Analysis: The Electric 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S SUV Debuts
The wait is over as the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S makes its debut at car dealerships, a moment some might say was long overdue. This spacious electric crossover SUV, designed for five passengers, positions itself firmly within the high-end segment of the electric vehicle market. We had the chance to test the Launch Edition, which carries a price tag of $72,000, destination fee included. Among the two available models, the one we drove boasts an EPA-estimated range of 303 miles.
Approximately 4,000 units of the 2024 model year were produced, all featuring the premium Launch Edition trim. Executives indicated that more information regarding the 2025 Wagoneer S series will be available shortly, possibly at the Chicago auto show in February. The lineup might feature an off-road-oriented Trailhawk model as well as more affordable options.
In summary, our evaluation of the electric Wagoneer revealed it to be a capable and enjoyable SUV with decent speed. However, one lingering question remained: What truly defines this vehicle as a Jeep?
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
Finally, and some might say belatedly, Stellantis, the least large of the Detroit-based car manufacturers, has introduced a mass-market electric vehicle. Previously, its only foray into the electric scene was the Fiat 500e, a compact and charmingly designed car with limited range that failed to make a significant impact. Now, the company has addressed that gap.
The electric Wagoneer S is set to debut alongside another electric vehicle from the company formerly known as Chrysler, with both launching just weeks apart. The second vehicle is the controversial Dodge Charger Daytona, a high-performance electric car designed with sound effects to mimic traditional engine noises. This model aims to bring electric vehicle performance to fans of the Hemi engine, a task that could be quite challenging.
The Wagoneer S, a high-end electric SUV that accommodates five passengers, is expected to appeal to consumers more readily. It competes in a market that already features the homegrown Cadillac Lyriq and Tesla Model Y, as well as international rivals such as the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX, and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, with additional options expected to join soon.
At the end of January, we took a 100-mile journey in a Wagoneer S through Carlsbad, a suburb of San Diego, California. The area’s mild climate and California’s widespread acceptance of electric vehicles provided a perfect setting to evaluate this new EV.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
Jeep Wagoneer S for 2024
2024 Wagoneer S: A Subdued Electric SUV Design
When viewed head-on, the classic Jeep grille with seven slots has evolved into seven fins on a solid panel, highlighted by LED lights that bring the design to life. According to the designers, this gives the vehicle a “confident face,” even with the pronounced slope from the hood to the fins. The side view maintains a distinctly Jeep-like appearance, featuring prominently displayed metal letters spelling the model name on the lower part of the front doors.
The Jeep’s distinctive style fades away at the back. It features a “4xe” emblem similar to those found on Jeep’s other plug-in hybrid models, along with sleek, continuous LED taillights. The rear window is sharply angled, but this is cleverly masked by a large roof spoiler with basket-handle design, which has vertical supports that maintain the Wagoneer S’s square, SUV-like side view. The significant space between the rear glass and the spoiler is noticeable only from specific viewpoints. This design is focused on improving aerodynamics, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.29, making the Wagoneer S the most aerodynamically efficient Jeep ever produced.
When we approached the back of the vehicle, there were no clear indicators that it was a Jeep. As we neared a dark SUV stopped at a traffic light, we initially mistook it for a Kia or the latest Honda Prologue, only to find out it was yet another Wagoneer S. This points to a lack of strong brand identification. The Launch Editions come equipped with a glass roof as standard, feature an all-black paint scheme and trim above the beltline, and include black 20-inch alloy wheels.
The interior presents a familiar narrative. The high-end materials, contrasting stitches, and array of screens suggest a luxury SUV experience. However, it’s debatable whether they truly embody the essence of “Jeep.” Ultimately, consumers will decide. A minor rugged detail is the starburst design on the matte black plastic, which appears to be replacing the overused glossy piano-black finishes often found in vehicle interiors.
The vehicle features a variety of screens, including a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, a 10-inch head-up display for the driver, a 10.3-inch touchscreen on the passenger side of the dashboard, and another 10.3-inch screen dedicated to climate control settings. While the control and entertainment software generally functioned well, there were occasional delays in loading.
On the journey, it was pleasant to have the option to adjust the air vents—take note, Rivian. However, certain controls like the window switches and lock buttons appeared surprisingly small for a Jeep, possibly due to the use of generic parts. We appreciated the optional red upholstery, which, combined with the glass roof, significantly enhanced the brightness of the interior.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S
Jeep Wagoneer S 2024 Edition
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
Fastest and most aerodynamically efficient Jeep yet
Car marketers love using superlatives, so it’s no surprise that the Wagoneer S is touted as both the most aerodynamic and the fastest Jeep to date. Equipped with two 250-kilowatt (335-horsepower) motors, this vehicle can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. This performance is a tenth of a second quicker than the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which boasts a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 707 horsepower.
The battery, with a gross capacity of 100.5 kWh, incorporates nickel-manganese-cobalt cells provided by Samsung SDI. This supply arrangement will continue until a new cell manufacturing plant, a collaboration between Stellantis and Samsung, begins operations in Kokomo, Indiana, scheduled for early 2027. The Wagoneer S features a 400-volt system but lacks the capability to charge at 800 volts, unlike many electric vehicles from Hyundai and Kia. Charging the vehicle from 5% to 80% using a Level 2 charger takes nearly seven hours. However, Jeep claims the Wagoneer S can fast-charge from 20% to 80% in just 23 minutes, assuming optimal conditions.
The Wagoneer S boasts a top range rating of 303 miles, according to the manufacturer. The specific vehicle we tested was equipped with Falken tires, which are responsible for achieving this higher mileage estimate. We did not have the opportunity to test a Wagoneer S fitted with Pirelli tires, which, according to the EPA’s website, would reduce the range rating by over 10 percent to 270 miles. At the outset of our testing, the vehicle indicated a range of just 258 miles with the battery charged to 95 percent. This was likely due to the previous aggressive driving by Jeep that influenced the range prediction, as it is based on the most recent 50 miles driven. Our test drive was too brief to provide definitive conclusions about efficiency, but we estimate the vehicle achieved approximately 2.5 miles per kilowatt-hour.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
As expected, the vehicle felt quite hefty, yet it was appropriately swift. While driving, the nearly 3-ton weight (5,667 pounds) was noticeable; however, the vehicle offered ample power for quick acceleration, particularly on steep on-ramps. The Wagoneer S primarily operates with rear-wheel drive, with the “Automatic” mode distributing power 40% to the front and 60% to the rear. Switching to “Sport” mode alters this balance to 20% front and 80% rear.
Our journey began with the vehicle set to “Eco” mode, where power is delivered entirely to the rear wheels unless the front motor is needed for grip. In Eco mode, you have to press the accelerator more to match the flow of traffic, but this setting would probably work well for most drivers. The sound emitted at low speeds to alert pedestrians is a soothing and calming hum.
The regenerative braking system in the Jeep didn’t quite meet our expectations. In the lower setting, it was barely noticeable, while in the higher setting, it felt too sudden. To put it in perspective, the maximum regenerative braking generates between 0.2 and 0.3g, whereas the minimum setting only produces between 0.04 and 0.08g, indicating a significant difference. It might be beneficial for Jeep’s drivetrain software engineers to test-drive electric vehicles from manufacturers with more experience to see how they refine their systems for a smoother experience.
Although the electric Wagoneer S isn’t the roomiest five-seat SUV available, it offers enough space for four adults to ride comfortably, and it can accommodate five if necessary. The front seats are positioned slightly higher, even at their lowest adjustment, due to the substantial battery located beneath the floor and the lowered roofline designed to improve aerodynamics.
It’s important to mention that both vehicles we tested experienced slight vibrations during certain low-speed movements. The initial car’s issue was traced back to a faulty front-axle disconnect, prompting us to switch to a different vehicle midway through the test. The second car ran perfectly until the very end when it developed a minor vibration while reversing. We didn’t receive an update on how that was resolved.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
Who is Jeep aiming for?
Bob Broderdorf, the new senior vice president at Jeep, revealed that the company intends to focus on three categories of potential customers for the Wagoneer S model. The first group includes those who currently own the 4xe plug-in hybrid variants of the Wrangler, available since 2021, and the Grand Cherokee, available since 2022. This strategy seems reasonable, although it faces challenges: (a) the concept of plug-in hybrids can be difficult for consumers to grasp, and (b) there’s uncertainty about how frequently, if at all, these owners actually charge their plug-in hybrid vehicles. This uncertainty stems from Jeep’s unwillingness to disclose data on how often their vehicles are plugged in. As a result, the interest of this group remains uncertain.
The second group consists of dedicated enthusiasts within “the Jeep community,” who value Jeeps for their unparalleled off-road capabilities and versatility. These are the folks who talk about being “Trail Rated,” discuss breakover angles, and tackle the Rubicon Trail. As for the Wagoneer S, its ability to handle off-roading wasn’t addressed during the media briefing. With only 6.4 inches of ground clearance, it’s unlikely to match the rock-climbing prowess of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe, which boasts 10.9 inches of clearance. Although Jeep ran an advertisement for the Wagoneer S featuring the phrase, “Beautiful things can still get dirty,” in this context, “dirty” seems to refer to getting slightly wet and muddy rather than rugged off-roading.
In an effort to attract customers interested in Jeep-style vehicles, executives suggested that they plan to introduce a production model based on the Wagoneer S Trailhawk Concept, which was revealed alongside the production vehicle. The Trailhawk is equipped with durable 31.5-inch all-terrain tires, boasts increased ground clearance, and includes a driver-selectable electronic rear-axle locker along with a new Rock driving mode.
Jeep is planning to focus on customers interested in electric vehicles within the same category. The gasoline-powered Wagoneer SUV has already attracted customers away from Ford and General Motors, leading Jeep to believe it can also entice owners of the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Tesla Model Y, or Rivian R1S. However, when it comes to drawing in those currently driving models from Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz, the outcome is less certain.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
Jeep executives have suggested that the Trailhawk model will eventually join the Wagoneer S lineup. This will include more affordable variants, which are expected to feature a single motor with rear-wheel drive and an extended range. Should the Trailhawk be released, attention will be focused on assessing its off-road performance and determining the impact of additional equipment and increased ride height on its range rating.
The electric Wagoneer S is constructed using the STLA Large unibody “multi-energy” platform, which also serves as the foundation for the electric Charger Daytona. It is already confirmed that the Charger will come with a gasoline-powered inline-6 engine in addition to its battery-electric Daytona variant.
Jeep executives chose not to comment on potential upcoming models of the Wagoneer S. However, regardless of the sales performance of the electric Wagoneer S, it seems probable that a plug-in hybrid gasoline model will be introduced to the range in the next few years.
In other news, Jeep has introduced a commendable electric SUV with a 303-mile range. The next challenge for the company is to successfully market this vehicle.
Stellantis covered the costs of flights, accommodation, and food to allow Green Car Reports to deliver this firsthand driving review.
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