As a follow-up to last year's debut of an all-new Wagoneer, a full-size SUV with a healthy amount of luxury, Jeep doubles down with an even larger variant: the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L. The L stands for long wheelbase, and the distance between the front and rear axles has been extended by 7 inches and the overall length has grown a full foot from nose to tail. Most long-wheelbase versions of large SUVs increase both passenger space and cargo capacity compared to the standard-wheelbase versions. Instead, the Wagoneer L opts to keep the passenger space the same and only enlarges the cargo area.
We're actually fine with the same-size passenger space since the smaller Wagoneer can already comfortably accommodate adults in its third row. Compared to the Wagoneer's 27.4 cubic foot cargo capacity, the Wagoneer L can hold upwards of 50% more with its 42.1 cubic feet. That likely means you can haul eight adults and their luggage in a single trip.
As much as we applaud the huge gain in cargo space, the Wagoneer L is somewhat held back by its rough-riding standard suspension. It suffers with an bouncy and unsettled feel, while handling is hampered by noticeable body roll when cornering. We're partial to the air suspension that is noticeably more comfortable and confident. Unfortunately, it's only available on the top Series III trim that costs a lot more than the base model.
Among other extended-wheelbase SUVs, the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L holds a slight advantage in cargo space as well as fuel economy and off-road capabilities. That makes it a solid rival to the Chevrolet Suburban, the related GMC Yukon XL and the Ford Expedition Max.
The 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L is an eight-passenger large SUV that is available in three trim levels: base Wagoneer L, Series II and Series III. All models are powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine (420 horsepower, 468 lb-ft of torque). It's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. Four-wheel drive is available as an option.
Compared to the stalwart Suburban, the Wagoneer L is more powerful yet more fuel-efficient. It's also slightly more spacious for passengers, and the interior is marginally nicer with higher-quality materials. The Suburban gains an advantage for offering the Super Cruise automated highway driving system and an adaptive suspension.
The Yukon XL is essentially a rebadged Suburban in many ways and has many of the same advantages and drawbacks when compared to the Wagoneer L. The Yukon XL surpasses the Suburban when it comes to the more luxurious Denali trim and may be a closer rival to the Grand Wagoneer L, though it's priced to rival the Wagoneer L.
The Ford Expedition Max is almost 5 inches shorter than the Wagoneer L and, as a result, doesn't offer as much passenger space or cargo capacity, though it will still hold plenty. Its maximum tow rating of 9,300 pounds comes close to the Jeep's, too. The Wagoneer's more refined interior makes it a better choice for luxury-leaning shoppers.
When Jeep brought back the Wagoneer last year, it was the first time in decades that a proper large SUV had graced the Jeep lineup. With mechanical bits borrowed from a Ram 1500, the Wagoneer is a three-row utility vehicle that goes head-to-head with the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, among others. It even spawned an even more luxurious Grand Wagoneer cousin that competes with the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade.
The L comes with a new 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine instead of the regular Wagoneer's standard V8. It makes a stout 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, which is appreciable gain over the V8's 392 hp and 404 lb-ft output. Dropping two cylinders also gives the Wagoneer L slightly better fuel economy compared to the standard model, rising from 18 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 17 mpg combined with four-wheel drive to 19 mpg combined in both RWD and 4WD Wagoneer L models. Switching to a new engine hasn't dulled the big SUV's exceptional towing capacity — the Wagoneer L can still pull up to 10,000 pounds, according to Jeep.
The new engine offers plenty of power to get the Wagoneer L around with relative ease. There is a difference in the waythis power is delivered versus the V8 in the smaller Wagoneer — the smaller engine's lower displacement means it feels like it's working a bit harder initially and you have to dig into the pedal a little bit more to reach that extra power. Even so, there shouldn't be any complaints about this engine (or its higher-output sibling that powers the Grand Wagoneer L). It's quite good.
Though the Wagoneer L's added length goes purely to grow cargo room, the L still offers plenty of room for passengers across all three rows. Two adults will fit in the third row comfortably even for longer trips — and get four USB charging parts and well-positioned air vents in the bargain. The second row has plenty of travel with either the standard bench seat or the available captain's chairs to apportion the legroom as needed for each passenger.
The cabin of the Wagoneer L mirrors that of the standard Wagoneer. That means that even the base model has a luxuriously detailed and feature-rich interior, with amenities that include eight USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a blind-spot warning system. The Wagoneer feels more premium than its competitors — an impression that is reflected in its higher price tag.
A 10.3-inch display fills the instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen is perched as the centerpiece of the dashboard. The screens are easy to use and don't require too much digging into menus to get where you need to go and the wireless smartphone pairings fill the whole screen.
The Wagoneer's additional 12 inches in length is all added to the rear of the vehicle and that significantly increases the amount of cargo space behind the third row. While the Wagoneer has a respectable capacity of 27.4 cubic feet, the Wagoneer L offers 50% more than that with 42.1 cubic feet. You'll be able to fill up all three rows with passengers without having to worry about fitting luggage or equipment.
Edmunds saysThe Wagoneer L's extra cargo capacity makes it a more versatile vehicle. We recommend opting in for the air suspension, which provides a comfortable ride that better matches the big SUV's upscale interior. But keep an eye on that price tag — the higher trim levels of the Wagoneer L creep into Grand Wagoneer L territory.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L:
The least-expensive 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L is the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $62,495.
Other versions include:
