The brand new Wagoneer S debuted final 12 months 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 course than these hardcore off-roaders, catering as an alternative to the mid-size electrical crossover market.
The choice to start out with a crossover appears good, provided that Wrangler and Gladiator patrons may 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 discovered over the course of the day, although, such a short style solely left me questioning extra in regards to the promised Trailhawk model coming someday later this 12 months.
In brief: Jeep’s first EV by no means aimed to take the 4×4 neighborhood by storm. As a substitute, the Wagoneer S goals to ship stable driving dynamics, loads of luxurious and tech, plus a simple transition to electrification that can appeal to commuters extra accustomed to conventional inside combustion automobiles.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV Evaluation
Smaller than anticipated, however with a spacious inside
Premium supplies and considerate design all through
Minimal wind and tire noise
Launch Version prices approach an excessive amount of
Not a lot off-road functionality
Some tech and have glitches on early manufacturing automobiles
Michael Van Runkle
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
To start out 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 present, priced at $71,995 to start out. Decrease-spec trims will arrive later this 12 months, together with the forthcoming Trailhawk variant.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
A strictly on-road drive program additionally got here as one thing of a shock to me, since early advertising 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 sooner or later for a little bit of exploration, if attainable. However even in first impressions on streets and highways, the Wagoneer S impressed me with rather more refinement than anticipated.
Dimension & Scale
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
This EV truly appears a lot smaller in individual 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.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
The trunk cargo space’s massive footprint permits for packing in loads of gear, too, even when the full 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 underneath the hood.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
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.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
Energy to Go & Cease
A curb weight that’s extra consistent with a gas-powered SUV additionally helps make this EV’s scores of 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque really feel pretty spectacular. I usually put the pedal to the metallic and simply lit up all 4 tires by sidestepping the brake pedal.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
Jeep caught with a mechanical braking system, somewhat 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.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
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 may also disconnect on the hubs for improved effectivity — although I observed an audible clunk at occasions when this occurred whereas pushing laborious or cornering.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
Is Eco Mode Greatest?
The truth is, I’ve by no means stated or written this about any automobile ever earlier than: I truly most well-liked the Wagoneer S in Eco mode. Right here, the extra progressive throttle modulation and dampened steering lowered a slight twitchy nature that saved my foot and arms on edge in Auto or Sport mode. That’s when the sunshine steering appeared to get barely overwhelmed by torque steer, and the fuel pedal’s sensitivity made holding a gradual velocity considerably troublesome.
As a plus, Eco mode in all probability helped me to maximise vary.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
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 may 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 preserve monitor of every little leg of the journey. However the vary estimates appeared legit to my eye all day, even whereas blasting round at prime velocity, uphill, into intense headwinds. I’ll want extra time with the automobile to actually check 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 each day.
Straightforward ICE to EV Transition
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
The purpose of the Wagoneer S, as a crossover, entails making the transition from ICE to EV simpler, in spite of everything. To take action, Jeep crammed the car filled with tech. Virtually too many screens, I’d say, particularly since I by no means discovered the way to activate the passenger sprint display screen all day.
However the driving dynamics cater to a extra typical expertise, too, so one-pedal mode requires choice down in just a few menu screens somewhat than turning on robotically.
Off-Pavement Efficiency
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
Nevertheless, the entire above means the Wagoneer S lacks any explicit off-road functionality. I nonetheless turned off the asphalt for possibly a mile of dust path testing, although.
By way 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 metallic or making an attempt to float with any countersteering, regardless of deciding on both Sand or Sport mode to show ESC intervention down.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV Evaluation: Conclusions
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
Jeep clearly needs 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 carefully 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 latest Juniper replace, with no second’s thought.
I left San Diego largely curious to see how the Trailhawk takes the Wagoneer S to a brand new stage. With legit tires, higher suspension, low vary, and a “locking” differential within the rear, the Trailhawk may change into an incredible soft-roading EV.
(Picture/Michael Van Runkle)
The query of how less expensive every other non-Launch Version trims wind up, after Jeep attracts the entire keen first adopters, additionally appears important 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 client eyeing a possible EV buy — even when it’s not fairly the absolutely electrical Jeep that I anticipated to reach first.