Possibly running out of ideas, Jeep may revive the Wagoneer

By Stephen Edelstein Published January 28, 2016

Right now, the sky’s the limit for Jeep. Last year, parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) said it would revive the Grand Wagoneer nameplate for a Range Rover-rivaling luxury SUV, and more recently Jeep said it would build a 707-horsepower Grand Cherokee Hellcat, a Wrangler pickup truck, and a new compact crossover.

But that’s not all. Jeep reportedly has another new model in the works, and it’s once again looking to the past for a name. In addition to the Grand Wagoneer, Jeep is also building a new SUV called just Wagoneer, according to Automotive News. However, it’s unclear what this new Wagoneer will be, or where it will fit in the lineup.

Recommended Videos

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed plans for a new Wagoneer during a conference call discussing the company’s newly-revised five-year plan. He mentioned the “Grand Wagoneer family, both the Grand Wagoneer and the Wagoneer,” and said that it is important FCA find space for both “without creating additional product capacity.” That means other models may get bumped to make room for these new SUVs.

The original Wagoneer was a standalone model that represented one of the first attempts to civilize SUVs and market them to families. Even after that model was discontinued, the name bounced around as a trim level on other Jeeps, most notably the Cherokee. Fast forward to 2016, and the Jeep lineup is already chock full of vehicles, so it’s hard to say where the Wagoneer will fit in.

It’s fairly clear that the Grand Wagoneer will be a full-size luxury SUV, likely with three rows of seats. The question is whether there’s enough room between that model and the existing Grand Cherokee for yet another big utility vehicle. Granted, the current Cherokee and Grand Cherokee have nothing in common except a name, so Wagoneer could turn out to be a completely different type of SUV from its “Grand” sibling.

One thing’s for sure, though: FCA is betting big on trucks and SUVs. Encouraged by 2015’s low gas prices and high SUV sales, and discouraged by lackluster car sales, it will emphasize the Jeep and Ram brands, but kill off the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart. CEO Marchionne believes gas prices will stay low, and he’s apparently willing to bet a lot on that assumption.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

You can now lease a Hyundai EV on Amazon—and snag that $7,500 tax credit

amazon autos hyundai evs lease ioniq 6 n line seoul mobility show 2025 mk08

Amazon has changed how we shop for just about everything—from books to furniture to groceries. Now, it’s transforming the way we lease cars. Through Amazon Autos, you can now lease a brand-new Hyundai entirely online—and even better, you’ll qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit if you choose an electric model like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, or Kona EV.
Here’s why that matters: As of January 2025, Hyundai’s EVs no longer qualify for the tax credit if you buy them outright, due to strict federal rules about battery sourcing and final assembly. But when you lease, the vehicle is technically owned by the leasing company (Hyundai Capital), which allows it to be classified as a “commercial vehicle” under U.S. tax law—making it eligible for the credit. That savings is typically passed on to you in the form of lower lease payments.
With Amazon’s new setup, you can browse Hyundai’s EV inventory, secure financing, trade in your current vehicle, and schedule a pickup—all without leaving the Amazon ecosystem.
It’s available in 68 markets across the U.S., and pricing is fully transparent—no hidden fees or haggling. While Hyundai is so far the only automaker fully participating, more are expected to join over time.
Pioneered by the likes of Tesla, purchasing or leasing vehicles online has been a growing trend since the Covid pandemic.
A 2024 study by iVendi found that 74% of car buyers expect to use some form of online process for their next purchase. In fact, 75% said online buying met or exceeded expectations, with convenience and access to information cited as top reasons. The 2024 EY Mobility Consumer Index echoed this trend, reporting that 25% of consumers now plan to buy their next vehicle online—up from 18% in 2021. Even among those who still prefer to finalize the purchase at a dealership, 87% use online tools for research beforehand.
Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that while 86% of U.S. consumers still want to test-drive a vehicle in person, digital tools are now a critical part of the buying journey.
Bottom line? Amazon is making it easier than ever to lease an EV and claim that tax credit—without the dealership hassle. If you're ready to plug in, it might be time to add to cart.

Android

Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon

The 6.8-inch Pioneer digital media receiver installed in a vehicle's dashboard.

Google appears to be getting ready to sends its Gemini AI into cars through an Android Automotive update.

This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.

Cars

Watch from the passenger seat as the new Porsche 911 GT3 sets a record at the Nürburgring

911 GT3 with Weissach Package (Manual Transmission), Nürburgring Nordschleife 2025, Porsche AG

If you've ever wanted to race at top speeds around one of the most iconic racetracks in the world, then now is your chance. A new Porsche 911 GT3 just set a record for the fastest time around the Nürburgring in a road car with a manual transmission, knocking almost 10 seconds off the previous best time. And Porsche has released a video of the run filmed from the cockpit, so you can experience the thrills for yourself.

The record was set by legendary driver and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel of a 911 GT3 with the Weissach package, setting a time of 6:56.294. That's 9.5 seconds ahead of the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017 -- though there's some math involved in these time calculations as the track was reconfigured in 2019.