People from Jeep were trying so hard to bring back the Wagoneer during this year, that they almost blew the whole idea. Originally, the new generation full-size SUV was planned to use Cherokee’s revamped platform, but this won’t happen at all. We know that because FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed the arrival of the 2020 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and 2020 Jeep Wagoneer. Yes, they are building both, and no, they will not share anything with the Cherokee.
Instead, the SUVs will get its own platform, yet it will be a truck-based body-on-frame architecture. What’s more interesting, the 2020 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and 2020 Jeep Wagoneer will be produced at Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan, which is the home of the Ram 1500 at the moment. We thought for a moment that these three could share the same underpinning, but then we recalled that the new generation Ram 1500 won’t be produced here at all. The pickup truck is moving down the corner at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant.
Anyway, FCA has a “simple” plan with those vehicles. The 2020 Jeep Wagoneer will try to take a piece of cake in so called family full-size segment, where currently dominate Ford’s Expedition and quite popular Chevy Tahoe. On the other hand, the 2020 Grand Wagoneer will attack the luxury segment. According to the carmaker the SUV will compete against the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, while the topping model should be able to match with the Range Rover. Yes, the fully-loaded model might cost around $140K.
FCA boss also said that the next generation Jeep Grand Cherokee is also getting all-new platform. The popular SUV is going to be softer and more car-based without any doubt. It will ride on the same platform as the 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The architecture is good, but we afraid that they are pushing our favorite SUV in the backyard.
Stay tuned for updates.
