We drive the 2023 Grand Wagoneer L, with the Hurricane I6 and decide if it's better than the V8.
2023 Grand Wagoneer Hurricane L Numbers
BASE PRICE: $98,090
AS TESTED PRICE: $108,580
ENGINE: 3.0L Twin-turbo direct-injected DOHC 24-valve I-6
POWER: 510 hp @ 5,700 rpm
TORQUE: 500 @ 3,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 6,885 lb
CARGO SPACE: 3rd row up to 44 cu-ft, 2nd row up to 71 cu-ft, and all seats flat 113 cu-ft
ZERO TO 60 MPH: 4.7 sec
TOWING MAX: 9,450 lbs
FUEL ECONOMY: 14 mpg city | 20 highway | 17 combined
OUR OBSERVED: 13.6 mpg
PROS: Beautiful interior, quicker than the V8
CONS: no real mpg gains, some turbo lag
The 2023 Grand Wagoneer L is proof that people still want to buy enormous gas-powered vehicles despite the rush toward electrification. It goes head-to-head with the likes of the Cadilac Escalade ESV and the Lincoln Navigator. Step across the pond and the BMW X7 and Range Rover come into play.
Since I already reviewed this car it seems odd that I would review it again less than 8 months later, but there is a reason for this and it's what sits under the hood of my 2023 Grand Wagoneer Obsidian trim tester.
More go less noise
Instead of the 471-hp 6.4-liter V-8 with 455 lb-ft of torque, you get the new Hurricane engine which is a 3.0-liter inline six with 510 hp @ 5,700 rpm and 500 ft-lbs @ 3,500 rpm, that's more horsepower than the Ford Expedition Limited Stealth and is only beaten in the big SUV class by the Cadillac Escalade V.
The Inline six in the GW L is the high Output version if you opt for the Wagoneer you can choose from a 5.7 liter V8 or this inline 6 with a standard output version has 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque.
Being an L, of course, it weighs more, in fact, it tips the scales at a shade over 6,800 lbs, but that doesn't prevent it from making the dash to sixty in 4.7 seconds.
What you do miss is the noise that the V8 makes, it bellows and rumbles something you don't get with the Hurricane engine, in fact, it's remarkably quiet and really never lets itself be heard.
Not only is it faster it's slightly more fuel efficient as well, with EPA numbers one or two mpg better than the 6.4 litersV8. I averaged 13.9 for the week I had it.
All Grand Wagoneers are AWD and the engines are mated to a very smooth shifting 8-speed automatic which is mapped to various drive modes including Sport, Auto, Snow, Rock, and Sand/Mud. Given that the stock tires are all seasons we didn't really go off-road except for some easy dirt trails. There's no doubt though that since it has Jeep off-road DNA it would tackle some fairly technical trails if needed.
The Wagoneer L is essentially a Ram 1500 underneath and the air suspension can raise the Grand Wagoneer L up to provide 10 inches of ground clearance when in Rock Mode. Of course, the sheer bulk, width, and a large rear overhang means caution must be exercised.
Shaped to maximize space
It’s a brick because it has to maximize cargo space, however, the front-end styling is a success and I got many thumbs up at the gas station. This tester's white paint works well since it's broken up by a black roof, black grille, black door mirrors, and black accents which help to reduce the heaviness overall.
Pricing + Options
The Obsidian trim starts at $98,090, my tester had some options including the Obsidian Appearance Package ($5,495), which gives you Ventilated Rear Seats, Premium Color-Tinted Glass, Piano-Black Exterior Accents, Adjustable Roof-Rail Crossbars, the excellent McIntosh Entertainment System with 23 Speakers, Front Passenger Interactive Display, 22-in. Tinted Polished Wheels with Black Inserts, Front Passenger Interactive Display, Front Console Cooler, Black Interior Accents, and Gloss-Black Day Light Opening Moldings.
Since the Grand Wagoneer L with the Hurricane engine will tow 9,450 lbs it had the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package ($995) which includes Trailer-Brake Control, Chrome Tow-Hooks, Trailer-Hitch Line-Up Assist, Trailer-Hitch Zoom, Removable Rear Tow-Hook, and Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling.
It also had the Rear Seat Entertainment Package ($2,195), Amazon Fire TV Built-In, and 10.1-Inch Rear Entertainment Screens plus a Power Liftgate ($195) taking the price including destination to $108,580
