Photo: Tesla/ Rivian / Jeep
The big, multi-million-dollar question is simple - does Jeep have what it takes for the 2024 Wagoneer S to crack open the tough Tesla nut, especially the best-selling Model Y?
As promised, Jeep has announced its first global battery-powered vehicle, the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S luxury crossover SUV. Even better, they also prepared the Wagoneer S Trailhawk concept to show that electrics have a Moab-bound off-road future. But let's get back to the series-production EV for a moment, which is launching this fall in the United States and Canada.
These markets are the first to get this Tesla-hunting mid-size crossover SUV, which, at just 192.4 inches in length, is not only noticeably smaller than the rugged, boxy, family-oriented Wagoneer but also falls short of the regular-wheelbase Grand Cherokee! It also costs $71,995 (including destination) if you want the inaugural Wagoneer S Launch Edition, making it more expensive than anything else in the Jeep lineup aside from the $91,945 Grand Wagoneer.
Additionally, the Wrangler 4xe is $50,695, and the Grand Cherokee 4xe starts from $60,490 (both without destination), making the Wagoneer S the flagship of the electrified bunch. Sure, Jeep might soon add a $25k electric SUV to its North American lineup, according to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. But before that happens, the Jeep Wagoneer S needs to make an impact against the Tesla boogeyman. Heck, it should at least beat the $78k Rivian R1S while at it – the adventurous SUV is right up its alley with rugged credentials, at least.
Back to Tesla, it seems that Jeep studied the problem and decided it wouldn't try to be either a Tesla Model X or Model Y killer. That's because the Jeep Wagoneer S fits snuggly right in between the 187-inch mid-size Model Y and the 198.3-inch full-size Model X, as it turns out. Stellantis used the STLA Large platform that also underpins the fresh Dodge Charger Daytona and Sixpack, gifted the Wagoneer S with 600 horsepower and a 100-kW battery pack, and sent it on its merry 400-volt way.
It's too bad it's not an 800-volt model because that would have made it future-proof, and maybe it would have tipped the scales with tech-savvy buyers. As it is, there is a 300+ miles of range promised by the automaker, and a 20 to 80% recharge is done in 23 minutes. Note that companies usually talk about 10-80% SoC times because that's the sweet spot at ultra-fast DC chargers, but they would probably have tipped over the half-hour mark and decided to give us a lower figure.
Anyway, the Tesla Model Y costs $51,490 in Performance AWD trim, has 279 miles of EPA-estimated range, a top speed of 155 mph, and needs 3.5 seconds to 60 mph (96 kph), while the Jeep touts 3.4 seconds. In conclusion, the latter is a bit quicker, can drive a little more, and costs 20k more when selecting the luxurious Launch Edition. As for the Tesla Model X, the AWD model starts at $78k like the Rivian R1S and comes with a 335-mile range, 149-mph top speed, and a 3.8s sprint to 60 mph. Thus, it's slower but can drive more, and it's $6k more expensive.
Thus, now that you know the preliminary facts and figures about the 600-hp Jeep Wagoneer S, which one would you choose – Stellantis' new proposal, the smaller Tesla Model Y, the larger Tesla Model X, or the rugged and adventurous Rivian R1S? Don't forget, there's also a fresh Lucid Gravity coming, probably, hopefully.
These markets are the first to get this Tesla-hunting mid-size crossover SUV, which, at just 192.4 inches in length, is not only noticeably smaller than the rugged, boxy, family-oriented Wagoneer but also falls short of the regular-wheelbase Grand Cherokee! It also costs $71,995 (including destination) if you want the inaugural Wagoneer S Launch Edition, making it more expensive than anything else in the Jeep lineup aside from the $91,945 Grand Wagoneer.
Additionally, the Wrangler 4xe is $50,695, and the Grand Cherokee 4xe starts from $60,490 (both without destination), making the Wagoneer S the flagship of the electrified bunch. Sure, Jeep might soon add a $25k electric SUV to its North American lineup, according to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. But before that happens, the Jeep Wagoneer S needs to make an impact against the Tesla boogeyman. Heck, it should at least beat the $78k Rivian R1S while at it – the adventurous SUV is right up its alley with rugged credentials, at least.
Back to Tesla, it seems that Jeep studied the problem and decided it wouldn't try to be either a Tesla Model X or Model Y killer. That's because the Jeep Wagoneer S fits snuggly right in between the 187-inch mid-size Model Y and the 198.3-inch full-size Model X, as it turns out. Stellantis used the STLA Large platform that also underpins the fresh Dodge Charger Daytona and Sixpack, gifted the Wagoneer S with 600 horsepower and a 100-kW battery pack, and sent it on its merry 400-volt way.
It's too bad it's not an 800-volt model because that would have made it future-proof, and maybe it would have tipped the scales with tech-savvy buyers. As it is, there is a 300+ miles of range promised by the automaker, and a 20 to 80% recharge is done in 23 minutes. Note that companies usually talk about 10-80% SoC times because that's the sweet spot at ultra-fast DC chargers, but they would probably have tipped over the half-hour mark and decided to give us a lower figure.
Anyway, the Tesla Model Y costs $51,490 in Performance AWD trim, has 279 miles of EPA-estimated range, a top speed of 155 mph, and needs 3.5 seconds to 60 mph (96 kph), while the Jeep touts 3.4 seconds. In conclusion, the latter is a bit quicker, can drive a little more, and costs 20k more when selecting the luxurious Launch Edition. As for the Tesla Model X, the AWD model starts at $78k like the Rivian R1S and comes with a 335-mile range, 149-mph top speed, and a 3.8s sprint to 60 mph. Thus, it's slower but can drive more, and it's $6k more expensive.
Thus, now that you know the preliminary facts and figures about the 600-hp Jeep Wagoneer S, which one would you choose – Stellantis' new proposal, the smaller Tesla Model Y, the larger Tesla Model X, or the rugged and adventurous Rivian R1S? Don't forget, there's also a fresh Lucid Gravity coming, probably, hopefully.
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