Stellantis is renewing the Jeep Grand Wagoneer range under a brand turnaround plan

DETROIT – Jeep is renewing its top-of-the-line Grand Wagoneer lineup for the 2026 model year as part of a yearlong turnaround plan for the quintessential American SUV brand.

The changes include updating the exterior styling, introducing a new upcoming extended-range powertrain and creating a simplified, lower-priced model range, all under the “Grand Wagoneer” moniker. Jeep will also kill off the standalone “Wagoneer” nameplate.

“This marks an important portfolio moment in refining our flagship SUV to reach a broader audience,” Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said at a media event.

Since their launch in 2021, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have failed to live up to expectations. The initial production of the vehicles was fraught with problems and the duplicate nameplates for the same looking vehicles confused consumers.

The initial price for those vehicles could also reach $111,000 – which was uncharted territory for the brand known for its rugged SUVs – and they had a multitude of tiered trim levels that made ordering complicated.

“We've confused our buyers. We've confused our dealers,” Broderdorf said. “I'm here to tell you that we got the message. We're fixing it.'

The 2026 Grand Wagoneer will be available under $65,000, including mandatory destination charges. That's similar to where the Wagoneer currently starts with pricing, but Jeep said it includes additional features and is more in line with competitors' pricing.

“I'm here to win,” Broderdorf said. “I want to get out there very, very quickly and see what we can do to really gain share and continue to grow the brand… that was the mission for me.”

Jeep said it expects the Grand Wagoneer to be the first SUV with a plug-in technology known as a range-extended, or EREV. It can function as a zero-emissions EV until the battery runs out and an onboard electric generator – powered by a 27-gallon, 3.6-liter V6 engine – kicks in to power the vehicle.

Jeep is one of the most crucial Stellantis' 14 brands – if not the most important in North America. The redesigned Grand Wagoneer is the second of four major product announcements that began this summer with the unveiling of the new Jeep Cherokee SUV.

The turnaround plan also included a review of Jeep SUV prices, which have risen above market norms in recent years, and a renewed partnership with the estranged dealer network amid a lack of new products and declining sales.

Stellantis' Ram Trucks brand was expected to be the first to launch an EREV model, but after several delays and the brand executing its own turnaround plan, the Jeep model is expected to be the first EREV model available early next year.