There’s a new electric SUV hitting the market. Until recently, the only real SUV-sized electric vehicle was the Rivian R1S. Now, we have more options with the introduction of the Kia EV9 and the latest, the Jeep Wagoneer S. Announced initially in 2022, we now have much more information about this new entry, which is set to be available later this year.
The Jeep Wagoneer S isn’t aiming to be the most budget-friendly electric SUV, but it does look to push the upper end of the market by competing with models like the Rivian R1S. If you’re wondering whether the Wagoneer S might be the electric SUV for you, here’s what we know so far.
In terms of design, the Jeep Wagoneer S won’t surprise you with anything revolutionary, but it certainly has a modern, sleek appearance. It looks more polished than the current Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models and has a vibe reminiscent of contemporary Range Rovers. The vehicle features long, slim light bars at the front and back, a two-tone color scheme, and a large rear spoiler. While the design might be a bit divisive, I find it appealing, even without seeing it in person.
Measuring at 192.4 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width, and 64.8 inches in height, with a 113-inch wheelbase, the Wagoneer S is smaller than the Rivian R1S, which is longer, wider, and taller.
Currently, Jeep has only introduced one trim level for the Wagoneer S, called the Launch Edition. We’ll have to wait to see if they release other trims with different designs.
The interior of the Wagoneer S also exudes luxury. Based on the photos shared by Jeep, the interior features different color options, including a vibrant red for the seats. The standout feature inside is the massive 45-inch digital display stretching across the dashboard. This display is divided into sections, with the main area serving as the infotainment screen and another area designated for the front passenger. There’s also another display below for controlling climate and other functions. The vehicle supports CarPlay and Android Auto, running on Stellantis’ Uconnect operating system. We’ll need to see how well the software performs across these screens in real-world settings.
Although the Wagoneer S only has two rows of seats, its dimensions suggest a spacious interior for the passengers. We’ll have to test it in person to confirm.
Performance-wise, the Jeep Wagoneer S doesn’t disappoint. It features two electric motors – one for the front wheels and another for the rear – delivering a hefty 600 horsepower. Jeep claims it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 3.4 seconds.
While this is the only trim level available at launch, we expect lower-powered, more affordable versions to be released later, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
Jeep has stated that the Wagoneer S will offer over 300 miles of range, although an official estimate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is still pending. We hope it meets or exceeds this range, especially considering its price point.
Built on a 400-volt architecture, the Wagoneer S won’t feature ultra-fast charging like some vehicles such as the Kia EV9. However, Jeep says the vehicle can charge from 20% to 80% in just 23 minutes, which is still quite fast. The exact maximum charging speed hasn’t been disclosed yet.
You can reserve the Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition now, but deliveries won’t start until later this year. The exact delivery date and pricing details for lower-cost trims are still unknown, though the Launch Edition starts at $71,995.
We hope the Wagoneer S achieves a 300-plus-mile range as estimated by the EPA and that Jeep releases lower-cost trims that maintain similar range, possibly by compromising some premium features and performance. Additionally, we’d like to see an off-road version and software that is both responsive and well-designed, though that might be a more ambitious wish.