2025 Jeep Wagoneer S

 

 

Test Vehicle:  

 

2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition 4XE

Powertrain:  400V G250kW Front / Rear Electric Drive Motors

Exterior Color: Hydro Blue Pearl

Interior Color: Neo Ultra Lux  Leather

Options: Customer Preferred Package 25E- Luxury Group ($595), 

MSRP as tested: $72,790 With Delivery/Destination

 

Pros: Power & Performance, Standard AWD, Fast Charging, Modern / Comfortable Interior

Cons: Glitchy Technology, High Price, Visibility

 

New for 2025, the Jeep Wagoneer S is a five-passenger midsize all-electric crossover that is smaller than a Grand Cherokee, but bigger than a Cherokee. This is Jeep’s first all-electric model that expands on the plug-in hybrid 4xe line of vehicles. The Wagoneer S offers a more contemporary design that is more conventional than the otherwise boxy, truck-like Jeep vehicles. Known for its impressive performance, the Wagoneer S delivers 600 horsepower with 617 lb.-ft. of immediate torque for lightning-quick 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds. Standard, all-electric, four-wheel drive is powered by an efficient 400-volt, 100-kilowatt-hour battery pack that allows owners to charge the vehicle from 20-80% in 23 minutes with a DC fast charger. It gets an estimated driving range just shy of 300 miles under ideal conditions. 

 

Buyers had the choice of two models for 2025 that include the Limited and Launch Edition. Limited models start at $65,200 while Launch Edition models start at $70,795.  Positioned as a more luxurious crossover, its competition includes other midsize electric crossovers such as the Cadillac Lyriq, Audi Q6 e-tron, Genesis Electrified GV70, and Tesla Model Y.  I spent a week in a Hydro Blue Pearl Launch Edition that checked in at $72,790 and here’s what stood out…

 

 

Exterior:

The Wagoneer S presents a distinct design difference from traditional Jeep boxy-SUV styling while retaining some brand cues.  The overall style is sleeker with curves, flush door handles, and lower roofline.  Up front is a modern take on the traditional seven-slot grille with an illuminated LED lighted grille that still mimics the seven slots. It looks premium up front and there’s no question it’s a Jeep at night. Both the hood and windshield have a more noticeable curve and slant to them to maximize aerodynamics and range. It has a wide, athletic stance that looks lower than most Jeeps. Actual ground clearance is 6.4 inches which is about 2 inches lower than the 5-passenger Grand Cherokee. 

 

Its side profile is simple and clean with a cantilevered rear spoiler, squared wheel arches, and smoothly integrated details to contribute to a more aerodynamic design. Chrome accents and extra cladding are kept to a minimum for a cleaner, more modern design. My test model came with the two-town roof option that gives the black roof a ‘floating’ appearance. Around back are LED taillights that stretch across the hatch much like other Jeep SUVs. The noticeably raked rear hatch window directs air downward for aerodynamics but creates some visibility challenges from inside. It’s available in seven color options with all but white costing a $595 premium. The overall design is on par with other electric crossovers on the road with some unique Jeep touches. It’s not a standout in the parking lot but is also not polarizing. 

 

Wheels:

Standard 20” alloy wheels are wrapped in 235/50R20 XL all-season tires. The 20-inch diameter is a reasonable balance between style and practicality. They are large enough to give a premium look, without going so large that you lose too much comfort or pay severely in ride harshness. The design complements the rest of the exterior and is available in either a painted gray/silver aluminum wheel on the Limited or a full black five-star aluminum wheel on the Launch Edition. Given the vehicle’s performance potential and weight, the setup is more conservative. If you’re after sharper handling, more aggressive driving, or better braking/ traction feel, the stock setup may feel like it leaves some performance on the table. Upgrading tires or even wheels is a viable path,  but be mindful of the trade-offs such as cost, ride comfort, efficiency.

 

 

Power & Performance:

The Wagoneer S has been one of the most powerful EVs driven to date. Unexpectedly, hitting the gas pedal will literally launch this heavyweight (5,700 pounds) with some squealing tires and tracks left behind. Powered by an  efficient 400-volt, 100-kilowatt-hour battery pack, it delivers 600 horsepower  with 617 lb.-ft. of immediate torque. That’s enough power to send it from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. It’s a guaranteed surprise and thrill for any passengers thinking they’re just hopping in your run of the mill crossover. It is on par with the famed Jeep Trackhawk which clocks a 3.5 second 0-60 time. Along with this power is the Wagoneer S’ capability to tow up to 3,500 pounds providing mixed uses for this electric crossover. 

 

All-electric four-wheel drive is standard along with Jeep’s’ Selec-Terrain management system. Electric drive modules independently power the front and rear wheels for instant torque response, while the Jeep brand-exclusive Selec-Terrain traction management system features five distinct driving modes: Auto, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand. The various modes give owners flexibility, which is particularly beneficial in the Midwest winters.  Sport mode is engaging and the most fun if you want to experience all the power.  Opt for Eco for the most efficiency as it dulls down the throttle response and steering feels less reactive. 

 

 

Handling:

Impressive performance specs aside, the Wagoneer S is not nearly as nimble and agile as many other 600 horsepower vehicles. On the plus side, it feels very stable and planted to the pavement. However, steering is less direct and feels a bit disconnected from the road.  There’s a lack of steering feedback that may make some drivers uneasy in quick lane-changing type of maneuvers.

 

Ride quality is impressive as it rides smoothly over all terrains. The suspension keeps the passengers at ease on longer rides that are meant for cruising and not a spirited ride. For an SUV of its size and weight, the braking between 0-60 and the electric drive gives a crisp feel in straight-line performance.

 

The Wagoneer S delivers competent and decent handling for its performance class. For many users who want strong acceleration, SUV comfort, and a premium electric feel, it will feel solid and satisfying.

However, it does not quite reach the handling refinement of the best sporty electric SUVs or luxury crossover benchmarks. The weight, steering tuning, body control, and tire/traction setup introduce a few compromises. If you plan to drive aggressively or value razor-sharp agility, this is one to test carefully.

 

 

Fuel Economy:

With a 100.5 kWh battery pack, the Wagoneer S has an estimated driving range of up to 294 miles on a full charge (in ideal conditions).  During warmer months with the AC on I saw the range indicator in the 260-270 range. It falls in the middle, but higher middle, of the range for EVs of this size. Taking the amount of performance power into consideration, the range is actually quite good. Overall efficiency is rated at 93 MPGe. When you choose larger wheels, more aggressive tires, or drive more aggressively (Sport mode, high speeds), range will drop more rapidly than the ideal figures. 

 

Charging times are impressive as it will get from 20%-80% in around 20 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger. I did in fact experience this quick charging capability. If charging at home on a 240V Level 2 charger, you can expect it to get from 5% to full charge in around 7 hours. As with all electric vehicles, actual times vary depending on charger capability, battery state, temperature, initial charge level, and charger network availability.

 

The Wagoneer S delivers strong and competitive range/charging numbers for a premium two‑row electric SUV. If you compare it to many contemporary EVs, it hits the sweet spot for daily range (~250‑300 miles) and fast charging supports relatively quick road trips.

 

Interior:

Hopping inside, the interior design emphasizes digital integration with four large display screens: digital cluster, main touchscreen, climate control screen, and even a passenger‑side display in some configurations. The layout feels very similar to the Grand Wagoneer  with premium touches such as stitched panels, suede headliner, contrasting accent stitching, and an ambient lighting strip with many color options.  The focal point of the front cabin is a cross-car wing sculpture with a visually continuous display that spans the entire width of the front instrument panel with wine red accent stitching and chiseled metal decorative trim.

 

The dash comprises three screens  across, although the driver cannot see the passenger screen when the vehicle is in drive.  Below the main 12.3” touchscreen in the center is a separate screen for climate and seat controls. The lower screen does flip back to reveal a wireless charging tray and USB ports. Within the center console is a jog dial electronic shifter paired with a toggle switch for selecting drive modes.  Two large cupholders are able to hold larger style water bottles. There is also a central storage bin that is deep and easy to access. 

 

There are several new details throughout the interior, including a performance-inspired, wine red-stitched steering wheel with a flat-bottom design and twin spoke. The steering wheel introduces a new Cabo vinyl anti-microbial surface coating, making it easier to keep the vehicle clean. The overall vibe is luxurious inside, but still practical. The fit and finish is generally good with nice touches like ambient lighting, premium upholstery, and large displays. 

 

 

Technology:

Tech is front and center with more than 45 inches of screens inside. Drivers face a fully digital 12.3” gauge cluster adjacent to a 12.3” infotainment touchscreen. The cluster works with the standard integrated navigation system to deliver new dynamic road views that  better assist the driver and augment the vehicle’s standard autonomous driving system. It also features a new set of menus, including BEV-specific elements, such as charge level, battery health and available power. When parked and plugged in, the Jeep Wagoneer S cluster will display the current charging status, which is activated when the remote key is sensed.

 

The 12.3” center touchscreen utilizes the latest Uconnect 5 system with even better levels of clarity. It wirelessly connects to Apple CarPlay and Android auto and maintained connection the entire time, an improvement over past Uconnect systems. The menus are fairly easy to navigate, but the abundance of customization options could be overwhelming.  There’s also an available 10.25” front passenger interactive display  that allows the co‑pilot to manage navigation, media, or camera views independently of the driver’s screen.

 

One of the highlights inside is the immersive sound system with the  segment-exclusive partnership with McIntosh. A signature audio performance is delivered through a custom-tuned, 19-speaker system. Powered by a 1,200-watt amplifier and 12-inch subwoofer for outstanding bass quality, the high-performance system delivers an immersive experience, making all vehicle occupants feel like they’re in the recording studio with their favorite artists.  

 

Despite all the focus on tech inside, I did still experience technology glitches in the Wagoneer S. And after some troubleshooting, I realized that I was not alone. It seems many owners have experienced the system freezing or the entire vehicle essentially locking up. During my time, I had to do a hard reset of the Wagoneer S by disconnecting the 12V battery which was essentially the equivalent to unplugging and restarting your computer. After doing so once, I never experienced the lock up glitch again. I must mention I was driving an early production version of the Wagoneer S and did report the issue to Jeep representatives who were looking into it. That said, glitches aside, the amount of technology in this vehicle is impressive and I’m sure will continue to be refined. 

 

 

Seats:

The Wagoneer S seats five passengers comfortably. It doesn't lead the class in overall passenger space, but there's still plenty of room to be comfortable. The seats are supportive all around, though the SUV's sloping roofline cuts into headroom. Leg and shoulder room up front is good, and drivers will find everything is easy to reach. Standard features include synthetic leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable, heated and massaging front seats with lumbar controls and memory settings and a heated and power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Twelve-way power-adjustable and ventilated front seats and heated and ventilated rear seats are available.

 

The second‑row seats provide decent space for most passengers with legroom and shoulder room being competitive relative to many two‑row SUVs. As mentioned, headroom in the back is lessened by the sloping roof design of the Wagoneer S. On the upside, a panoramic roof lets in a lot of natural light and fresh air. While the seats are fully adjustable, the exterior design (notably the slope in the back) does create some visibility challenges. It’s important when test driving to make sure that this is not a direct issue for the driver.  While Jeep implements plenty of safety guards and cameras to aid in visibility, it’s something worth checking. 

 

Cargo:

The Wagoneer S offers 30.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row which expands to 64 cubic feet when the seats are folded flat. There’s also a “frunk” (front trunk) volume of approximately 3 cubic feet, useful for small items like charging cables or extra storage. The cargo space is competitive for a premium two‑row electric SUV as it compares favorably with some rivals in the class. While the volume numbers are good, the shape of the cargo area isn’t always optimal for tall/boxy‑shaped items. The sloping roofline means the usable vertical space near the rear may be less than in boxier designs

 

 

Safety / Driver Assist:

It delivers a combination of more than 170 standard safety and security features that help make instrumentation easier to see and aid in collision avoidance with advanced driver-assist technology. Standard features include:

• Full‑speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking (detects vehicles/cyclists/pedestrians and applies the brakes if needed). 
• Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross‑Path Detection. 
• Lane Keeping Assistance / Active Lane Management. 
• Adaptive Cruise Control (with Stop & Go in many trims). 
• 360° Surround View Camera. 
• ParkSense Front and Rear Park Assist (with sensors/cameras for parking/obstacle warning). 
• Drowsy Driver Detection. 
• Side Distance Warning (which warns of objects close to the side of the vehicle). 
• Electronic Stability Control, Roll Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, ABS & Traction Control. 

 

Other optional features include Active Driving Assist, Intersection Collision Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition, Fully Autonomous Parking System, and upgraded cameras. The Wagoneer S packs a very impressive safety and driver‑assist suite for the segment. The baseline features are strong. For many buyers, that means you’re getting high value in driver assistance without needing to pay for all the extras. If you step into the optional/upgraded features, you get into the semi‑autonomous driving and autonomous parking which elevates the experience further.

 

Final Statement:

 

As Jeep’s first all-electric vehicle, the Wagoneer S does a lot of things very well. I have yet to drive another EV of its size that matches the power and performance. The luxurious cabin is accommodating and very contemporary, however some glitches in the technology still need to be resolved. Overall, this is one of the bigger five-passenger all-electric crossovers on the market. If you need more space, good towing capability, and a solid driving range, the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S should be considered.