The brand new Wagoneer S debuted final yr as the primary all-electric Jeep in historical past, aside from full-on prototypes proven off at Moab and SEMA. By lastly delivering upon the promise of the 4xe nameplate — beforehand seen solely on hybrid fashions — Jeep takes a distinct path than these hardcore off-roaders, catering as a substitute to the mid-size electrical crossover market.
The choice to start out with a crossover appears sensible, on condition that Wrangler and Gladiator patrons would possibly nonetheless really feel hesitant to decide to charging challenges and vary anxiousness. So, to show the brand new EV’s highway manners, vary, and efficiency, Jeep invited choose media to a drive program round San Diego in a fleet of Wagoneer S Launch Editions.
As I realized over the course of the day, although, such a short style solely left me questioning extra concerning the promised Trailhawk model coming someday later this yr.
Briefly: Jeep’s first EV by no means aimed to take the 4×4 group by storm. As an alternative, the Wagoneer S goals to ship stable driving dynamics, loads of luxurious and tech, plus a simple transition to electrification that can entice commuters extra accustomed to conventional inner combustion automobiles.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV Overview
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Smaller than anticipated, however with a spacious inside -
Premium supplies and considerate design all through -
Minimal wind and tire noise
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Launch Version prices approach an excessive amount of -
Not a lot off-road functionality -
Some tech and have glitches on early manufacturing automobiles

To begin with some clarification, Jeep calls the brand new Wagoneer S a 2024 model-year car. And early deliveries started over the vacations, regardless of the media drive following in late January. Clients can solely buy the Launch Version at the moment, priced at $71,995 to start out. Decrease-spec trims will arrive later this yr, together with the forthcoming Trailhawk variant.


A strictly on-road drive program additionally got here as one thing of a shock to me, since early advertising and marketing materials appeared to prioritize proving the purpose that Jeep’s first EV is, in truth, an actual Jeep.
So, I deliberate to enterprise off the prescribed route in some unspecified time in the future for a little bit of exploration, if doable. However even in first impressions on streets and highways, the Wagoneer S impressed me with rather more refinement than anticipated.
Measurement & Scale


This EV really appears a lot smaller in particular person than in ads, but the electrical powertrain packaging permits for a surprisingly spacious inside. At 6’1” with lengthy limbs, I stretched out simply in the back and front seats.


The trunk cargo space’s massive footprint permits for packing in loads of gear, too, even when the whole cubic footage measurement drops a bit due to the low-sloping rear window. As a plus, a small frunk permits for a little bit of safe storage below the hood.


Such a compact platform permits the Wagoneer S to tip the scales at simply 5,667 kilos. That’s about 1,500 kilos lower than the a lot bigger Rivian R1S, for context.


Energy to Go & Cease
A curb weight that’s extra in step with a gas-powered SUV additionally helps make this EV’s rankings of 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque really feel pretty spectacular. I often put the pedal to the steel and simply lit up all 4 tires by sidestepping the brake pedal.


Jeep caught with a mechanical braking system, reasonably than brake-by-wire — as seen on another EVs — so stepping on the brake and “throttle” concurrently doesn’t trigger any bogging software program to get in the way in which of a tough launch.
The 2 electrical motors technically match one another, at 250 kW every. However, Jeep’s drive mode programming prioritizes energy supply to the rear.


In Sport mode, for instance, the pc sends 80% to the rear and simply 20% to the entrance. That ratio doesn’t change whereas driving, although it does in Auto, Eco, Sand, and Snow modes.
The entrance wheels can even disconnect on the hubs for improved effectivity — although I observed an audible clunk at occasions when this occurred whereas pushing laborious or cornering.


Is Eco Mode Greatest?
Actually, I’ve by no means mentioned or written this about any automotive ever earlier than: I really most popular the Wagoneer S in Eco mode. Right here, the extra progressive throttle modulation and dampened steering diminished a slight twitchy nature that saved my foot and fingers on edge in Auto or Sport mode. That’s when the sunshine steering appeared to get barely overwhelmed by torque steer, and the gasoline pedal’s sensitivity made holding a gradual velocity considerably troublesome.
As a plus, Eco mode most likely helped me to maximise vary.


EV Vary
It’s spectacular that Jeep can squeeze an EPA-estimated 303 miles of vary out of that 100kWh battery pack. Once more, for context, a Chevy Silverado EV would possibly do 480 miles or extra of real-world driving on a single cost, however the battery capability greater than doubles the Wagoneer S. A smaller battery means much less weight, which additionally helps vary, whereas lowering the complexity and beefiness of different driveline componentry, too.
Leaping between automobiles and charging at stops, I couldn’t scientifically maintain observe of every little leg of the journey. However the vary estimates appeared legit to my eye all day, even whereas blasting round at high velocity, uphill, into intense headwinds. I’ll want extra time with the automotive to really take a look at the claimed vary and quick cost occasions.
Vary issues to patrons, in fact, and barely stepping over 300 miles ought to do the trick for nearly anybody who commutes day by day.
Straightforward ICE to EV Transition


The purpose of the Wagoneer S, as a crossover, includes making the transition from ICE to EV simpler, in spite of everything. To take action, Jeep crammed the car stuffed with tech. Nearly too many screens, I’d say, particularly since I by no means found out methods to activate the passenger sprint display all day.
However the driving dynamics cater to a extra typical expertise, too, so one-pedal mode requires choice down in a couple of menu screens reasonably than turning on routinely.
Off-Pavement Efficiency


Nonetheless, all the above means the Wagoneer S lacks any explicit off-road functionality. I nonetheless turned off the asphalt for possibly a mile of filth path testing, although.
By means of some mild ruts and gravel, the suspension lacked a lot in the way in which of compression or droop damping. And I overwhelmed the traction management simply by placing the pedal to the steel or making an attempt to float with any countersteering, regardless of choosing both Sand or Sport mode to show ESC intervention down.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV Overview: Conclusions


Jeep clearly desires to financial institution on model loyalty with the Wagoneer S. Therefore, all of the design particulars and badging that harken to different fashions.
However pricing appears to current a problem, as by way of vary, styling, and fancy options, the Wagoneer S seems to compete most intently with Chevrolet’s Equinox and Blazer EVs. However each of these choices begin at simply over half as a lot because the MSRP for a Wagoneer S Launch Version.
Even a Kia EV6 GT or a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (the latter with an off-roady model on the way in which) costs out much less. But I’d take a Jeep Wagoneer S over a Tesla Mannequin Y, regardless of the current Juniper replace, with out a second’s thought.
I left San Diego largely curious to see how the Trailhawk takes the Wagoneer S to a brand new degree. With legit tires, higher suspension, low vary, and a “locking” differential within the rear, the Trailhawk would possibly grow to be an incredible soft-roading EV.


The query of how less expensive every other non-Launch Version trims wind up, after Jeep attracts all the keen first adopters, additionally appears vital for the recognition of the Wagoneer S. The drive in San Diego definitely proved this little electrical crossover lives as much as most of the most important expectations of any shopper eyeing a possible EV buy — even when it’s not fairly the absolutely electrical Jeep that I anticipated to reach first.