First Electric Jeep SUV: Wagoneer S
While the best-selling plug-in hybrid in America is a Jeep – the popular and rugged Wrangler 4xe – so far, Jeep hasn’t offered a full-electric production vehicle on our shores. Numerous concept vehicles have teased electric Jeeps, including extreme off-road versions, and the Jeep Avenger EV is a strong seller in Europe, but so far, Americans haven’t had the chance to buy a Jeep EV. That’s about to change, with the introduction of the Wagoneer S and the Recon later this year. Scheduled to arrive this fall, the Wagoneer S is a midsize EV SUV packed with luxury and style.
2025 Wagoneer S Interior
Jeep recently released a first look at the interior of the Wagoneer S, revealing its overall cabin design and some intriguing features. Despite being smaller than the enormous (and gas-guzzling) Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer gasoline-powered SUVs, the Wagoneer S has clear links to the larger models.
Like the larger models, the sweeping dashboard integrates not one, not two, not three, but four screens – one for the instrument cluster, one for the infotainment system, one for the climate controls, and a passenger-side infotainment screen as well. More surprisingly, the interior doesn’t seem to feature any physical knobs and switches, which are still present on gasoline Wagoneers – instead, Jeep seems to have gone all-in on capacitive controls.
Clearly visible in the photos released are the dual readouts on the central screen of the optional, and upscale, 19-speaker McIntosh sound system, which also features in gasoline Wagoneers. McIntosh is one of the world’s oldest, and most high-end, audio components manufacturers, and we’d expect that the Wagoneer S to have one of the best audio experiences on the market – combining the superb clarity and power of the sound system with the silent running of an electric vehicle. Naturally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also be standard.
High-End Design and Performance
Given the branding and a likely starting MSRP that will compete with models like the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE, it’s no surprise that luxurious, high-end materials are featured. Jeep claims that the Wagoneer S will be full of “meticulously crafted artisan” details, and there’s a full-width LED light strip dividing the top and bottom half of the interior surfaces. The center console features a rotary gear selector, cupholders, and piano black trim.
While Jeep has so far been tight-lipped about the final specifications of the Wagoneer S, it has said that the flagship electric SUV will make up to 600 hp, and will be able to dash to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds – quick enough to keep up with the fastest import EV SUVs, as well as most high-end sports cars.
Wagoneer S: All-New EV Architecture
The Wagoneer S will be the first EV that Jeep, and its parent company Stellantis, sells in North America that is built on a brand new platform called “STLA Large.” This all-new architecture, which is “EV-first,” was designed to underpin a wide variety of new vehicles of different shapes, though its focus is on larger sedans, coupes, and SUVs. The same component set will also be used for the high-performance Dodge Charger EV, which is also arriving in 2024.
What’s interesting about the STLA Large platform is that while it was designed primarily for EVs – able to accommodate large batteries and electric motors – it can also be used for plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and even gasoline power. Jeep thus has the flexibility to offer solutions that incorporate internal combustion for customers that want, or need, the flexibility offered by occasional gasoline power. Potentially, a large battery with a gasoline engine acting as an on-board generator, like the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, could be offered.
Available this fall at Jeep dealerships, we expect the Wagoneer S to have a starting MSRP of around $80,000 for the best-equipped models. On first blush, its rugged exterior, luxurious interior, and high performance should make it a strong competitor in the luxury SUV segment.
