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We were off in CA for the past week, and travelling with 3 kids. Rented via National & my work rate, reserved a full-size SUV.
Flew into Burbank, via Denver from Houston. Go into the National counter & got directed to just go out & grab a car. No SUVs in the Emerald Aisle
Go back in & ask about it, mentioned that all the SUVs were in the Emerald Executive section & was given a "just take anything out there"
Choices were 2 mid-trim (basic LT) Tahoes or a Series III Wagoneer.
Overall, fit & finish was pretty amazing.
Infotainment was really easy to use, and the huge screen was great. Wireless AndroidAuto was new to me, and a nice feature.
The digital dash was nice, and gave a lot more vehicle info than most newer car seem to. Nav in the cluster is cool, just wish it could integrate with AndroidAuto, instead of only using the stock Nav. Configurable HUD, neat, but doesn't work well with polarized glasses.
Only knocks on it are the center console squeaks (leather on leather) if you lean on it, both sides. And, the leather had separated from the seat back on the 3rd row, looks like it just needed to be reseated.
The lane keep assist seemed a bit too sensitive, even set to the lowest setting. Would get a steering wheel vibration while still fully in the lane
Adaptive cruise worked really well, with no sudden harsh braking like we sometimes get in the Expedition. The ACC indicator was really small though, and took more than a quick glance to see the set speed (when making an adjustment)
Brakes were a bit strange & would grab oddly on light use. Not sure if this is something with the e-torque on the V8. I've only driven my boss' non e-torque Ram with the 5.7 so I can't really say. Just took a bit of getting used to.
Coming from my Explorer & the wife's Expedition Max, the Wagoneer is definitely smoother & quieter on the road. The air suspension soaks up bumps & coarse pavement extremely well.
We were following my in-laws for a while in their 2016 AWD Flex, and would see it buck over expansions & bumps, followed by a smooth pass in the Jeep.
We put a little over 600 miles on the truck in the week we had it, and really liked it. If it weren't for the $86k pricetag (for a 2023, similar spec, but with the new TT6), I'd be tempted; maybe when some come off-lease in a year or two.
Also found that you can disable the DoD [displacement on demand] by putting it into ERS [electronic range select] mode. Pretty much manual mode, but just limits the max gear available. Leave it on 8th & it won't go into 4cyl mode. Played with that a bit on some flat road & it only showed a 2-3 mpg difference.
Lots of torque with the 5.7. Felt like it pulled as well or a bit better than the 3.5TT in the Expedition. Never really felt any need to get close to WOT. I think it has the ZF 8AT, and it shifts smoothly & pretty quickly for a big SUV.
Shockingly, for a full-time 4WD [didn't see any way to put it into 2wd] 5.7 V8 SUV, we averaged about 19mpg. Steady state flat roads, cruise set to 60mph, it was showing upper 20s-low 30s MPG
Filled up (to about 3/4 tank, since we pre=paid the fuel) in the Pismo Beach area [Santa Maria] & reset the MPG & trip meters, drove the 2 hrs to Bakersfield, then the 2 hrs back down to Burbank a couple days later & was showing 20mpg average. It dipped under 19 as we went up Tejon Pass, but climbed back up as we descended into the LA area. Lack of traffic at 4AM helped, apart from the I405 slowdown.
That was including some around town driving, and about 20 minutes of idling due to a full stop on the highway for an accident, and another 20 minutes of stop/go traffic on I5 around I405 due to construction.
I was a bit surprised at some things that it didn't have, that our cheaper Fords do. No power folding mirrors, no power steps, bench seat in the 2nd row. It showed a section for speed limit recognition, but nothing ever appeared there.
Is it? I saw a SWB Grand Wagoneer and a GLS at HomeDepot over the weekend & they sure look similar on a quick glance.
Now a Wagoneer L, definitely a lot bigger than the GLS.
Looks like same wheelbase, Jeep is a bit wider.
Jeep.com shows the Wagoneer to be 214.7" so, a but under a foot longer. Interesting, didn't realize the GLS was that much shorter, which I'm sure is all behind the 3rd row. https://www.truecar.com/compare/jeep...edes-benz-gls/
The GLS is a mid size 3 row unibody crossover competitive with a Pilot, MDX, Highlander, etc sized cars. The Wagoneer is a body on frame truck competing with the Tahoe and similar.
The GLS is a mid size 3 row unibody crossover competitive with a Pilot, MDX, Highlander, etc sized cars. The Wagoneer is a body on frame truck competing with the Tahoe and similar.
I'd say the GLS is slightly bigger than mid-size but not quite full-size (a tweener!). You couldn't seat adults comfortably in the 3-row cars you mentioned but you could in the GLS!
I'd say the GLS is slightly bigger than mid-size but not quite full-size (a tweener!). You couldn't seat adults comfortably in the 3-row cars you mentioned but you could in the GLS!
We had looked at a GLS before we bought the Ascent (yes I know that's a big difference but that's my wife's fault) and the third row seats were comparable to be honest. The GLS might be a bit bigger but not huge.
We had looked at a GLS before we bought the Ascent (yes I know that's a big difference but that's my wife's fault) and the third row seats were comparable to be honest. The GLS might be a bit bigger but not huge.
There's about a 10" difference in the wheelbase b/w the GLS and the Ascent so let's say I'm surprised at how "close" they are.
When the GLS 2nd row seats go down, they have the annoying habit of coming back to a default setting that makes it tight to the third row. If you adjust the 2nd row for normal seating, the 3rd row has plenty of room!
Then it probably comes down to how much space is behind the third row when it's up. Which, for most people, isn't really a huge deal since the third row stays down almost all the time.
If you need real third row seating, going to a Wagoneer or Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban is the way to go...or a van.
In our case, even the Wagoneer was a tight fit for 5 people's worth of luggage. We're really spoiled to the LWB of the Exped Max. Could put all of our gear in the back with the suitcases lengthwise in line with the truck, with room to spare.
The Wagoneer, had to have them upright to get it all to fit. And that's 2 adults 3 kids. 5 suticases, 3 being almost carryon sized, 5 carryon bags, umbrella stroller & a compact folding cot that took up about as much room as a folding camp chair.
In our case, even the Wagoneer was a tight fit for 5 people's worth of luggage. We're really spoiled to the LWB of the Exped Max. Could put all of our gear in the back with the suitcases lengthwise in line with the truck, with room to spare.
The Wagoneer, had to have them upright to get it all to fit. And that's 2 adults 3 kids. 5 suticases, 3 being almost carryon sized, 5 carryon bags, umbrella stroller & a compact folding cot that took up about as much room as a folding camp chair.
We had a minivan for the stroller/wagon days. So glad those days are behind me!
My wife would rather walk than have a minivan
Fully sees the utility of it, but refuses to have one.
Friends of ours in CA have a PHEV Pacifica. Nice van, but 0 appeal to my wife.
My wife would rather walk than have a minivan
Fully sees the utility of it, but refuses to have one.
Friends of ours in CA have a PHEV Pacifica. Nice van, but 0 appeal to my wife.
FWIW, the 2011 Sienna we had was great for passenger comfort and trunk space where anything and everything could be put in. Sliding doors were kid-proof and no running boards needed.
It definitely checked every box for any adult who considered themselves the "ultimate provider" w/ego fully in check!
The spacing was so efficient that the exterior dimensions were even smaller than the '16 GL450 that replaced it, let alone the '23 GLS450!
A van is designed to do one thing and do it exceedingly well. I'm still not sure why society has shunned them to being "mom cars" while all the moms that hate them drive essentially the same thing anyway.
A van is designed to do one thing and do it exceedingly well. I'm still not sure why society has shunned them to being "mom cars" while all the moms that hate them drive essentially the same thing anyway.
Too true! I seriously considered the latest hybrid version of the Sienna bf I pulled the trigger on the GLS. Hybrids are still commanding all sorts of ADM and I just can't wait for the auto market to finally stabilize!
06-15-2023, 11:57 AM
