Jeep, the rugged American brand known for popularizing the SUV, finally has its own electric model for the United States. Today in New York, the company revealed the Wagoneer S, a premium two-row SUV with an estimated 300 miles of range and plenty of, shall we say, interesting design details. This includes a unique spoiler and a huge 45-inch digital screen on the dashboard.
The only version announced today is the Launch Edition, which goes on sale this fall for a starting price of $71,995. Other versions, including more affordable versions, will be announced later.
An estimated range of 300 miles and a lot, shall we say, interesting design details
Of course, this isn’t the all-electric Wrangler that was originally promised and many thought it would come first. (It’ll arrive later as the Jeep Recon.) And yes, its high price isn’t exactly what many customers are looking for right now, with slow sales and sticker shock keeping many people tied down to their gasoline engines.
But Jeep is one of the most iconic automobile brands in the United States. Its hybrid models are very popular. So people will at least be curious about the first battery-electric model.
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably already seen the Wagoneer S. It was previewed in 2022 as part of Jeep’s big “we’re going electric” event. Then, earlier this year, Jeep accidentally leaked a few photos. And finally, the company pitted a pre-production model against a Tesla Model Y in a drag race a few weeks ago. (Guess who won.)
The Wagoneer S sports many of the same specs that were first announced in 2022, with one notable exception: range. Jeep originally said the Wagoneer S would have at least 400 miles, but it now appears that estimate is off by 100 miles. Other than that, the vehicle’s specs are pretty much the same: a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain capable of 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque, a zero-to-60 mph time of around 3.4 seconds and the iconic seven-pillar grille. illuminated by LEDs.
The iconic seven-pillar grille illuminated by LEDs
Jeep has made its fans wait a long time for the release of a fully electric model. The company introduced a full lineup of electric vehicles in 2022, including an electric Wrangler. The Jeep Avenger, the company’s first BEV, went on sale in Europe last year. (More than 40,000 units have been reserved, according to the most recent data.) And the company said it aims for electric vehicles to account for 50% of sales in the United States and 100% of sales in Europe. by 2030.
In the meantime, a number of Jeep-like competitors have launched their own models, including the Rivian R1T and R1S. Scout, an SUV pioneer now owned by Volkswagen, has announced that it will unveil its first rugged model later this year. Both Ford and GM have launched their own electric trucks as well as several mid-size SUVs.
But now it’s Jeep’s turn. The five-passenger Wagoneer S will have a 100.5 kWh battery pack built on parent company Stellantis’ STLA Large unibody platform, which is one of four platforms for all of the company’s electric vehicles. (There is STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Large and STLA Frame.)
But unlike other STLA Large Platform vehicles with 800-volt architectures, the Wagoneer S will only have a 400-volt architecture, which in theory could mean slightly slower DC fast charging. But Jeep insists it will still be relatively quick, to the tune of 20 to 80 percent charge in 23 minutes.
The look of the Wagoneer S is certainly unique. The seven-pillar LED lights in the grille are sure to be conversation starters, if not downright controversial. And the cantilevered rear wing, while not Cybertruck-level strange, still takes some getting used to. Jeep fans are already speaking out in Reddit threads and on various message boards.
By electrifying its premium SUV, Jeep isn’t exactly signaling that it will be the ideal electric vehicle for off-roaders. Tellingly, the words “off-road” appear nowhere in Jeep’s six-page press release. (The company saved that for the Trailhawk concept that may or may not get built.) Still, the Wagoneer S will have its own bona fide 4xe (pronounced “four by E”) to brag about. Stellantis has invested millions of dollars developing its own electric drive modules (no, not that kind of EDM) at three different US factories to power its future electric vehicles.
And now these EDMs are used in the Wagoneer S, powering the front and rear wheels independently. According to Jeep:
The Jeep Wagoneer S 3-in-1 EDMs combine the electric motor, gearing and power electronics into one compact unit that is both powerful and efficient. The forward EDM is equipped with wheel disconnects to reduce power consumption while cruising and to help maximize range.
To make the ride as smooth and quiet as possible, Jeep engineers tweaked the body’s torsional rigidity for a 35 percent improvement over other mid-size Jeeps. The vehicle’s aerodynamics are also optimized, which is typical of an electric vehicle, with a drag coefficient of 0.29. And there are some hints at off-road capabilities, with five distinct driving modes: Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow and Sand. (I’m told Jeep recommends you select Sand when driving in deep snow and Snow when you’re looking to avoid a slide. That makes sense!)
Most notably, Jeep is betting big on interior screen real estate. A massive 45-inch glass screen spans the entire width of the dashboard, including a passenger segment – a first for Jeep. The 10.25-inch passenger display also runs on Stellantis’ Uconnect operating system and can “talk” with the main display, so passengers can share driving directions and other information.
The instrument cluster and center screen both measure 12.3 inches and also run on Uconnect. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. And while the price may put some people off, Jeep says the Wagoneer S will likely qualify for the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit, which can be applied directly at the dealership.
A lot rides on the Wagoneer S. Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa, who took over from Christian Meunier last year, has slashed prices and shifted the brand’s marketing strategy in an effort to reverse declining vehicle sales. UNITED STATES. The Wagoneer S will be a key part of Filosa’s efforts to breathe new life into the company. (Look for my Q&A with Filosa tomorrow on The edge.)
Jeep’s approach is interesting to say the least. Fighting a Tesla Model Y in a drag race, when the Tesla sells for $20,000 less, may seem to some to be an incompatible fight. A better equivalent would probably have been Rivian, but more people know about Tesla, the undisputed leader in the electric vehicle race.
Jeep is aiming for the top dog. And he thinks he can win.