the top spot with the far more expensive Lexus LX 600 when it came to highway ride and handling. Our judges swooned over the silky-smooth power delivery from the big SUV's new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter engine and adored the extra-fine shifting of the 8-speed automatic transmission. The Wagoneer was noted as being easy to drive and exceedingly smooth going down the highway. The interior is bunker-quiet, which, if you've driven any SUV lately, you'll know isn't common. Some judges noted that the Wagoneer seemed to have larger-than-normal rearward blind spots. And the Wagoneer was outfitted with a host of driving aids that drew mixed reviews. This isn't as much a knock against Wagoneer, though, as all could be disabled if desired.

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When the Pavement Ends

Aiding the Wagoneer down the trail was the company's Advanced All-Terrain Group ($2,295) package. This off-road package fitted the Wagoneer with 3.92:1 axle gears, a two-speed transfer case, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, select-speed control, front tow hooks, 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and skidplates for the front axle, fuel tank, and transfer case—basically, everything you need to take the Wagoneer off-road.

The Wagoneer really shone on graded dirt roads and in the fast sand washes, though it performed admirably on our rutted hill climb test as well. The Wagoneer's suspension worked well in almost all situations and didn't suffer from the noises commonly associated with adjustable air-suspension systems, although some judges noted that the speed of adjustment wasn't quite up with the competition. Wagoneer's semi-active damping gave the SUV an off-road ride that was generally comfortable traversing all types of rugged off-road terrain. Wagoneer's electronic limited-slip rear differential also won praise from our judges thanks to its smooth operation and positive engagement. Power output from the new engine and its linear delivery was appreciated in all off-road situations, but was especially appreciated in the ice and snow.

Although the Wagoneer sports a seven-slot grille, our judges noted that it still suffers from the same handicaps off-road as others in its size class. All our judges commented about the Wagoneer's size and lack of real body protection while traversing obstacles in the trail, and the large plastic side-steps were a constant worry. Thankfully, moving to an 18-inch wheel, rather than 20 or larger, gave more tire sidewall which in turn provided a more comfortable ride while also mitigating the risk of pinch flats.

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Bottom Line

It's almost as if the 2023 Four Wheeler of the Year test event was the redemption tour for Wagoneer. Nearly all of our judges' quibbles with the vehicle from the 2022 test have been resolved. And the addition of the new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6 engine heaps frosting on top of the proverbial cake. The Wagoneer is incredibly comfortable on the highway, has an elegant cabin that's not over-the-top, and features a gorgeous exterior design. Best of all, the 2023 Wagoneer has the off-road chops to confidently get deep into the backcountry while hauling the whole family and their gear. With this, we are proud to bestow the 2023 Wagoneer Series II Off-Road with the title of our 2023 Four Wheeler of the Year.

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What's Hot

Powerful and smooth inline-six-cylinder engine, comfortable and quiet interior, surprising off-road agility, elegant exterior styling

What's Not

Bland rear-end styling, slow-to-respond air suspension, confusing (to some) shift knob

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Logbook Quotes

• "I'm pretty sure I could drive this vehicle all day and well into the night and not grow tired of it. "
• "This new engine is so incredibly quiet and smooth that it's sometimes difficult to know if it's even running. "
• "The interior is surprisingly simple until you dive into all the tech. Then it's like an iPhone—lots of function with minimal buttons. "
• "The third-row sunroof is certainly a posh feature. "
• "I love that despite having a super-fancy center touchscreen there's still an honest analog volume knob. "
• "In one word, this interior is crisp!"
• "Why does this $80,000 SUV have such huge plastic side-steps and not retractable running boards?"

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2023 Wagoneer Series II: Specs & Details

• Base Price: $68,080
• Price As Tested: $82,100
• EPA Fuel Econ (City/Hwy/Comb): 16/23/19
• Tested Fuel Econ (Average/Best): 16.49/20.30
• Engine: 3.0L Twin-Turbocharged I-6
• Power: 420 hp @ 5,200 RPM
• Torque: 468 lb-ft @ 3,500 RPM
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Accel 0-60 MPH: 5.85 seconds
• ¼-Mile: 14.45 seconds @ 97.0 mph
• Braking 60-0 MPH: 143.82 feet