Say hello to the all-new and all-electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S. Not only is the Wagoneer S being touted as the quickest-accelerating Jeep to roll off the production line, but it will also mark Jeep’s debut in the global battery electric vehicle (BEV) market, following the limited release of the much smaller Avenger in Europe and other select markets. Jeep has an ambitious target of shifting a million units in the U.S. by the end of 2025 and two million globally. The Wagoneer S is an important part of that plan, offering a premium SUV that rides on the EV-native SLTA-Large platform. Jeep clearly has the Tesla Model Y Performance in its sights — something that was made patently obvious with promo material earlier this month. However, with an MSRP of US$ 71,995, it’s significantly more expensive than the flagship US$ 51,490 Model Y Performance (before incentives), placing it closer to the base US$ 77,990 Model X, so the Wagoneer S will need to offer something pretty special to tempt buyers away.
In order to take the fight to Tesla, the
midsized electric SUV boasts a range of “more than”482 km thanks
to a 100 kWh battery. So far so good, with the Model Y Performance only
managing 449 km. The Wagoneer S can be recharged from 20–80 percent
in 23 minutes via a DC fast charger, and launch models will even be supplied
with either a 48-volt Level 2 home charger or public charge credits from
Stellantis’ Free2move ecosystem. Coming in at 4,886 mm long, 2,123 mm wide, and 1,645 mm tall, the Wagoneer S
will be available in just one configuration at launch. It features a single
electric motor with 600 horsepower and 837 Nm of torque.
Power is sent to all four wheels, but, perhaps tellingly, off-road ability
isn’t touched upon in the slightest. Instead, we’re told how the Selec-Terrain
drive modes instill confidence in all weather and that the front wheels can be
disconnected when cruising to help extend range. To handle any rough stuff
we’ll have to look towards the Wagoneer S Trailhawk Concept that was also
revealed today.
More important than off-road chops to the
standard Wagoneer S is the ability to get to 96 km/h in as little time
as possible. For this, the 2,570 kg behemoth can get there in just
3.4 seconds (with the rollout subtracted), and on to a top speed of 200 km/h. Jeep says it’s not just the power on offer that aids the Wagoneer S
in these impressive numbers. The EV has the lowest drag coefficient of any Jeep
ever made. While that’s somewhat of a slab-sided low bar to clear, when you
consider the Wrangler has a Cd of 0.45 and the Wagoneer S has managed to get it
down to 0.29—the same as a Tesla Model 3—you’ll realize it’s actually quite
impressive.
Jeep has achieved this slippery brick of
an exterior by focusing on the precise slope and curvature of the hood and
windshield. Look again, and there’s an ever-so-slightly sloping roof underneath
that rear spoiler, as well as subtle fins to further enhance airflow. The door
handles are flush with the body, yet another win for the wind tunnel. Extra
attention has been paid to the car’s underside, with underbody shields and tire
spats, all ensuring that no needless pockets of air are present. Another
exterior component of note is the traditional seven-slat grille. Jumping on the
“illuminate all of the things” bandwagon, it’s now lit up. The light-up theme
extends to the interior, with 64 selectable colors for the ambient lights
inside, while the launch edition will come with a full suite of customizable
LED lights with daytime and nighttime options.
Other Launch Edition niceties include
20-inch Gloss Black wheels and a dual-plane glass sunroof as standard. Chrome
is eschewed, apparently for environmental reasons, leaving the exterior
festooned with gloss black and dark neutral grey elements instead. Another tool
that Jeep will use in its fight for EV relevance is some of the
segment-exclusive interior features, such as heated and ventilated second-row
seats. Jeep’s long-time association with McIntosh Audio continues with another
segment-only offering for a mid-sized SUV: a 19-speaker sound system driven by
a 1200-watt amplifier and a 12-inch subwoofer.
The interior, including the carpets, has
been made of recycled materials. Gone are the days of expansive cowhide
interiors. Instead, we get a non-leather synthetic used for the seats,
consoles, and door cards, as well as a microfiber suede headliner. The Wagoneer
S’s infotainment system is powered by Jeep’s Uconnect 5 system, with a
10.5-inch screen placed ahead of the passenger and three more displays inside —
one dedicated for the driver and another two placed in the center. Meanwhile,
Jeep promises OTA updates for the car’s software, while Jeep Connect can show
you recharge points, and dynamic range overlays on the onboard map.
But at US$ 71,995 (including destination
fees), has the Wagoneer S done enough to differentiate itself from the crowd?
The good news is that the Wagoneer S will qualify for the Inflation Reduction
Act Retail and Lease EV credits. Jeep hopes you’ll vote with your dollars when
the car launches in the U.S. and Canada in the Fall of 2024, with global
deliveries commencing after that.
