Compared: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs. 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L

Jeep's three-row SUV duo show plenty of contrasts and plenty of overlap.

Chris O'Neill | 

Feb 28, 2024 | 3 min read

Jeep Grand Cherokee L (top) | Jeep Wagoneer L (bottom)

If you're considering a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Jeep Wagoneer that needs to carry more than five passengers, the 2023 lineup offers a pair of elongated three-row versions: the midsize Grand Cherokee L and the full-size Wagoneer L. The Grand Cherokee L starts at about $20,000 less than the Wagoneer L, but that gap narrows considerably once you start adding options.

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Is the More Expensive Choice

Pricing for the Grand Cherokee L starts at about $45,000; there are another five trim levels above that. Power comes from a V6 engine mated to an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Second-row captain's chairs are standard on the Grand Cherokee L, with a three-across bench available to up the seating capacity to seven. Four-wheel drive (4WD) adds $2,000.

A V8 — with mandatory 4WD — can be added, starting with the Overland at about $67,000. The top-of-the-range Summit Reserve starts at about $72,000, exclusively with 4WD.

With a starting price about $20,000 more than the Grand Cherokee L, Jeep's full-size Wagoneer SUV can be had in four trims, starting at around $68,000 with RWD and its lone engine option, a twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder mated to an automatic transmission. Those wanting 4WD will pay a $3,000 premium. The larger Wagoneer L offers one more seat than the Grand Cherokee L in the third row, for a total of eight.

Starting with the $71,000 Series II, a pair of optional captain's chairs for the second row drops the seating capacity to seven. The top-trim Wagoneer L Series III starts at $80,000. After that, the related — but decadently outfitted — Grand Wagoneer L takes over and can climb to six figures.

Jeep Wagoneer L

The 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L Wins in Features

The Grand Cherokee L is built on a unibody platform, while the Wagoneer L uses a body-on-frame design shared with the Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck. As a result, the Wagoneer L is considerably larger than the Grand Cherokee L in every dimension.

For starters, the Wagoneer L has a 3.3-inch advantage over the Grand Cherokee L when it comes to second-row legroom. In their respective third rows, the Wagoneer offers 36.6 inches of legroom, while the Grand Cherokee L has 30.3 inches. Cargo volume for the Grand Cherokee L comes in at 27 cubic-feet with the third row folded and 17 cu-ft with it unfolded. The Wagoneer L offers 88 cu-ft with the third row down and 44 cu-ft with it unfolded.

When it comes to towing, the Wagoneer L can tow up to 7,400 pounds, while the Grand Cherokee L is limited to 6,200 pounds with the V6 and 7,200 pounds with the V8.

As for infotainment, both vehicles use a similar infotainment system with wireless smartphone mirroring, but the Grand Cherokee L's center screen ranges between an 8.4-inch version and an available 10.1-inch screen that's standard in the Wagoneer L.

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Beats the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer L in Fuel Economy

The 4WD 3.6-liter V6 Grand Cherokee L making 293 horsepower is rated at 18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined while the 2WD returns 19/26/21 mpg. The 357-hp 5.7L V8/4WD returns 14/22/17 mpg.

The Jeep Wagoneer L's 420-hp 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six engine with 2WD returns 17/24/20 mpg, while the 4WD version returns an estimated 16/23/19 mpg.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Chris O'Neill

I am an auto-industry veteran and a current MBA candidate at the University of Utah. After moving to Utah in October 2015 and being fascinated by the unique car culture of the region, I started an Instagram project highlighting the rare and distinctive vehicles I see in the Mountain West region. I enjoy sharing with others my unique perspective and passion for all things automotive. In my free time, when I’m not thinking and writing about cars, I enjoy photography, toying with my 2011 Volkswagen GTI and 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser, and exploring Utah with my girlfriend and two dogs.