Why the New Jeep EV Could Redefine Its Segment

Jeep is one of the most traditional American automakers. They have been around for decades, developing a legacy as one of the pioneers in the world of SUVs. Their entry into the market of electric vehicles may have been slow, but with the launch of their new electric SUV, they may be able to take on the whole segment.

The new Jeep EV competes against some fierce rivals. Tesla and Rivian have some excellent electric SUVs in the form of the R1S and the Model X. It takes more than a couple of gimmicks to stand out. However, Jeep has brought out some impressive stuff in its new SUV, proving that it may just have what it takes.

We explore Jeep’s first-ever all-electric SUV, taking a deep dive into what will make it such a strong competitor. We look at its price point and standard features, its power output and how quick it is, what kind of range it has, and the level of luxury you can expect when you climb into the cabin.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Jeep websites and other authoritative sources.

The Jeep Wagoneer S Is The Brand’s First Fully-Electric Vehicle

Jeep has been teasing an entry into the electric market for some time now, and they’ve finally pulled the trigger with the Wagoneer S. While the name may lead you to believe it is just an electrified version of their existing Wagoneer, this SUV is a completely new machine. It aims to be the perfect blend of modern technology while remaining true to the brand’s long and storied history.

Building upon nearly a century of innovation and design, this first global EV will introduce a whole new generation of owners to an experience that is distinctly Jeep and 100% electric in every way. With new energy in the Jeep vehicle lineup, ranging from EV to V-8, customers have never had more freedom to choose their own adventure.

– Antonio Filosa, Jeep brand CEO.

Trims And Pricing

Jeep has kept things simple for buyers, with only one model to choose from on launch. It starts just over the $70,000 mark, meaning it’s priced up there with Genesis’ Electrified GV70 and the new Porsche Macan. Its main competitors, though, are likely to be the Rivian R1S and the Tesla Model X. While the gas-powered Wagoneer competes in the full-size SUV segment, the Wagoneer S EV is even smaller in size than the brand’s mid-size Grand Cherokee.

The Wagoneer S might be smaller than its name suggests, but it still has plenty of room for five passengers. It manages to incorporate the brand’s identity, with elements like the seven-slot grille up front, while at the same time modernizing things. It is incredibly slick, with one of the most aerodynamic profiles of any Jeep. In fact, it achieves a staggering 0.29 coefficient of drag.

Standard Features

In the last little while, Jeep has made an effort to slowly move in the direction of luxury, and this is obvious with the Wagoneer S. However, in their quest for comfort, they haven’t ignored that practicality and capability is what has gotten them to where they are today. The brand’s Selec-Terrain traction management system gives you a choice of driving modes and Jeep claims the Wagoneer S has more torsional rigidity than the Grand Cherokee.

The Wagoneer S is a modern machine, with a dashboard that is covered in screens, 45 inches of screen to be precise. There are tons of luxuries standard on the SUV from the word go, including heated and ventilated front and rear seats. Overall, it borrows many of its interior design queues from its larger gas-powered siblings, the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.

Impressive Range Without Sacrificing Performance

One of the most important metrics in the world of electric vehicles is range. It has been the main area where they have fallen behind gas-powered alternatives, particularly because it takes longer to charge than to fill up with gas. However, Jeep boasts that the new Wagoneer S has one of the longest ranges in the game, while still keeping up with the competition when it comes to performance.

Performance Specifications

The Wagoneer S makes use of two electric motors, one mounted in the front and the other in the rear, with a drive unit in each location as well. All-wheel drive is the standard setup, with the front motor featuring a disconnect function in order to reduce power consumption when not needed, which also helps with the SUV’s maximum range.

Jeep makes some bold claims when it comes to the little Wagoneer S. They say that it can make the run to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in 3.4 seconds, which is slightly behind the quickest Rivian R1S and the Model X Plaid, but still super competitive. Jeep also claims that the Wagoneer S offers better ride, handling, and response to driver input than the Grand Cherokee. For those wanting some performance off the beaten path, the Selec-Terrain system gives you drive mode options which include Auto, Sport, Eco, Snow, and Sand.

In terms of towing, Jeep’s new BEV manages to haul a decent amount. It may not live up to the ratings of some of the brands’ other gasoline or hybrid vehicles, but 3,400 pounds is still very reasonable. For comparison, the Chevrolet Blazer EV RS manages to tow 3,500 pounds.

Range, Charging, And Battery

The Wagoneer S features a 100.5-kWh lithium-ion battery which makes use of a 400-volt electric architecture. Jeep claims that when it is hooked up to a DC fast charger, it can go from 20 to 80 percent battery capacity in 28 minutes. If instead you make use of 240-volt level 2 charging, it will take a claimed 6.8 hours to go from five percent to 80 percent battery. Avoiding a 110-volt household outlet is recommended, simply because it will take an astounding 52 hours to charge the battery from five to 80 percent.

The EPA’s testing claims that the Wagoneer S is capable of 104 MPGe in the city and 90 MPGe on the highway. Its range is also estimated to be 303 miles, which is again competitive with the segment’s best performers. However, equip your Jeep with the optional Pirelli tires, and this figure drops. A Pirelli-equipped Wagoneer S manages 93 MPGe in the City and 81 MPGe on the highway, with an overall estimated range of 270 miles.

Comfort, Practicality, And Technology Are Major Priorities For The Wagoneer S

As mentioned above, Jeep has slowly started to market many of its vehicles as premium options, with a lot of them focusing on interior comfort. The Wagoneer S is no exception to this conquest. In fact, compared to some of the segment’s leaders, it offers one of the most complete and comfortable interior packages out there.

Infotainment And Connectivity

The digital real estate in the Wagoneer S is vast, with a set of screens totaling 45-inches of display. A standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster sits in front of the driver, which is also customizable. In the center of the dash you’ll find 12.3-inch touch-controlled display, with a 10.3-inch deployable climate control screen below that. In front of your passenger you’ll find another 10.3-inch display with HDMI compatibility. There is also a 10-inch heads-up display.

Comfort And Cargo

Despite being much smaller than the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, the inside of the Wagoneer S clearly takes a lot of inspiration from its bigger siblings. Of the EV SUVs on the market, it features one of the most traditional interiors, which certainly helps the transition for those still slightly dubious of EVs. Faux leather upholstery is standard and there are plenty of top-notch materials throughout the cabin. The Wagoneer S is also the first Jeep to feature an electronic door release.

Those in the front seats of the Wagoneer will be more than comfortable, with plenty of legroom, almost identical to that in the Grand Cherokee. However, the back is slightly smaller. There is a small three-cubic-foot frunk for you to store bits and bobs, with the rear cargo hold featuring 30 cubic feet of space behind the second row.