A Closer Look At Jeep’s First EV, The Stealthy Wagoneer S
It may look like a typical Jeep, and it has a typical Jeep name, but Jeep’s first EV for Canada is unlike any Jeep that’s come before. The stealthy 2024 Wagoneer S electric SUV was unveiled at an event in Manhattan earlier this week.
And, just look at it: this is one understated EV. The Wagoneer S is unmistakably a Jeep but it doesn’t shout about the fact it’s an EV, and that’s kind of the point. Onlookers may not even realize it’s an EV until giving it a closer look, which reveals some clever aerodynamic design hacks that boost driving range.
“The launch of the all-electric Jeep Wagoneer S marks a new chapter in the storied history of the Jeep brand,” said Antonio Filosa, Jeep brand CEO. But, he also added the brand wants to continue offering customers a wide range of engines options. “With new energy in the Jeep vehicle lineup, ranging from EV to V8, customers have never had more freedom to choose their own adventure,” Filosa added.
Drivers will be happy to learn that despite its luxurious cabin and large footprint, this SUV can hustle. Two electric motors churn out 600 horsepower and 617 lb-ft of torque, enough to get this behemoth to 100 km/h in around 3.5 seconds. It may be stealthy, but it’s not slow.
Now, on to the big questions about Jeep’s first EV on Canadian soil:
How Much Will the Electric Jeep Wagoneer S Cost in Canada?
It’ll debut as a special Launch Edition model with a price tag of $91,790, including addition fees. (Canadian MSRP is $88,995.)
When (and Where) Does the Wagoneer S Hit Dealerships in Canada?
The 2024 model launches in Canada and the U.S. first, and is slated to hit showrooms in both countries in fall 2024.
Unfortunately, in Canada, the Wagoneer S will only be available in Quebec and British Columbia this fall. The company says availability will expand to other provinces later as production ramps up.
What’s the Driving Range of the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S?
Nobody outside the company has driven it yet, but Jeep is claiming an estimated all-electric driving range of over 480 kilometres for the 2024 Wagoneer S.
At least on paper then, the Wagoneer S stacks up pretty well against the electric Rivian R1S SUV in terms of driving range. The $112,000 Rivian gets drivers 435 km on a single charge; while the $117,000 model nets 507 km. Both make the Wagoneer S look like solid value.
How Big Is the Battery?
Okay, we’re getting a bit geeky here, but EV-heads will be interested to know the Wagoneer S comes with a (fairly massive) 100 kWh battery pack. It’s a 400-volt system, not 800-volt, nevertheless recharging seems fairly quick. If you find a powerful enough DC fast charger, the battery will recharge from 20 to 80 per cent in as little as 23 minutes.
The Wagoneer S is underpinned by the new Stellantis STLA Large architecture, which was designed to accommodate fully-electric powertrains.
Clever Design Hacks
It’s not easy to offer long driving range in a big, heavy electric SUV like this. Doing so required some clever aerodynamic trickery, which helps that Wagoneer S slip through the air more efficiently, thereby extending its range. And, well, we also just think it looks cool.
Take the rear wing for example. It’s blended into the body so it doesn’t look like a wing at all. The Wagoneer’s rear end looks like the usual boxy Jeep design, but upon closer inspection the rear glass has a fastback design that’s almost entirely hidden by the rear wing.
The famous Jeep seven-slot grille — that dates back to the 1940s — has been repurposed, since it’s no longer needed to suck air into the engine. As Jeep explains: “The front fascia is artfully punctuated by a reimagined, seven-slot grille, transforming the functionality of breathing to seeing.… The enclosed grille now illuminates the line-of-sight when approaching the vehicle.”
The result? A coefficient of drag (CD) of 0.29, which the company claims is the lowest ever for a Jeep and significantly better than the average gas-powered SUV.
Going Big On Luxury & Tech
There’s more than 45 inches of screen real-estate inside the cabin, which Jeep claims is best-in-class. Buyers can opt for a front-passengers screen, as well as two central screens, and a digital instrument display.
The design team decided to eschew chrome on the Launch Edition in favour of more sustainable materials, which is why the central display is framed by a cross-metal deco applique with a glazed laced pattern. The lux details don’t stop there: there’s burgundy stitched leather throughout the cabin, a new flat-bottom twin-spoke steering wheel, and a die-cast zinc metal surround on the new starter button. Lastly, for audiophiles, yes, Jeep will offer a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo system, powered by a 1,160-watt amplifier and 12-inch subwoofer. Combined with the silence of the all-electric powertrain this SUV should be like a concert hall, and we’re looking forwarding to checking it out ourselves later this year.
