Jeep’s electrification plans are accelerating with the introduction of the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S, the brand’s first electric vehicle for North America. Scheduled to arrive at dealerships this fall, the Wagoneer S represents a significant departure from the brand’s traditional SUVs, featuring a sleek, aerodynamic design and a luxurious interior.
The Wagoneer name carries significant weight in Jeep lore, alongside the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. The original Jeep Wagoneer was a pioneer in the luxury SUV segment, and the name has been revived for a modern sub-brand that includes the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, two leviathan gas-guzzlers that debuted as 2022 models. However, the Wagoneer S shares little resemblance to these SUVs beyond the name.
Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa explained that the brand opted to launch the Wagoneer S first, ahead of the more traditional-looking Recon, due to its better business case. The Wagoneer S is the right size for markets outside the U.S. and requires fewer new arrangements with suppliers, making it a more financially viable choice. Additionally, the Wagoneer S will be the first Wagoneer sold abroad.
In contrast to the boxy design of the gasoline-powered Wagoneer models, the Wagoneer S exhibits a streamlined shape that bears some resemblance to the recently discontinued Jeep Cherokee. Jeep’s design boss, Ralph Gilles, emphasized that the goal was to maximize aerodynamic efficiency without sacrificing the vehicle’s aesthetics. To enhance aerodynamics, the Wagoneer S incorporates a prominent rear wing inspired by Fast and Furious movies. Despite these efforts, Jeep has retained the brand’s signature seven-slot grille, albeit with an illuminated treatment to highlight its electrified nature.
The Wagoneer S is built on the STLA Large platform, which it shares with the Dodge Charger Daytona from fellow Stellantis brand Dodge. However, Jeep claims to have tailored the platform’s dimensions specifically for the Wagoneer S. The result is an SUV that matches the height and width of a Tesla Model Y but is noticeably longer. Despite its size, the Wagoneer S does not offer a significant advantage in headroom, legroom, or cargo space compared to the Model Y, which also features a larger frunk.
The initial batch of Wagoneer S models to reach dealerships will be Launch Edition models equipped with a standard dual-motor powertrain delivering 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque. Jeep claims this powertrain propels the Wagoneer S from zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, making it the brand’s quickest production model to date. This acceleration time is 0.1 second quicker than a Tesla Model Y Performance, but the Wagoneer S Launch Edition has a higher base price of $71,995.
As befits a Jeep, the Wagoneer S offers some degree of off-road capability. It features a version of the Selec-Terrain system found in gasoline and plug-in hybrid Jeep models, with Auto, Sport, Eco, Snow, and Sand drive modes. However, the Wagoneer S’s 6.4 inches of ground clearance falls short of the Subaru Crosstrek’s. At the Wagoneer S reveal, Jeep showcased a concept version dubbed the Trailhawk, which featured lifted suspension and more aggressive tires, but it is not yet confirmed for production.
Jeep estimates that the Wagoneer S’s 100.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack will provide more than 300 miles of range on a single charge. The Wagoneer S operates on a 400-volt electrical system, unlike the 800V systems used in some EVs, but Jeep anticipates that a 20% to 80% DC fast charge will take approximately 23 minutes. Launch Edition models come standard with a 48-amp Level 2 AC home charger, which can charge the battery from 5% to 80% in an estimated 6.8 hours.
The Wagoneer S’s interior is dominated by a trio of digital displays: a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. A 10-inch head-up display is also available. Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as over-the-air updates. Launch Edition models boast a premium 19-speaker McIntosh audio system as standard.
The high level of standard equipment is indicative of the Wagoneer S’s positioning as a luxury vehicle, rather than an ordinary Jeep. This is further reflected in the cabin’s use of upscale materials, such as ceramic-coated aluminum trim. In an effort to promote sustainability, Jeep has opted for synthetic leather upholstery, a recycled headliner and carpets, and has avoided using wood trim to impart a more modern aesthetic.
While the Wagoneer name implies a high level of luxury, the Wagoneer S may face challenges competing with the likes of the Tesla Model Y and other similarly sized electric SUVs that are priced below it. Jeep has a more distinctive EV in the pipeline in the form of the Recon, which draws inspiration from the brand’s iconic Wrangler and might have been a more fitting choice to debut Jeep’s electric vehicle lineup.
