Jeep is about to launch its first electric vehicle ever to be offered in the U.S. It rides on the same underpinnings as the new, electric Dodge Charger, but reworked for the midsize luxury SUV segment. Its size and price put it in line with cars like the gas-powered BMW X5, and it's significantly more expensive than the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq. That makes it a late joiner to a competitive and tough segment.
Can it stand out?
I can't answer that until I drive it, which I am this week. But Stellants better hope this is a win. The company is the last large U.S. automaker to launch a serious, long-range EV. It kicked things off with the Charger, but reviews were mixed. Even if that car is a success, its segment is niche, making it unlikely to be the sort of hit Stellantis needs right now.
The company just ditched its CEO after having a brutal year in 2024. It has yet to prove it can revive its many troubled brands, including Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot and others. At the same time, its longtime profit kings—Jeep and Ram—have started to hit rougher waters. Sales of the redesigned Ram 1500 are way down following a rocky rollout and a switch away from V-8s, and the all-electric Ram REV has been delayed. That means the Wagoneer S is Stellantis' only real chance to prove that it can make a compelling EV in a competitive segment.
The stakes are high. And there's plenty we don't know.
What we do know is that the Wagoneer S will initially only as a loaded Launch Edition, and that it'll offer "over 300" miles of range. Jeep has said it'll make 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque, launching it to 60 in 3.4 seconds. It also says its electronics are all watertight, a boon to off-road credibility.
It's got a 100.5-kWh battery (net) and, per Jeep, it should charge from 10-80% in 23 minutes. That's pretty quick for a big battery.
But we don't know how it drives, or whether its real-world experience can live up to its competition. We don't know how it'll stack up against the cheaper, gas-powered Grand Cherokee. And we don't know whether Stellantis has EV software solved. I'll try to talk to the team behind the Wagoneer S and get you answers.
In the meantime, what do you want to know? Drop them into the comments or shoot me an email.
Contact the author: Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com.
