This is the 2024 Wagoneer Series 2 Carbide 4×4 and it is unapologetically large. It doesn’t just dominate parking spaces; it asserts dominance over entire parking lots. But despite its hulking presence, it wears its size with style, like a bodybuilder in a tailored tuxedo. It also has the Hurricane twin-turbo engine so today let’s see if we still miss the Hemi.

At 214.7-inch-long and weighing in at 6,300 pounds the Wagoneer is setting its sights on rivals like the GMC Yukon and the Cadillac Escalade.  It’s a big and boxy shape which is great for maximizing interior space but it’s not the most stylish large SUV in my opinion.  At the front the Wagoneer has Jeep’s signature seven-spoke grille flanked on either side by these LED headlights at the back however, the design is not so cohesive. It feels like the designer came in on Monday morning after a wild weekend and drew the first thing that came to mind. At least without the chrome around the window of the Grand Wagoneer I tested in 2022,  it looks better.

Under The Hood

Under the hood, the Wagoneer offers a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine that delivers 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed transmission. That’s more than enough to conquer highways, dirt trails, or the Costco parking lot on a Saturday.  As a comparison, the High Output in the Grand Wagoneer has 540 hp and 521 lb-ft.

A pair of twin-scroll turbochargers are mounted to the cylinder-head-integrated exhaust manifold, with each unit being fed by three of the cylinders, which results in quicker-than-average spool-up time and therefore almost no turbo lag.  0-60 is estimated at around 5.7 seconds so it’s definitely quicker than the outgoing 392-hp V-8 which only managed it in 6.7 seconds. Jeep does recommend 91-octane fuel for the standard output engine but requires it to get the most out of the high output. Fuel economy is a tad better than the V8 too, EPA highway mileage is set at 23 mpg.

Off – Road Kit

As we all know Jeeps and off-roading go together like peanut butter and jelly and while this is no Wrangler in terms of off-road prowess, the Wagoneer is surprisingly capable, with advanced four-wheel-drive, a Selec-Terrain system, and quadra lift air suspension so it’s begging for an off-road challenge.

Wheels and Tires

The only problem is it doesn’t have proper wheels and tires for off-roading, but the ones my tester had are pretty good, they are these 285/45 Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons on these optional 22-inch alloy wheels for a cool $1,495.

Driving

The 420 hp Standard output Hurrican 6 is an absolute beast, something I learned when I drove the RAM Tradesman which had the same engine and was glorious. This may be a tad heavier but it storms off the line with no wheelspin at all thanks to the four-wheel drive system.

In Sport mode, the Jeep’s turbocharged straight-six engine performs exceptionally well, with the transmission effectively maintaining the engine within its powerband. The suspension also becomes somewhat stiffer, and it lowers the air springs to the Aero ride height setting to help minimize body roll. Although the steering feel does not significantly enhance, the increased weight in Sport mode facilitates easier maneuverability of the Wagoneer.

One gripe when putting pedal to the metal on a 2 lane back road, overheating brakes, so much so that I had to pull over to let them cool off. The issue is not the brakes themselves but the fact that this vehicle was fitted with optional 22-inch wheels which requires the brakes to work much harder to slow down 6,300 lbs of mass. I’m sure this issue is lessened by fitting the standard 20-inch wheels.

We did take the Wagoneer on a modest truck trail and tested it on our most basic hill with the suspension in the second highest setting since the tester didn’t have skid plates and we didn’t want to damage anything. Of course, it went up and down as we expected, the four-wheel drive system shimmying the torque to the wheel that had traction.

Interior

Settle into the very comfortable seats and it’s very easy to find the perfect driving position since the Wagoneer has power-adjustable pedals. Look around and you soon realize that this is, by no small margin, the plushest, most attractive interior in this class. It features the same overall design as the Grand Wagoneer, so it’s rich in leather, wood, and metal accents.

The front seats have 8-way power, are heated and cooled, the steering wheel is also heated. A UConnect5 infotainment system with navigation includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen display and smartphone syncing. It also features an Alpine 9-speaker sound system with a subwoofer and ahead of the driver is a 10.2-inch digital display.

Material quality, as in the Gran Wagoneer is very good with soft feel plastics across the dash and it’s hard to find cheap scratchy plastic anywhere. The only downside is the swathes of smudge-prone piano black in the center console.

Cargo Space

The Wagoneer offers 27.4 cubic behind the third row and 116.7 cubic feet with all seats down. The 3rd row is decently comfortable and the seats sit high enough that your knees aren’t in your face.  To get in and out there is a button on the backrest of the second row which powers the seat forward for fairly easy exit. Dropping the 3rd row, however, requires a manual effort which I’m fine with. Simply pull on the straps and the split seat drops to provide a very flat cargo area.

The 2nd row provides a host of amenities, including heated seats, climate controls, cupholders, and the rear seat entertainment package with Amazon Fire TV built-in and a pair of 10.1-inch screens

Pricing

The base price for this one is $72,130, not too bad, but wait it has some options. Firstly the $3,395 Carbide package offers  Black Onyx grille rings and Gloss Black badging, you also get a Tri Pane sunroof, adjustable roof rail crossbars, and piano back exterior and interior accents for $3,695. Additionally, it has the convenience group for $4,345 which includes: a Head-up display, Drowsy driver detection (add photo), Park assist, Traffic sign recognition (add photo) the Air Suspension I mentioned earlier, and finally a 360 surround camera.  Lastly, the rear seat entertainment package for $2,595 gives you an Amazon Fire TV built-in and these 10.1-inch screens. Add all that up and you get a total price of $86,955.

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Verdict

The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer is like a five-star lodge on wheels—spacious, luxurious, and ready for adventure. It’s not the most nimble or fuel-efficient option in its class, not the cheapest but for those who want to combine rugged utility with high-end comfort, it’s a compelling choice and I would rather drive this than take a flight any day. 

2024 Jeep Wagoneer II Carbide 4×4 Numbers

BASE PRICE: $72,130
PRICE AS TESTED: $86,955
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front-engine, 4WD, 7-passenger, 4-door SUV
ENGINE: 3.0L Hurricane Straight six turbo Standard Output
POWER: 420 hp
TORQUE: 469 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
0-60 MPH: 5.7 sec (estimated)
CURB WEIGHT: 6,300 lbs (est)
MAX TOWING CAPACITY: Up to 10,000 lbs
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 16/23/19
OUR OBSERVED:  12.8 mpg
PROS: The SO Hurricane 6 eclipses the HEMI, beautiful interior
CONS: Odd rear styling, pricey with options, needs better brakes with 22-inch wheels.