Report: 2019 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Will Be a Ram Truck-Based Tahoe Fighter

Jeep-Crew-Chief-715-Concept
2016 Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept

Will the next 2019 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (and Wagoneer) come to market in 2019, and will it be based on the Ram 1500 frame and chassis? The answers are a resounding yes and yes, based on a report from Automotive News. The report says that the Wagoneer and (presumably a longer wheelbase) Grand Wagoneer will come out in mid-2019 and will be built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan.

Why are there an image and video of the Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept here? The Crew Chief reminds us of the original Jeep Wagoneer (SJ) form the 1960s and the Jeep Gladiator pickup that was related to it.

1967 jeep wagoneer sj classic
1967 Jeep Wagoneer

The strategy of building a range of full-size SUVs based on the Ram 1500 platform makes a lot of sense to us. FCA’s current answer to the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and the Toyota Sequoia is the unibody-based Dodge Durango. A larger and more luxurious body-on-frame SUV will be more squarely aimed at the segment leading Chevrolet Tahoe in terms of interior space, appointments, and heavier cargo/towing capacity.

Jeep will also have access to a variety of power train options ranging from a gasoline V6, V8, turbo-diesel, and perhaps a gas-electric hybrid. Ford is aiming to bring a hybrid Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition in 2020. Jeep and FCA will need some answer to this with a capable and fuel-efficient SUV.