Jeep is preparing to bank its future on EVs and broader electrification moving forward. While the brand has sold the Avenger EV in Europe for the past few years, the city-focused Avenger is far from a trail-ready offering (the 4xe version will fix that) and is limited to Europe only. However, the U.S. and other markets are about to experience Jeep’s next big step in the EV segment with the 2024 Wagoneer S which not only brings electrification to the Wagoneer nameplate for the first time ever, but also shines a spotlight on how serious Jeep is about making its mark in the EV wars.
Sleek Wagoneer S styling pitches penthouse theme
Unlike other Wagoneers that have blocky styling and are reminiscent of a penthouse, the Wagoneer S is going in a different styling direction with the look being reminiscent of the Grand Cherokee. Jeep did that to help improve aerodynamics and the new styling also masks the fact that it’s shorter than the ICE model with Jeep saying it measures at 192.4 inches which is also slightly shorter than the Grand Cherokee.
The exterior styling is also similar to the GC’s but the look is more futuristic with the pinched greenhouse and narrowly raked D-Pillar being reminiscent of some of its European rivals. Its seven-slot front grille remains but since the EV does not require the same level of cooling as an ICE model, the panel is mainly for decoration but it lights up at night to help add some extra style to the SUV. The rear of the S gets a roof-mounted spoiler and a lightbar that runs from one end of the liftgate to the other.
Screens dominate Wagoneer S’s interior
A prominent theme that you’ll notice when you set foot inside the Wagoneer S’s interior is that screens will play a big role in the way that owners experience the cabin. Jeep says the SUV has 45 inches of screens with the real estate being divided between the instrument cluster, infotainment system, the passenger dashboard-mounted screen, and the climate control screen. A 19-speaker Mcintosh premium audio system is also standard on the first Launch Edition models but the space will be very familiar to buyers that have spent time in a Grand Cherokee recently.
It will be interesting to see how the tech-intense layout plays out in the minds of customers especially older buyers that might be intimidated by all the screens that are in front of them. A the same time, the high-quality materials and some of the other novel features that lurk beneath the surface might also be enough to lure in younger buyers especially those looking to make a good first impression when cruising through town.
Performance thy name is Jeep
All Wagoneer S models will come with a dual-motor setup that makes 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque with Jeep saying that it’s enough to help the EV make the sprint to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. That’s faster than a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk which made more power when it was in production and was designed to dominate track days.
Jeep’s release also didn’t reveal any trail-focused information on the Launch Edition but we suspect that’s because Jeep sees that variant as more of an on-road offering (despite the presence of snow and mud mode in the drive mode selector) and will instead leave those duties to the Trailhawk variant which also made its debut as a concept alongside the S model. In the meantime, look for this Jeep to be a segment leader when it goes on sale and the folks at Tesla should be nervous when the Jeep goes head-to-head with the Model Y.
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S starts at $71,995 which is before any fees and options are added into the mix. While the Launch Edition will be the only version available for now, Jeep will change that over the next few years as it fleshes out the lineup with new trim levels that aim to lower the price of entry for consumers.
The Wagoneer S will also not be the last word on electrification either with the model also being joined in showrooms by a growing fleet of BEVs including the trail-ready Jeep Recon which will bring EV performance into a smaller package that can go off the beaten path if needed at a more approachable price tag.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.