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What Full-Size SUV Shoppers Need to Know
What Full-Size SUV Shoppers Need to Know
Earnhardt Queen Creek CDJR
If you’ve been watching the full-size SUV segment, the Ram Ramcharger SUV V8 story is one worth paying attention to. Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis recently confirmed in a podcast interview with The Drive that Ram’s upcoming three-row SUV, the Ramcharger, will be built around a V8 powertrain architecture.
That’s a deliberate move away from what the Jeep Grand Wagoneer offers. At Earnhardt Queen Creek CDJR, we want to break down what that means for Queen Creek shoppers who are weighing their full-size SUV options.
Stellantis, the parent company behind both Ram and Jeep, is intentionally separating its two full-size SUV products by powertrain. The goal, according to Kuniskis, is to make sure each brand serves a distinct buyer.
Kuniskis put it plainly: Ram wants to be “very focused on who a Ram customer is” and Jeep wants to be “very focused on who a Jeep customer is.” Dedicated powertrains are the clearest way to draw that line.
The result: the Grand Wagoneer stays with a turbocharged inline-six architecture, and the Ramcharger goes V8-first. These two vehicles will share a platform, but they are designed to feel, look, and drive differently.
This is where the Ramcharger gets interesting for performance-minded buyers. Based on Kuniskis’ comments and reporting from CarBuzz and The Drive, the Ramcharger SUV is expected to offer a range of V8 engines across its trim lineup.
Here’s what has been reported:
The Hellcat engine is the likely candidate for that top trim, but trim-level assignments have not been officially detailed. Please do not read the Hellcat as a standard offering across all Ramcharger trims.
The Ramcharger is expected to enter production in 2028.
The 2026 Grand Wagoneer moves fully into the Hurricane inline-six family. That means no more V8 Hemi for the Jeep lineup. However, no one can call these turbos slow. Here’s what Jeep shoppers can look forward to:
The 2026 Grand Wagoneer also received a notable price adjustment. After the refresh, the base 2026 Grand Wagoneer starts at $66,790 including destination. That represents a meaningful value shift compared to where the Grand Wagoneer was priced in prior model years, making it more accessible for shoppers who want a feature-rich three-row SUV today.
If you’re looking for a Grand Wagoneer that’s ready to drive home now, the team at Earnhardt Queen Creek CDJR can show you what’s on the lot. Check current Grand Wagoneer inventory.
These two vehicles are built for different people, and that’s by design. Here’s a straightforward way to think about it.
Jeep
The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer may be the right fit if:
Ram
The Ram Ramcharger SUV may be the right fit if:
Neither vehicle is the wrong choice. They’re equally well made, just built for buyers with different priorities. Both seat up to eight passengers with tons of wiggle room for everyone. Both are expected to offer full-size towing capability. The powertrain is likely to be the deciding factor.
The Grand Wagoneer is on the lot right now. If the Hurricane I6 setup fits your needs, you don’t have to wait. The 2026 pricing reset makes this big Jeep a stronger value than it’s been in recent years.
The Ram Ramcharger SUV is still a few years out. Production is expected to begin in 2028, and we’ll be among the first to have details when Ram makes official announcements on trim levels, pricing, and availability. If you want to be notified when the Ramcharger SUV arrives at Earnhardt Queen Creek CDJR, reach out to the team and ask to be added to the early interest list.
Contact Earnhardt Queen Creek CDJR to ask about the Ram Ramcharger SUV arrival timeline or to schedule a test drive in a Grand Wagoneer today.
Earnhardt Queen Creek CDJR is part of the Earnhardt family of dealerships, family-owned since 1951. Located in the Gilbert and Queen Creek area of Arizona.
