The Jeep Wagoneer S Signals A Bold, Electric Future
This is a Jeep, yes, but not like one you’ve ever seen before. This is the much-hyped and all-new Jeep Wagoneer S, the brand’s big foray into the electric future. And, it really does look like the future, as if we fast-forwarded to 2030. In large part, that’s thanks to Jeep designers, who managed to meld the iconic, boxy shape we all know and love from Jeep with modern EV tech, refined materials, and a sleek aesthetic that hides some seriously clever design details.
On paper, the elements that grab attention are the impressive headline numbers, not traditionally associated with Jeep: “a maximum of 600 horsepower,” “0-96.5 km/h (60 mph) in 3.4 seconds,” and “max torque of 617 lb-ft.” The 1,160-watt McIntosh audio system and four enormous screens spanning across almost the entire width of the dashboard are worth experiencing.




But it’s only when seeing the fresh-yet-familiar design of the Wagoneer S and indulging in its high-end craftsmanship — both inside and out — that you can really appreciate all the cool details that make the Jeep brand’s first global battery-powered SUV a standout in its field.
Take the front grille, for example. Since it’s no longer needed to bring air into the engine, the designers were free to reinterpret the famous seven-slot fascia as an illuminated light signature. It’s a design feature inspired by modernist architecture that serves not just to look good, but to illuminate the line of sight when approaching the vehicle.



It’s a similar story with the new flush “pocket” door handles, the elegantly sloping roofline, and the massively cantilevered rear spoiler that helps give this Wagoneer a similarly rugged, boxy silhouette as its forebears. But these things aren’t just for style. Jeep is all about capability, so all of these details contribute to the vehicle’s incredible aerodynamic efficiency, which in turn helps this mid-size SUV go farther on a single battery charge, up to about 470 km if you’re looking for the max range. (For those keeping score, the coefficient of drag is just 0.29, the lowest ever for a Jeep and roughly 15 percent better than the average SUV.)
Of course, calling this new EV a Wagoneer meant it had to live up to everything that the historic name conjures up because don’t forget, the 1963 Wagoneer was a pioneer of the whole luxury SUV genre. And that it does. The Wagoneer S embodies the adventure, refinement, family-friendly versatility, and go-anywhere attitude of its predecessors, and its cabin does not disappoint. Framing the wall-to-wall screens is chiselled metal trim and stitching the colour of a nice pinot noir. The starter button is framed by a die-cast zinc metal surround, while black ceramic-coated aluminum trim features are prominently displayed throughout the airy cabin.

All of these carefully considered design details add up to give the Wagoneer S being a refined, modern, yet unpretentious vibe that is quite unlike other premium SUVs from the usual-suspect German brands. If you haven’t given it a closer look yet, you really should. We’re betting the new Jeep Wagoneer S will come as a pleasant surprise to both new and long-term fans of the brand.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEEP.