Should You Take the Jeep Wagoneer Off Road?

The Jeep Wagoneer offers best-in-class off-road capabilities thanks to its ground clearance, tires, and optional 4x4 drivetrain.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The
Jeep
Wagoneer, originally available from 1963 to 1993, was reintroduced for the 2022 model year. Like most Jeeps, this full-size SUV offers best-in-class off-road capabilities.
Jeep’s slogan is “Go anywhere. Do anything.” The brand is known for its simple, reliable vehicles that drivers can trust both on and off road. 
The first Wagoneer was released by Jeep in 1963 as a successor to the Willys Jeep Station Wagon. The full-size body-on-frame vehicle shared its architecture with the Gladiator pickup truck, but with a station wagon body style. Later, the Wagoneer would be considered a pioneering design for the beloved sport utility vehicle (SUV). 
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This full-size SUV was reintroduced for the 2022 model year, leaving Jeep lovers to wonder—should you take the Jeep Wagoneer off road? 
Here with the Jeep Wagoneer off-road rating is
Jerry
, the
super app
that saves drivers money on
car insurance
and more. We’ll go through key specs that affect the Wagoneer’s off-road capabilities, like ground clearance and torque, and alternative vehicles to consider if you decide the Wagoneer isn’t for you. 

Can the Jeep Wagoneer go off road?

Yes—the Jeep Wagoneer can go off road.
Jeep doesn’t disappoint with the Wagoneer. This full-size SUV can absolutely handle off-road adventures. It’s big and mighty, plus it comes equipped with your choice of three 4x4 systems to help you power through serious mud and dirt.
Starting at $58,995, the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer comes in a whopping nine trim levels, with the most equipped trim costing a whopping $81,340. At these prices, you might think the Wagoneer is a luxury vehicle—it certainly is refined—but an optional off-road kit also brings legit capability. 
Let’s take a look at the exact specs that make your Wagoneer ready for trail-chasing adventures.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance—or the space between the ground and the lowest point on your vehicle’s chassis—is one of the most important numbers to keep in mind when it comes to off-roading. The Jeep Wagoneer has a ground clearance ranging from 8.3 inches to 10 inches depending on the trim and model year.
Experts recommend a minimum of 8.5 inches of ground clearance for those looking to travel off the beaten path, but you’ll want to see a ground clearance number between 8.8 and 10.8 inches for ideal off-roading ability. 
The 2022 Wagoneer is available as a Series I, Series II, or Series III vehicle. Series I and II have a ground clearance of 8.3 inches—which is certainly nothing to sneeze at—but you’ll want to opt for a Series III with 10 inches of ground clearance for optimal off-roading chops.

Torque

Power matters much more than speed when you’re driving off road, and the best off-roading vehicles pack a punch with low-end torque (aka high amounts of power at a lower rpm). 
The 2022 Wagoneer’s 392-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine offers 404 lb-ft of torque @ 3,950 rpm. That’s quite a bit of power at a decent rpm—especially considering the large-and-in-charge size of the vehicle. 
However, the most ideal off-roading vehicle could achieve the same at a lower rpm.

Tires

The 2022 Wagoneer is even more equipped for off-roading, thanks to 275/65R18 all-terrain tires
All-terrain tires
, sometimes called A/T tires, are designed for drivers who want to mix off-roading with everyday driving on paved highways and roads. They have a more open and aggressive tread pattern compared to all-season tires, offering much better traction.
Keep in mind that all-terrain tires aren’t as durable and long-lasting as all-season tires, effectively increasing your vehicle’s cost of ownership. 

Drivetrain

Rear-wheel drive is standard on the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, which isn’t exactly ideal for extreme off-road conditions. 
Fortunately, buyers have the option to upgrade to one of three 4x4 systems (aka four-wheel drive), each with varying degrees of capability:
  • Quadra-Trac I allows your Wagoneer to handle any weather condition with ease. It’s a great option if you find yourself needing to power through an unplowed driveway every winter. 
  • Quadra-Trac II offers increased capability and traction control, perfect for mild off-roading conditions.
  • Quadra-Drive II will give you the most capability and is designed to take you almost anywhere you want to go.  
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Angles

The last specs that you’ll need to consider are your vehicle’s angles—specifically:
  • Theapproach angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference 
  • Thedeparture angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
The Wagoneer’s angles are an impressive 41.4 and 36.1 degrees, respectively. That’s enough for some serious rises and dips! 

Off-road rating: Trail Boss

We’ve rated the Jeep Wagoneer using
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below: 
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer’s off-road rating is T: Trail Boss—as long as you select a trim level with 10-inch ground clearance and add on the appropriate 4x4 package. But even without these upgrades, the SUV’s torque, tires, and angles make it a great option for casual off-roading. 

The best off-road alternatives to the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer 

When it comes to full-size SUVs with the ability to tackle dirt and mud, the Jeep Wagoneer isn’t your only option! We suggest shopping around—and even doing some test drives—to find the best option for you.
Take a look at some of these great alternatives:
Model
Price
Description
2022 Chevrolet Suburban
$57,800
The Suburban has a history as rich as the Wagoneer, serving as one of the longest-running three-row SUVs on the market. The 2022 models have similar cabin room, although the Suburban offers far more legroom and at a lower price. Keep in mind that it’s not quite as off-road capable as the 4x4-equipped Jeep, though.
2022 Ford Expedition
$53,410
The Expedition has a high-quality interior, though it isn’t quite as premium as the Wagoneer. Its powerful V6 engine makes it very capable on and off road, and it’s especially great for towing!
2022 Dodge Durango
$54,395
The Durango is slightly smaller than the Wagoneer and slightly less luxurious, but it doesn’t lack in terms of performance! It offers great power and maneuverability and is even available with a burly 475-hp V8 for maximum SUV thrills.
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Big SUVs are often more expensive—both to buy and insure. Add on off-roading capabilities and your
car insurance
will likely be even more costly, as off-roading poses a higher risk to your vehicle. 
Fortunately, there’s an easy solution—shopping with
Jerry
for the lowest rates. It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. 
In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request. 
No long forms. No calling around. No hard work. Just savings. The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance.
“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get since I have a luxury SUV. After
Jerry
found me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage. I’ll be shopping for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Petra S.
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