Grand Cherokee vs Wagoneer S
You don’t have to leave Jeep to face a real choice here. The Grand Cherokee and the Wagoneer S come from separate lines within the same brand. This isn’t a case of one being simply better. The Grand Cherokee leads in off-road & towing, the Wagoneer S in engine & performance, and both leads are real.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Wagoneer S wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Grand Cherokee wins
- Engine & Performance1.2
- Off-road & Towing10.0
- Engine & Performance6.7
- Off-road & Towing6.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Wagoneer S has 207 hp more power
Here the Wagoneer S pulls well ahead of the Grand Cherokee, with 500 hp compared to 293 hp. The Wagoneer S’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
-
The Wagoneer S has 260 lb-ft more torque
The Wagoneer S doesn’t just edge this one; 520 lb-ft against 260 lb-ft is a lead you’ll feel. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
-
The Grand Cherokee has 2,700 lb more towing capacity
Big gap, real consequences. The Grand Cherokee’s 6,200 lb versus the Wagoneer S’s 3,500 lb changes how the two compare in daily use. A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers.
-
The Grand Cherokee has
The Grand Cherokee has the larger figure, 70.9 in to 64.8 in. Whether that helps depends entirely on you. Height matters for garage clearance and for loading bikes or cargo onto the roof.
Design & Size
- Grand Cherokee 193.5 in × 77.5 in × 70.9 in
- Wagoneer S 192.4 in × 74.8 in × 64.8 in
The Grand Cherokee simply takes up more room than the Wagoneer S, whether that’s on a desk, in a bag or in a parking space.
Dimensions
| Spec | Grand Cherokee | Wagoneer S |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 193.5 in | 192.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 77.5 in | 74.8 in |
| Height | 70.9 in | 64.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.7 in | 113 in |
Engine & Performance
Wagoneer S leads
In the engine & performance category, the Wagoneer S isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The Wagoneer S answers with 207 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. Weighing only engine & performance, the Wagoneer S comes out ahead.
Total system output
Grand Cherokee: 293 hp Wagoneer S: 500 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
Grand Cherokee: 260 lb-ft Wagoneer S: 520 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Side by side, the space & practicality figures for the Grand Cherokee and the Wagoneer S barely differ. Both cover space & practicality well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Off-road & Towing
Grand Cherokee leads
The off-road & towing comparison is one-sided. The Grand Cherokee leads where it counts. The Grand Cherokee comes with 2,700 lb more towing capacity. If you tow regularly, the Grand Cherokee’s higher rating gives you more margin. Bottom line for off-road & towing: the Grand Cherokee has the edge.
Max towing
Grand Cherokee: 6,200 lb Wagoneer S: 3,500 lb Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at.
Safety & Tech
Names, not numbers: the safety & tech rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Grand Cherokee | Wagoneer S |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Battery electric |
| Engine | 3.6L V6 (Pentastar) | Dual electric motors, 100.5 kWh battery |
| Total system output | 293 hp | 500 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 520 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | Single-speed direct drive |
| Drivetrain | RWD (4x4 available) | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Grand Cherokee | Wagoneer S |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 22 mpg Thirstiest in class | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg Thirstiest in the city | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 26 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Electric range | N/A (not specified) | 294 mi |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Grand Cherokee | Wagoneer S |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 37.7 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 70.8 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Grand Cherokee | Wagoneer S |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 6,200 lb (winner) Best towing in class | 3,500 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Grand Cherokee | Wagoneer S |
|---|---|---|
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Grand Cherokee | Wagoneer S |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 193.5 in | 192.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 77.5 in | 74.8 in |
| Height | 70.9 in | 64.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.7 in | 113 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Grand Cherokee if…
- you want the higher towing capacity (6,200 lb vs 3,500 lb)
- you like more of everything, size included
Choose the Wagoneer S if…
- you want more power (500 hp vs 293 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (520 lb-ft vs 260 lb-ft of torque)
- you value compactness over sheer size
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Grand Cherokee or the Wagoneer S?
There’s no single right answer. The Grand Cherokee leads on off-road & towing and the Wagoneer S on engine & performance.
Is the Grand Cherokee bigger than the Wagoneer S?
The larger model here is the Grand Cherokee (193.5 × 77.5 × 70.9 in); the Wagoneer S is more compact at 192.4 × 74.8 × 64.8 in.
Executive Summary
My short version of the Grand Cherokee versus the Wagoneer S: they share a family, not a spec sheet. It’s hard to argue with 2,700 lb more towing capacity, which is exactly what the Grand Cherokee brings. Still, if you care most about 207 hp more power, the Wagoneer S deserves a look.
Think about your week. Heavy on off-road & towing? The Grand Cherokee. More about engine & performance? The Wagoneer S.
My pick: the Grand Cherokee for off-road & towing, the Wagoneer S for engine & performance, and no wrong answer between them.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.