Review: The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Electric SUV Makes Its Debut
The long-awaited 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S is finally making its way to dealerships. This substantial, five-seater electric crossover SUV targets the upscale segment of the electric vehicle market. The Launch Edition, which we reviewed, is priced at $72,000, destination fee included. We tested one of its two variants, which boasts an EPA-rated range of 303 miles.
Approximately 4,000 units of the 2024 model-year were produced, each featuring the premium Launch Edition specification. Executives mentioned that information regarding the 2025 Wagoneer S series should be revealed “very soon,” possibly during the Chicago auto show in February. The upcoming lineup might feature a variety of models including the offroad-oriented Trailhawk and more affordable options.
In our review, the electric Wagoneer proved to be an efficient, agreeable, and fairly speedy SUV. However, it left us pondering its core essence: What truly defines this vehicle as a Jeep?
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
Long awaited, perhaps even belatedly
Stellantis, Detroit’s least sizable car manufacturer, has lacked a mass-market electric vehicle in its lineup. (The rather charming, yet limited-range, small Fiat 500e from two previous iterations simply isn’t sufficient.) Now, it finally has one.
The Wagoneer S, an electric vehicle, is one of two new EVs being released in close succession by the company formerly known as Chrysler. Accompanying it is the Dodge Charger Daytona, an electric muscle car that features synthesized engine sounds to appeal to traditional performance car enthusiasts. This strategy aims to win over fans of powerful Hemi engines, though it could be quite challenging.
The Wagoneer S, a luxurious electric SUV with five seats, is poised for popularity. It competes in a category that features other American models such as the Cadillac Lyriq and Tesla Model Y, alongside international contenders like the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX, and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, with additional models expected to join the fray.
In the latter part of January, we took the new Wagoneer S for a spin, covering around 100 miles in the vicinity of Carlsbad, a suburb of San Diego, California. The mild climate and the area’s significant embrace of electric vehicles provided the perfect conditions to evaluate this new EV.
2024 Model of the Jeep Wagoneer S
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Wagoneer S: A Standard Electric SUV Design
At the front, the iconic Jeep seven-slot grille has evolved into seven vertical bars on a sealed panel, complemented by LED lights that highlight this feature. Designers have described it as having a “confident face,” although there is a noticeable dip from the hood to these bars. The vehicle’s side view maintains a recognizable Jeep appearance, complete with the model’s name in raised metal letters prominently displayed on the lower front doors.
At the back, the Jeep’s recognizable design seems to fade. There is a “4xe” emblem indicative of Jeep’s range of plug-in hybrids, accompanied by slim, horizontal LED taillights that stretch across the width of the vehicle. The sharply angled rear window is skillfully masked by an oversized roof spoiler with a handle-like shape, and its vertical supports help maintain the Wagoneer S’s boxy, SUV profile. This gap between the slanted rear window and the spoiler is only visible from certain perspectives. The design prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.29, which ranks the Wagoneer S as the most aerodynamically efficient Jeep to date.
However, there was nothing about the vehicle’s design at the back that clearly identified it as a Jeep. Indeed, as we approached a black SUV stopped at a traffic light, we mistook it for a Kia or perhaps the new Honda Prologue—until it became clear that it was actually another Wagoneer S. This indicates a lack of strong brand identity. The Launch Edition models come equipped with a standard glass roof, uniform black paint and trim above the beltline, and 20-inch black alloy wheels.
Within the interior, the narrative remains consistent. The quality of materials, contrast stitching, and numerous screens suggest a luxury SUV, yet it’s debatable whether they distinctly embody the Jeep brand. Ultimately, consumers will determine their success. A notable rugged detail is the starburst design on the matte black plastic, which appears to be replacing the overused glossy piano-black finish commonly found in vehicle interiors.
The vehicle features a range of screens, such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen in the center for infotainment, a 10-inch head-up display for the driver, a 10.3-inch touchscreen on the passenger side of the dashboard, and an additional 10.3-inch screen dedicated to controlling the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The control and entertainment system’s software generally performed adequately, although it occasionally experienced delays during loading.
On the way, it was a pleasant change to adjust the air vents—a nod to Rivian—however, certain features like the window switches and lock buttons felt unusually tiny for a Jeep. Could this be a case of shared components? The available red upholstery was a hit, as it, along with the glass roof, significantly enhanced the cabin’s brightness.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Model of the Jeep Wagoneer S
Jeep’s Fastest, Most Aerodynamically Efficient Model Yet
Car marketers thrive on superlatives, and the Wagoneer S sets new standards as the fastest and most aerodynamically efficient Jeep to date. Equipped with two 250-kw (335-hp) electric motors, it boasts a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of just 3.4 seconds. This edges out the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk by a tenth of a second, despite the Trackhawk’s powerful supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine that generates 707 horsepower.
The Wagoneer S is equipped with a 100.5 kWh battery featuring nickel-manganese-cobalt cells, currently sourced from Samsung SDI. This will continue until the new battery facility, a collaborative effort between Stellantis and Samsung in Kokomo, Indiana, begins operations in early 2027. Unlike many Hyundai and Kia electric vehicles, the Wagoneer S is designed with a 400-volt system and lacks the capability for 800-volt fast charging. Charging the battery from 5% to 80% using a Level 2 charger takes nearly seven hours. However, Jeep claims that under optimal conditions, a fast charge from 20% to 80% can be achieved in just 23 minutes.
The Wagoneer S boasts an official maximum range of 303 miles, and our review model was equipped with Falken tires that supported this top range figure. We did not test the Wagoneer S with Pirelli tires, which according to the EPA, reduce the range by over 10% to 270 miles. At the beginning of our test, the vehicle displayed only 258 miles of range at 95% battery charge. This lower figure could be due to the vehicle’s previous use under aggressive conditions by Jeep, as the range display updates based on the driving patterns of the last 50 miles. Our testing period was too brief to provide a definitive assessment of its efficiency, but we estimate it at around 2.5 miles per kilowatt-hour.
2024 Model of the Jeep Wagoneer S
2024 Model of the Jeep Wagoneer S
Predictably hefty, adequately swift
When driving, the near 3-ton curb weight (5,667 pounds) was noticeable, yet the vehicle’s power was ample, providing quick acceleration for short periods, such as when merging onto uphill highways. The Wagoneer S mainly operates on rear-wheel drive, with the default “Automatic” mode favoring a 40:60 front-to-rear power distribution. In “Sport” mode, this adjusts to a 20:80 distribution towards the rear.
We began our journey in “Eco” mode, which operates exclusively on rear-wheel drive unless the front motor is needed for additional traction. Eco mode demanded more pressure on the accelerator to match the speed of other vehicles, yet it would probably be adequate for most drivers. Additionally, the noise designed to alert pedestrians at low speeds emits a soothing, meditative hum.
Jeep’s regenerative braking system left something to be desired: the weaker setting barely made an impact, whereas the stronger setting was overly harsh. Officially, the highest regenerative setting generates between 0.2 and 0.3g of force, and the lowest between 0.04 and 0.08g, indicating a significant variance. It might benefit Jeep’s drivetrain-software team to test drive a variety of electric vehicles from more seasoned manufacturers to gain insights into smoothing their system’s performance.
The electric Wagoneer S, though not the roomiest option among five-seater SUVs, adequately accommodates four adults comfortably, and can fit five if necessary. The front seats are positioned with a slight knees-up posture even at their lowest adjustment, a design choice influenced by the substantial battery beneath the floor and a lower roofline to minimize air resistance.
It should be mentioned that both vehicles we tested experienced minor tremors during certain maneuvers at low speeds. The issue with the first car was identified as a faulty front-axle disconnect, leading us to switch to another vehicle midway. The replacement car performed perfectly until a slight tremor occurred while reversing towards the end of our test. The outcome of this issue was not disclosed to us.
2024 Model of the Jeep Wagoneer S
Who is the intended audience?
Bob Broderdorf, the newly appointed senior vice president of Jeep, outlined that the marketing strategy for the Wagoneer S would focus on three specific customer segments. The first group includes current owners of the 4xe plug-in hybrid models of the Wrangler, introduced in 2021, and the Grand Cherokee, launched in 2022. This targeting strategy seems feasible, but there are a couple of challenges: (a) the concept of plug-in hybrids can be complex for consumers to grasp; and (b) it remains uncertain how frequently, if at all, these owners actually utilize the plug-in feature of their vehicles, as Jeep has not disclosed any data regarding their charging habits. Therefore, the success of this approach remains somewhat uncertain.
The second category comprises the hardcore enthusiasts within “the Jeep community,” the avid off-roaders who value Jeeps for their unparalleled ability to traverse any terrain and overcome any obstacle. Consider terms like “Trail Rated,” breakover angles, and the Rubicon Trail. Is the Wagoneer S capable of off-roading? This topic wasn’t addressed during the press briefing—and its 6.4 inches of ground clearance might not suffice for the more extreme rock-crawling that the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe (which boasts 10.9 inches) can handle. Indeed, Jeep has promoted the Wagoneer S with the slogan, “Beautiful things can still get dirty”—but here, “dirty” appears to merely suggest being slightly muddy and wet.
Company leaders suggested that to appeal to enthusiasts of off-road vehicles like Jeeps, they plan to introduce a production model of the Wagoneer S Trailhawk Concept, which was revealed concurrently with the production vehicle. The Trailhawk is equipped with robust 31.5-inch all-terrain tires, boasts increased ground clearance, and includes an electronically controlled rear-axle locker that drivers can select, along with a newly introduced Rock driving mode.
Jeep is setting its sights on customers who currently own electric vehicles in the same category. The company has seen success with its Wagoneer full-size SUV, attracting customers from rival brands like Ford and GM. Now, Jeep believes it can also entice owners of the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Tesla Model Y, or Rivian R1S to switch over. However, whether Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz drivers will be convinced to make the switch remains uncertain.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Model
Luxury Meets Jeep in Electric or Multi-Energy Forms?
Jeep leaders suggested that the Trailhawk model might soon join the Wagoneer S lineup, accompanied by more affordable options (probably including a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive model with a longer range). Assuming the Trailhawk is released, we’ll be keen to evaluate its off-road prowess and observe how its additional equipment and increased ride height impact its range estimation.
The electric Wagoneer S utilizes the STLA Large unibody “multi-energy” architecture, which is also the foundation for the electric Charger Daytona. It’s known that the Charger will come in a gasoline-powered version with an inline-6 engine, in addition to its battery-electric Daytona variant.
Jeep officials did not comment on potential future models of the Wagoneer S. Regardless of the sales performance of the electric Wagoneer S, it seems probable that a plug-in hybrid version using gasoline will be introduced to the market in the coming years.
Jeep has now introduced a competitive electric SUV with a 303-mile range. The challenge ahead is to successfully market and sell this new model.
Stellantis covered the cost of travel, accommodation, and dining to facilitate Green Car Reports’ firsthand coverage of this driving experience.
Headings:
Keywords:
Participate:
Readers also enjoyed:
Distribute This Story:
Contact the editor:
Stay Updated:
Green Car Reports Newsletter
Subscribe to receive daily updates on the newest developments in green vehicles and environmental news straight to your email!
I consent to getting emails from Green Car Reports and acknowledge that I can opt out at any time. See Privacy Policy for more details.
The design is equipped to handle driving through snowy mountain terrain, and its vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature enables it to supply electricity to various types of equipment.
2025 models of the Equinox EV lacking the Super Cruise feature could experience weaker braking performance than necessary to prevent crashes, caused by a software malfunction.
Kia electric vehicle owners will soon be able to use over 16,500 Tesla charging stations by the end of March this year, with adapters being distributed starting this January.
The design for off-road enhances the elevation and broadens the wheelbase of the electric crossover.
Reuters has indicated that Rivian’s strategy of using fewer control modules in its electric vehicles has garnered interest from automakers other than Volkswagen.
A senior executive believes that differentiating BMW’s electric vehicles from its other models is a misstep.
Tesla has officially unveiled an updated version of its older Model Y electric crossover, incorporating design elements from the company’s planned taxi model.
The final model in a series of five electric vehicles planned for Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi facility is still uncertain, just like the timeline for the plant’s shift to electric vehicle production.
SoundHound technology utilizes artificial intelligence when online, functions offline, and focuses on contextual relevance.
Hyundai and General Motors are set to enter into formal agreements to jointly develop both passenger and commercial vehicles.
The inaugural V-Series electric model is set to be Cadillac’s fastest, yet it won’t be the priciest.
Linked Content
Top Picks
Image Gallery
Updates
Press
Retailer Resources
Feed
Organization
Connect With Us Now:
