The Jeep Wagoneer S Will Break Your Brain: First Drive Review

The only thing I could think when I climbed out of the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S was that I was somehow broken. The $73,590 Launch Edition shoved my chest and shoulders so aggressively into the seat back that it quashed any need for an exhaust note—which is saying something, as someone who still loves the sound and feel of a combustion engine.

Despite its size and positioning as a luxury SUV, the Jeep Wagoneer S accelerates like a supercar. It has two electric motors pumping out 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque, which sends it to 60 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds. On top of that, you still get five seats, a 19-speaker audio system, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic sunroof, four screens, and a whole host of amenities.

What more could people want?

The Wagoneer S benefits from a traditional battery-electric layout. It has a 100.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack in the floor and two electric motors sending power to all four corners. That configuration makes for a low center of gravity and a near 50:50: weight balance—perfect for bombing around the curvy roads just outside San Diego.

Granted, this isn’t a sports car. The passive suspension—strut front and multi-link rear—is eager to remind you that you are still driving a Jeep; it doesn’t coddle you when the roads get rough. That’s not a feeling everyone wants to experience. This large SUV would definitely benefit from an adaptive setup.

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Yet, the Wagoneer S never felt harsh or unpleasant when I was hammering it. Even in the swiftest of curves, it remained poised and comfortable, shrinking around me. Only when I looked in the rearview mirror was I reminded of this vehicle’s size. The steering never felt like it was hampered by the 6,700-pound curb weight, happily translating my inputs without fuss. I was never concerned it wouldn’t go where I wanted it to.

The Wagoneer gets up to 303 miles on a charge when equipped with the 20-inch Falken tire, but the range drops to 270 miles with the optional Pirelli rubber. My tester had 251 miles of indicated range at the start of the drive with a topped-off battery, and I chewed through about 130 miles over the 117-mile trip. Regenerative braking returned about four miles on a single downhill stint while keeping the SUV at speed. Not bad.

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Pros: Fast, Functional, Comfortable

Jeep didn’t get weird with the Wagoneer S’s cabin, which is a good thing. Nothing about the interior screams, “LOOK AT ME; I’M AN EV.” The software does have some of the EV touches you’d expect and need—like quick directions to charging stations—but it’s a typical user experience otherwise.

Drivers get a 12.3-inch display that’s easily visible through the squircular steering wheel. A 12.3-inch infotainment display with Uconnect 5 sits above the 10.3-inch climate control panel that pushes out of the way to reveal a small cubby with USB-C charge ports. There’s also a 10.3-inch passenger display.

None of the controls felt gimmicky. The rotary gear selector was nice in hand, with a cold metallic finish. It sits next to the simple-to-use drive mode selector switch—Auto, Sport, Eco, Snow, and Sand. It has a row of touch-sensitive buttons below the infotainment screen for less-used functions like the cameras and traction control. 

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Cons: Expensive, Heavy, Limited Ground Clearance

“What we really wanted to do was make sure this was familiar,” said David Partlow, the Wagoneer S’s vehicle development director. “Just because you’re driving a battery-electric vehicle doesn’t mean you want something different.”

Jeep also made sure the Wagoneer S looked like a Jeep. It has a reimagined seven-slot grille and a posture that is surprisingly slippery. Jeep claims the S has a 0.29 drag coefficient. The flush door handles, which don’t pop out and instead hide a recessed button, help, as does the rear spoiler large enough to stick your arm through. The hatch has a dramatic slope hidden by the wing, but the styling doesn’t compromise interior cargo space. It’s on par with competitors like the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Acura ZDX at 30.6 cubic feet. 

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Consumers will have to answer if the Wagoneer S is worthy of the Jeep badge—and until we take it off-road, that remains to be seen. Plus, there’s the hurdle of converting gas-loving SUV consumers to EV faithful. But look past those problems and it’s hard to overlook how much fun the Wagoneer S is to drive.

This Jeep almost has too much power for the average consumer. But that type of acceleration—especially at this price—is impossible for anyone to ignore. The Wagoneer S feels like an excellent value for the power and features you get.

That’s hard to wrap one’s mind around. 

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Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

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