Jeep Wagoneer S Takes The Jeep Brand Into the Electric Future

Sporty, athletic, modern. Who doesn’t want to feel that way? That’s the pitch Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa proposed at the vehicle’s North American introduction in New York City in late May. It’s a leap forward for Jeep, a brand steeped in steady, sure mid-century capability that has a vehicle out there for every outdoorsy type. The Jeep brand is healthy, understated, and sustainable, which gives makes it perpetually classic and cool. The two-row five seater Wagoneer S levels and freshens up its future prospects.

Jeep dipped its toe into electrification first with its plug-in hybrid Wranglers, which have earned a dedicated following among its core off-roading enthusiasts. On the other of the scale is the Wagoneer, it’s newish full sized SUV that’s gone all-out premium. Jeep has always been about the generational remix — the original Wagoneer debuted in 1963.

Wagoneer S is a melding and evolution of all the things Jeep for the 21st century. Gone are the days of wood side paneling and even chrome. Think cool, minimal faux leather and jewel toned paints. The Wagoneer S has been cooking in the foreground for some time since it was first shown in 2022. This first all -EV two-row SUV boasts 300 miles of range. The Detroit-based brand that’s part of the larger Stellantis corp says it will charge from 20 to 80 percent in 23 minutes.

Inside the cabin is dominated by a 45-inch glass UX screen that stretches across the dashboard and a 10.25-inch passenger screen that operates on the Uconnect platform the Stellantis (formerly Fiat grou) has honed over the past several decade. A standout feature in the Launch Edition is the Macintosh MX1200 Reference Entertainment System, a first for the Wagoneer S. The logo adds a gothic touch to the screen. Bob Weir of Grateful Dead fame manned the voice over explaining the ins and outs of this rich system that boasts a 24-channel amp, four door speaks, and speaker in the lift gate that are meant to harmonize with the subwoofers. I visited the Macintosh House a few blocks away and admired the full scope of this booming sound, which is its own wonderful, strange trip. I look forward to taking it on the road for a test drive in Wagoneer S.

Jeep says Wagoneer S is plenty fast and plenty capable — always a thrilling upside to well thought out EVs. It proved out its performance excellence in a televised spot out Tesla-ing the Tesla Model Y a few weeks back. Those numbers translate into 100.5-kWh battery pack that generate power to two electric motors. The Wagoneer S produces 600 horsepower and 617 lb-ft of torque and a o to 60 mile per hour time of 3.4 seconds. The S isn’t shy about the competition its chasing down — that would be the best selling EV of all time, the Tesla Model Y, and despite all the noise is what continues to drive the market.

In some ways, it feels like the 90s all over again when Jeep added the rugged luxe Grand Cherokee to its portfolio blending craftsmanship and back country vibes, and captured the idea of aspiration. Jeep started taking Lauch Edition orders today, and staged a New York Stock Exchange moment to ring a bell on the occasion of its first all out EV, which is a big deal.