The Jeep Wagoneer S: Launches, Power Systems, Off-Rad Capabilities, and All-Wagon Interior Screen Real Estate

The look of the Wagoneer S is very unique. The seven-pillar LED lights in the grille are sure to be a conversation starter — if not outright controversial. And the cantilevered rear spoiler, while not Cybertruck-level weird, still takes some getting used to. There are various message boards and threads in which Jeep fans are talking.

The Launch Edition is the only trim that was announced today. There are other trims that will be announced later.

Sure, it’s not the fully electric Wrangler that was initially promised and many thought would come first. The Jeep Recon is coming later. It isn’t a good idea to pay premium pricing for a product that isn’t selling as well as it could and many people are stuck with their gas engines.

The Wagoneer S will only be able to run on a 400volt architecture, which may mean slower DC fast charging. Jeep claims that it will have a charging time of 20 to 80 percent in 23 minutes.

The Jeep Wagoneer S’s 3-in-1 elms combine the electric motor, power electronics, and gear motor into a single unit that is both powerful and efficient. The front EDM is equipped with wheel disconnects to reduce energy draw when cruising and to help optimize range.

The engineers at Jeep made the ride smooth and quiet by tweaking the body rigidity of the Jeeps. The drag coefficient of the vehicle is 0.29, which is typical of an EV. And there is some indication of off-road capabilities, with five distinct drive modes: Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow, and Sand. (I’m told that Jeep recommends you select Sand when driving in deep snow and Snow when looking to avoid slippage. Makes sense!)

Most notably, Jeep is betting big on interior screen real estate. A first for Jeep, a segment for passengers is included in the glass display that stretches the width of the dash. The 10.25-inch passenger display also runs on Stellantis’ Uconnect operating system and can “talk” with the main display, so passengers can share driving directions and other information.

Jeep’s approach is interesting, to say the least. Picking a fight with a car that’s $20,000 cheaper may seem like a good idea if you’re in a drag race. Rivian is better thanTesla, the clear leader in the EV race.

Filosa said, ‘My boss says soon.’ “Obviously, its an engineering [challenge], so we need to put people [in charge of] developing the car. We have good ideas, we already had our calculation, and we strongly believe that we can get there. Strongly believe.”

Indeed, for the broader industry, the $25,000 EV has been somewhat elusive. Tesla reportedly canceled its plans for a more affordable “Model 2” vehicle at the behest of Elon Musk, who is in the process of shifting the company’s resources toward building a fully autonomous robotaxi. (Musk later recommitted to building “affordable” models while studiously avoiding referencing the $25,000 price point.)

Filosa said he was worried because the level of cost for BYD and other Chinese companies was 20–25 percent lower than his costs. I think that it will challenge us to get better.

Still, Filosa says Jeep will rise to the challenge. But how long will it take? Timing is of the essence. EV sales are still growing but at a slower pace than previous years. Buyers are more discerning. They’re looking for vehicles that are fast charging with plenty of range but also priced in a way that’s affordable. Most experts have said a $25,000 EV could help that line graph turn from a gentle slope into a hockey stick. But when it comes to exact timetables, only Tavares seems to know for now.

Unexpected — and perhaps also a little awkward. The Wagoneers S is not an affordable EV, due to its premium materials, high tech components, and impressive performance capabilities. The price for the First Launch edition is not a good price for a product meant for mass adoption.