2024 Jeep Wagoneer S: A midsize Jeep that’s also an EV

There are a couple of elephants in the room we need to deal with before we get into the actual first-drive review of the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S. First, we’re aware it is now 2025, and yes, this is still a 2024 model. There were some delays getting this new vehicle out the door, so this is where we are. The 2025 model is slated to be available by midyear 2025.

Second, we agree it seems a bit odd to call this new electric SUV a “Wagoneer.” But, as Jeep explained during the press preview, this is a part of a new three-prong strategy to create luxury, mainstream and off-road arms for the brand. This isn’t a new concept, and we see something similar from Land Rover with its Range Rover, Discovery and Defender lineup.

So, Jeep says the Wagoneer S is a midsize luxury Jeep that just happens to be electric.

Top-tier model first

When people asked me about the price of the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S, there was an audible gasp across the social sphere when I said $72k. Yep, that’s a steep price tag. But this is an EV, and it is included on Jeep’s luxury arm. We were also driving the Launch Edition, which is the top-tier trim. That means it includes all the technology and options that will be available on this model. There are no additional fees or surprises, and the $72k includes destination.

So, you’ll see features such as a digital camera mirror, blind spot camera views on the infotainment screen, heated-and-ventilated seats, massaging front seats, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital gauge cluster, five drive modes, ambient lighting with 64 colors, leather seats, thigh-bolster adjustments and a front passenger screen. Standard.

At the Chicago Auto Show

in a couple weeks, Jeep will be announcing additional trims, and the brand will fill out the lineup at that time. Since it is targeting the Cadillac Lyriq and Genesis Electrified GV70 as primary competitors, we can expect base pricing to be around $60k. Lest you think that Jeep has priced the Wagoneer S above its punching weight, I’ll point out the top price of the Lyriq is $77k, and the GV70 EV tops out at $76k – both prices are without options.

The range

The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S is equipped with a 400-volt, 100 kW battery pack. It will deliver about 303 miles of all electric range on a single charge, and it will go from 20 to 80% in 23 minutes. It has up to a 203 kW charge rate.

While Stellantis has committed to the idea of using the North American Charging Standard (NACS), or the Tesla charging network, the Wagoneer S is equipped with CCS. When asked about NACS plans, Jeep execs vaguely said they believe CCS is the right answer right now and they are exploring options for the future. There was no word on whether the brand would supply a CCS to NACS converter, but Jeep did say that the flexibility of the STLA Large platform will allow the brand to adapt as necessary.

On the bright side, the price of the Wagoneer S does include either an at-home level 2 charger or $600 in public charging credits.

How it drove

The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S delivers 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque. Curious about how it stacks up against Lyriq and GV70 EV? Well those EVs max out at 515 and 483 horsepower, respectively.

So, as you would expect, the Wagoneer S is fast. It has quick accelerations because of the instantaneous torque as well as low center of gravity due to the battery. It feels fairly well balanced, and I was intrigued by how well it did on twisty bits considering it weights 5,667 pounds and is a midsize SUV.

I toggled through the drive modes and had the most fun with Sport mode, but obviously that will affect the range. So, for short drives have all the fun, but if you’re road-tripping or need to conserve the range in cold weather, Eco or Auto modes are going to be your best bet. While your throttle response will be muted, you’ll still have plenty of power.

In general, I thought the Wagoneer S was comfortable, and there was good visibility out all the windows. Frankly, it drives like you would expect an EV to drive – its fast, heavy and (for the enthusiast set) slightly numb.

A few words about the tech

There are a lot of tech goodies available on the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S. The first thing you’re going to notice when you get behind the wheel is all the screens. This has 45 inches of screenage: a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch passenger screen and a 10.25-inch comfort screen. It’s a lot. But overall, I think they work together really well.

I like the Uconnect 5 system with wireless CarPlay/Auto, and I especially appreciate the left nav menu items that allow you to seamlessly move between the native system and your phone mirroring system. The gauge cluster is customizable, and I really liked the ability to put the map behind the wheel so you can use the infotainment screen for music or podcasts. The “comfort” screen, which houses the climate and massage features is also really well done. In the down position, you have access to all the climate and massage functionality, but when you roll it up to reveal a secret cubby bin, the bottom stays down, showing the most-touched climate features.

The one screen that I’m still pondering is the passenger screen. I like the idea of it with the ability to set navigation waypoints while the car is in motion and to view all the camera angles. But it’s a bit reflective, and if you want to mirror your phone, you need to use an HDMI cord.

Outside of the screens, you have a lot of other cool tech – such as the blind-view camera display that pops up when you engage your blinker or the rear camera mirror. The biggest tech win, however, has to be a wireless phone charger that actually works. For reals. Jeep got wise to the fact that phones overheat in wireless chargers, and it added a vent to cool the pad. You know what? My phone didn’t overheat, and it actually charged. Can I get an Amen?

Another point worth noting on the tech front is that Uconnect 5 uses TomTom navigation. And when you use the native navigation to set your destination, it will tell you how long to get to your destination and what your range will be when you arrive – just like Google built-in. Unlike GBI, there is no subscription fee.

Materials and details

The interior and exterior designers spent a lot of time working on the details for this vehicle, and it shows. There is a decided lack of black lacquer, and the materials used on the dash and center console are attractive and scratch resistant. The dials and knobs feel solid to the touch, and the roll-up comfort screen doesn’t feel flimsy. I like stitching details, and the materials on the steering wheel seats feel nice under your fingertips.

The grille is an interesting study of texture and light, especially at night. The rear spoiler is going to be a point of controversy, and I’ve already seen a lot of anti-spoiler comments on TikTok. But the point of this feature is aerodynamics, and the Wagoneer S has a 0.29 coefficient of drag, which makes it the most aerodynamic Jeep ever built.

Things the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S could do better

While I generally liked the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S, there are a few puzzlers, none of which are dealbreakers. First up, for a luxury-level vehicle, I was surprised that there was no release button in the cargo area for the second-row seats. Instead, you have to hit a manual release on the seatback if you want to drop the seats to load cargo. It’s a weird oversight.

Another miss is the front cup holders. The prongs that hold your cup in place are kind of wimpy, and if you have a skinny can of soda or a smaller beverage, it will wobble and spill. A grande Starbucks will hold fine, as will a Yeti. But, speaking of the Yeti, it will not fit in the bottle holder in the door.

Finally, and this could be a weird Jill problem, I pinched my fingers on the door latches every time I opened the door from the exterior. There’s a gap between the latch and the handle, and I somehow was managing to catch the pads of my fingers between the two. A touch pad or regular handle would work better here.

Our take on the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S

I know a lot of people are going to be skeptical about an electric Jeep. They’ve already been very vocal about calling this midsize SUV a Wagoneer. And they’re also complaining about the $72k price tag. Take off the name plate and focus on the vehicle itself, and you have an EV that is well-designed and fun to drive. If you’re concerned about reliability, lease it.

Jeep will be the first to tell you it had a bit of a misstep with pricing and the sub-branding of Wagoneer. The brand is working on it. It has lowered prices, and it is working to get the word out about the three-prong strategy. In short, Jeep is figuring stuff out, but it’ll take time. I hope the Wagoneer S doesn’t suffer for it; it’s actually a luxury EV worth considering.

Editor’s note: Driving impressions in this “First Drive” review are from an invitation-only automaker launch event that allowed special access to the vehicle and executives. Jeep covered our accommodations, meals and transportation costs.