When it comes to the art of trailbusting at Jeep, the rough-and-tumble Wrangler is usually the preferred tool of choice thanks to its simple layout and sturdy underpinnings. However, the Wrangler (even in Unlimited guise) is far from being the roomiest vehicle offered by the brand for family buyers. That title goes to the large and in charge Wagoneer, a rolling penthouse that comes loaded to the gills with luxury features.
Sadly, the Wagoneer is more of an urban cruiser than a trail bruiser, but the brand is just now attempting to add some trail capability to the big Jeep with the all-new Overland Edition which will be making its debut at the New York Auto Show.
Upgrades are abundant in this Overland
The Wagoneer Overland Edition doesn’t stray too far from the base Wagoneer when it comes to the core design details but the big SUV gest some minor visual tweaks to help it stand out. A blacked-out roof is part of the package with the black-out treatment also extending to the cross bars and other bits of trim while two tow hooks stick out from the front bumper. Three steel skidplates are also included and all Overland Edition models get 32-inch all-terrain tires that are wrapped on 20-inch aluminum wheels for improved off-road capability.
An electronically controlled limited-slip differential helps provide stable power delivery when going over obstacles and the Quadra-Lift air suspension is joined by a new Rock mode in the drive selector and Selec-Speed control which is in reality an upgraded form of Hill Descent Control. While the Overland will most likely sacrifice some of the urban tranquility the model has become known for, Jeep is hoping the enhanced capability and some of the upgrades lurking beneath its blocky skin will help the Wagoneer do a better job of living up to the Jeep badge. The interior gets Nappa leather appointments and a 10.1-inch infotainment system is standard along with the all-weather floor mats, a panoramic sunroof, and a third-row seat. Performance comes from the 420 hp version of the Hurricane inline-six engine.
Cash your ticket while you can
Buyers looking to indulge in the Overland experience will have to act quickly to take advantage of this special model with the brand confirming it will be limiting production of the special edition to 2,000 units. The Overland treatment is a $5,795 premium on top of the standard Wagoneer but we think it’s worth it since the Overland bundles several useful upgrades together and it all manages to still add up to an approachable price of $74,835.
The first deliveries will begin this summer and comes at a time when Jeep is aggressively moving to reverse a skid in sales with the pricey Wagoneer lineup being a prominent offender in this regard. Jeep reps in the past have said the brand is moving quickly to address these issues and the appearance of models like the Overland Edition are an attempt to improve packaging and the inherent value of its vehicles for customers.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.