2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Obsidian Interior Review: Probing the Dark (In)Side

Inventory shortages of key components such as computer chips has the entire automotive industry on skates right now, and limited supply is putting pressure on automakers in the face of huge buyer demand. Some brand dealerships are taking advantage of low vehicle inventory and marking up prices, and automakers are shifting what resources they have to building more profitable—read: more expensive—trim levels and models, driving prices upward and leaving budget shoppers in the lurch. Edmunds has collected car buying data from January on the best and worst offending brands, with Cadillac, Land Rover and Kia—or, more accurately, their dealers—gouging the most.The Worst OffendersCadillac was far and away the worst last month, when it comes to how much customer's actually paid for their new Caddy over its listed MSRP. According to Edmunds, Cadillac buyers spent more than $4,000 over MSRP on average. That severe markup was nearly two grand higher than the next-worst offender, Land Rover, with an average Actual Transaction Price (ATP) coming to over $2,500 over MSRP on average last month. That's not exactly unexpected, but what's surprising is who came in third.Kias are in high demand, and its dealers are taking full advantage. It was the third automaker on the list of markup offenders, with an average ATP $2,289 higher than average MSRP in January. Genesis was 6th on Edmunds markup list, at $1,600 over MSRP on average, and Hyundai was the eighth-worst listed offender at $1,500 above MSRP on average.The Korean auto group's expansive lineups, inspired and bold new styling, and its onslaught of new or updated vehicles for this year give it a strong hold over market demand, which it will likely keep until supply chain issues stabilize. So, it may be awhile before you find a good deal on a Kia or Hyundai again.Who Had The Deals?Edmunds' list of data also showed the best brands for shoppers underpaying, where the Actual Transaction Price was lower than the car's listed MSRP. The winners from January include Alfa Romeo, which seems to be begging people to buy its aging, small lineup of cars, selling an average $3,421 under MSRP. That's certainly an anomaly, a bad sign for the brand's profitability, and pretty much three grand more severe than any other automaker last month.The smaller, but very welcome deals came from Volvo, averaging an ATP $869 under MSRP, Lincoln at $510 under MSRP, Ram at $465 under, and BMW and Mini averaging small $200 and $150 under average MSRP, respectively. That's not a lot of money on the hood for the customer, save for Alfa, but it's still quite a significant deal when you compare BMW's numbers to, say, Cadillac's intense markups.If you're buying luxury, maybe look at BMWs first this month. Ram was also the only brand with a full-size pickup on sale that came in under average MSRP, so look for truck deals there, and Mini has that new SE electric car that also comes with the full government EV tax credits, if you just need a city cruiser. Check out our best car buying tips on understanding MSRP and how to negotiate a good deal. Here's Edmunds full list of data:MSRP vs ATP by Vehicle Make for January 2022Cadillac: $4,048Land Rover: $2,565Kia: $2,289Porsche: $1,721Acura: $1,701Genesis: $1,603Honda: $1,508Hyundai: $1,498Audi: $1,325Jaguar:$1,109Toyota: $1,015Nissan: $904Infiniti: $820Dodge: $729Mercedes-Benz: $719Fiat: $718GMC: $677Chevrolet: $625Subaru: $592Chrysler: $460Volkswagen: $428Jeep: $353Mazda: $312Lexus: $235Mitsubishi: $207Ford: $163Buick: $17Mini: -$151BMW: -$199Ram: -$465Lincoln: -$510Volvo: -$869Alfa Romeo: -$3,421The industry average MSRP is now up to a whopping $44,989 according to Edmunds, and industry average ATP is above that, at $45,717. That leaves the industry average markup at $728 over MSRP, which isn't a lot of money compared to the average MSRP, but it's still more than you should be paying.Take a good look at the list if you're planning on shopping for a new car, and do your best to stick to the lower half. You may or may not like a Volvo better than an Audi, or a Ram better than a Ford, but you probably like saving hundreds of dollars more than anything. And be on the lookout for dealers who are charging thousands above MSRP—if you can wait to buy a new car, or can shop around dealers farther afield, we suggest giving that a shot to avoid overpaying for a new car in the near future.

We've seen concept cars featuring four-wheel-steering that makes it possible to pull up next to a parking space and drive sideways right into it, thanks either to four-wheel 90-degree steering or spherical tires that can just roll sideways. Don't hold your breath for these sideways parking car concepts, but supplier ZF recently showed off a front suspension design capable of steering the front wheels 80 degrees—enough to drastically reduce the amount of surplus parallel-parking space required for easy insertion/extraction and to tighten U-turn diameters considerably.The Missing LinkIn most front suspensions, a tie-rod connects the suspension knuckle directly to the steering rack. ZF proposes inserting a second link. This one runs roughly parallel with the tire, connecting the lower control arm in front to the knuckle at the other end. The traditional tie-rod then connects to this link, a bit closer to the control-arm pivot. The mechanical advantage this creates can more than double the range of tire pivot rotation from a typical 35 degrees in either direction to 80 degrees without extending the travel or dimensions and functionality of the steering rack.Why Has Nobody Produced This Yet?Swiveling the wheels and tires 80 degrees either way requires a lot of packaging space that is typically reserved for crash-structure frame rails, and their spacing has generally been dictated by a front-mounted combustion powertrain. Another problem is the lack of any sort of constant-velocity joint capable of transmitting drive torque over such an extreme angle, which makes the concept impractical for traditional front-drive vehicles. Finally, implementation would require a means of limiting the max allowable steering angle to parking-lot speeds, because suddenly dialing up 80 degrees of steering at speed could roll a tire off the rim and flip the vehicle.Enablers: Electronics and Electric DriveModern electronics are more than up to the task of limiting steering angles to certain speeds, and this obviously means any rear-engine, rear-wheel drive vehicle could adopt this steering setup today and begin seeking out incredibly tight parallel parking spaces and hanging U-turns inside their garage or on their neighborhood street. Indeed, ZF demonstrated the concept on a rear-motor, rear-drive electric BMW i3. Another key enabler will be in-wheel electric drive motors, which eliminate the need for shafts and CV joints. These have yet to find favor with mainstream automakers, but advances we've covered by Orbis and Indigo address the technology's limitations in ways that could bring them to market—especially in ride-hailing and delivery vehicles, which stand to gain maximum benefit from the improved maneuverability.When and How Much?ZF's EasyTurn Suspension is so simple that it can be implemented quickly, whenever a manufacturer signs on the dotted line, but as of press time ZF had yet to announce any such contracts. And no supplier ever talks specifics on cost, but clearly this design adds a couple of ball joints, a link, and a bit of extra machining, so this won't be a budget-buster. Consider our fingers crossed for this cool concept.

Sequoia trees are thought to be the oldest living things on Earth, so it's appropriate that Toyota's full-size SUV is named for them: The soon-to-be-outgoing Sequoia dates from 2008, and over the three thousand years—okay, 13—it's been on sale, we've watched it slip from first to last in comparison to its competitors. Finally, it looks like a new Sequoia sapling is born: Toyota has revealed the 2023 Sequoia, with a few surprises that make it feel like an SUV for the ages.If you think the current Sequoia is a bit too plain—and certainly if you think it's too old—the new one should address your concerns. Up front, the new Sequoia shares its curves and creases with the all-new 2022 Tundra pickup truck. Out back, they've been re-interpreted a bit, with a fenderline crease that starts just ahead of the rear door handles and continues straight back to the taillights. It's less doughy and anonymous than the old model, more aggressive—traits backed up by what's under the hood.So, What's Under the Hood?For those keeping score in the Toyotaverse, the new Sequoia one-ups the (also Land Cruiser-based) Lexus LX600 in the power department. While both large SUVs share a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6, the Sequoia's is hybridized, assisted by an electric motor. With 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, it thus bests the Lexus by 28 hp and 104 lb-ft. The hybridized six is an era away from the old Sequoia's 5.7-liter V-8, which made a paltry—by comparison—381 hp and 401 lb-ft. While we have yet to see official efficiency numbers, we can't imagine the Sequoia's hybrid powertrain won't improve on the LX's 19-mpg fuel economy; it's guaranteed to be better than the old Sequoia's mid-teens mpg.And doesn't that meaty hybrid sound like it has boat-towing power? Oh, you betcha. Toyota says the new Sequoia will tow up to 9,000 lbs, a 22% improvement over the outgoing Sequoia despite giving up two cylinders to its V-8. A Tow Tech Package, which (among other things) steers the trailer in reverse, helps alleviate some causes of towing apprehension.Don't Say Land Cruiser... Speaking of the Land Cruiser—which we swear we were just a minute ago—we found a possible explanation to the demise of Toyota's former flagship SUV (other than its relative lack of sales): The Sequoia will be available in a new range-topping Capstone trim, as recently announced for the Tundra pickup, pushing it into the old Land Cruiser's price turf. With 22-inch chrome wheels, two-tone black-and-white semi-aniline leather, and open-pore walnut wood distinguish this model from lesser Sequoias, which include Platinum, Limited and SR5 models.Another quick aside: The Sequoia shares its basic bones with the new Tundra, of course, but also with the newest Land Cruiser sold globally. While it is not a replacement for the iconic Land Cruiser 4x4, which is renowned for its off-road prowess, it is at least related to that SUV.To help fill in the void left in its lineup by the Land Cruiser and to build on the previous-generation Sequoia's off-road offerings, Toyota will once again offer a TRD Pro model, which includes Fox internal bypass shocks, a forward skid plate, multi-terrain drive modes, and Toyota's Crawl Control mode, which maintains a slow, steady speed uphill or down. You'll find plenty of TRD badging inside and out, and this version is only available with four-wheel drive.If the TRD Pro is too, uh, pro for you, SR5 and Limited 4x4 models can be had with a lighter-duty TRD Off-Road package with a locking rear differential, specially-tuned springs and Bilstein shocks, unique 18-inch wheels, as well as the terrain modes and Crawl Control from the TRD Pro package. SR5 models are also offered with an on-road-tuned TRD Sport package with 20-inch wheels, TRD-tuned springs and shocks, and aluminum pedals. Two-wheel drive is standard and part-time four-wheel drive is optional on all on SR5, Limited, Platinum, and—surprisingly—Capstone trim levels. The Sequoia once again utilizes a fully independent suspension, though since 2008 more competitors have added this feature in place of a more traditional (and pickup-truck-like) live rear axle, including the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon.Safely In Modern TerritoryAs with other Toyota models, a full safety and driver-aid package is standard, including collision detection with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and correction, automatic high beams, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assistance with automatic braking.Inside, the Sequoia is just as new and fresh-appearing. Also, like before, the dashboard and steering wheel are essentially carryover from the Tundra pickup. There is an available large (14-inch!) central touchscreen, chunky air vents, and an available digital gauge cluster. What's important here is that nothing looks like it was designed in 2007—a key step forward.Toyota will build the Sequoia at the same San Antonio, Texas, plant that assembles the Tundra. We'll have pricing and fuel economy data as we get closer to launch, which will come when the weather gets warm; Sequoias are scheduled to arrive at Toyota dealerships this summer. We're looking forward to seeing how this modernized old tree branches into the full-size SUV space, which is now chock full of relatively new contenders, including the recently redesigned Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Nissan Armada, and all-new Jeep Wagoneer.