The 2026 Jeep Wagoneer S Is Fast, Comfortable, And Wearing The Wrong Badge | Review | Carscoops

The Jeep Wagoneer S Limited marks a pivotal second for the model. It’s Jeep’s first absolutely electrical SUV for the U.S. market, a clean-sheet design meant to usher one in all America’s most recognizable manufacturers right into a battery-powered future. On paper, it sounds compelling: 500 horsepower (373 kW), all-wheel drive, a claimed 294 miles of vary, and an as-tested value of $67,195. 

Review: The 2026 Land Rover Defender 130 V8 Is Everything You Want Until You Drive It

At the identical time, critics have not too long ago known as into query simply how well-made this SUV is. They’ve stated it’s low-cost, that it’s shoddily assembled, and that it’s a giant miss total. To discover out simply how true any of that is, we examined the Wagoneer S Limited for a full week.

We took it on highway journeys, drove it round sprawling city environments, and charged it at a minimum of 4 totally different public charging stations. We gained’t depart you ready for a basic takeaway. 

Quick Facts

After every week behind the wheel, one thought saved nagging: why is that this a Jeep? Nothing in regards to the Wagoneer S, the journey, the inside, the styling, the on-road demeanor, connects meaningfully to Jeep’s model DNA. 

There’s no ruggedness, no outdoorsy vibe, no sense that this factor even needs to see a dust highway. Instead, it feels polished, quiet, quick, and barely aloof. In different phrases, it appears like a Chrysler. And that’s not an insult. In truth, it is perhaps the Wagoneer S’s largest missed alternative… Read on to search out out why. 

The Basics Outside and Under The Skin

Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops

The Wagoneer S rides on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform and is firmly a two-row midsize SUV. Power comes from twin electrical motors driving all 4 wheels. In Limited trim, output is rated at 500 hp (373 kW) and 524 lb-ft (710 Nm) of torque.

More: Jeep’s Wagoneer Is Dead So Long Live The Overhauled 2026 Grand Wagoneer

Jeep does supply an over-the-air software program improve that unlocks extra efficiency, pushing output nearer to the Launch Edition’s headline numbers, however my take a look at automobile didn’t have the ability bump enabled. Jeep claims a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of round 3.4 seconds for higher-output variations. In the true world, efficiency varies considerably with battery state of cost, which we’ll get to shortly.

For now, let’s take a gander at precisely how this SUV presents itself outwardly. Nothing about it screams energy, efficiency, or ruggedness. The Wagoneer S merely doesn’t learn as a Jeep. Yes, there’s a Jeep-esque grille up entrance, however past that? Not actually.

Perhaps it’s the white and black paint job, however from most angles, this offers off sturdy Chrysler vibes. It’s modern, fashionable, and slightly understated.

Review: The 2026 Lexus GX 550 Will Give G-Wagon Owners Second Thoughts

The vivid silver combined with black on the wheels certainly provides much more to that feeling. The rear spoiler is one other attention-grabbing notice. Some will miss it fully, however those that discover it may additionally suppose, “How many Jeeps have come from the factory with a spoiler, much less one this big?” 

Interior Quality

Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops

Let’s begin with the excellent news. The seats, entrance and rear, are very snug, even when they give the impression of being virtually aggressively primary for an almost $70,000 automobile. Cushioning is superb, bolstering is excellent, and lengthy stints behind the wheel by no means turn into fatiguing.

Headroom is barely tight up entrance for me at 6’6″, however that’s not precisely surprising. Most people can have no concern with it. Rear-seat passengers fare nicely, and legroom is greater than sufficient for a two-row SUV on this class. Jeep did an amazing job of optimizing cabin house right here. 

That stated, for this type of cash, the seats ought to supply extra. Ventilation must be commonplace, not non-compulsory, and extra energy changes, and even therapeutic massage, would go a good distance towards justifying the worth. Hyundai, for instance, makes this really feel straightforward at lower cost factors.

The sprint and heart stack are fashionable, clear, and straightforward to know. Stellantis’ newest infotainment software program is easy, responsive more often than not, and never overloaded with pointless menus. But there’s a obvious concern… actually.

That big piano-black plastic panel on the passenger aspect of the sprint is an absolute eyesore. It appears to be like low-cost. It feels low-cost. And it turns into a magnet for mud and fingerprints virtually instantly. Jeep does supply an non-compulsory entrance passenger show, which not less than offers that panel a objective, however our take a look at automobile didn’t have it, and with out it, that shiny slab simply appears like cost-cutting dressed up as design.

Review: The 2026 LBX Morizo RR Is A GR Corolla Disguised As A Lexus SUV

Climate controls are one other combined bag. The heated seat and heated steering wheel buttons dwell persistently on-screen, however they usually really feel delayed or outright unresponsive except you faucet them excellent. It’s irritating in chilly climate, and it’s precisely the kind of factor bodily buttons clear up immediately.

Notably, Jeep does permit customers to arrange automated local weather settings based mostly on exterior temperatures, which is nice, but when the seats are too heat, turning them again off will be simply as annoying as attempting to show them on. 

Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops

Below the display screen is a haptic-feedback local weather management panel, which is barely higher. It’s nonetheless not best; actual buttons could be preferable, however not less than you’re not digging by menus simply to regulate temperature. The digital gauge cluster, nonetheless, is superb. It’s vivid, intuitive, straightforward to learn, and customizable sufficient with out being distracting. No complaints there.

Review: 2026 Ram 1500 V8 Hemi Is Worse On Paper But Better In Reality Than The Hurricane Six

There’s been loads of chatter on-line about subpar construct high quality within the Wagoneer S. Honestly? We didn’t see it. Panel gaps had been constant, nothing rattled, and the cabin is nicely insulated from highway and wind noise. Structurally, this appears like a strong, well-assembled automobile. But materials high quality tells a extra nuanced story.

Some parts, just like the air vent controls, really feel genuinely good beneath the fingers. There’s actual tactile satisfaction there. But past that, there’s little or no that feels actually luxurious, high-end, or particular. Again, put this subsequent to a equally priced Hyundai, and I’d wager the Jeep loses that comparability fairly shortly, presumably even in opposition to autos that value 1000’s much less.

This isn’t a foul cabin. It’s simply not formidable sufficient, particularly on condition that that is Jeep’s first EV within the U.S. It ought to really feel like a press release. Instead, it appears like a secure first draft. Storage is sufficient. The entrance trunk is helpful for smaller gadgets, and whereas rear cargo house isn’t large, folding the rear seats opens issues up properly.

Drive Impressions

This is the place the Wagoneer S genuinely shines and likewise the place its id disaster turns into unattainable to disregard. It drives nothing like a Jeep. If we needed to evaluate it to something sporting a Jeep badge, it will be the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. That’s not due to sound or drama, however due to how shockingly fast and composed it feels on pavement.

Even with out the non-compulsory energy unlock, the Wagoneer S is genuinely quick. Acceleration is robust and quick, although efficiency clearly degrades as battery state drops. At 19% cost, the perfect 0–60 mph run we managed was 4.85 seconds, which is nicely off Jeep’s headline claims however nonetheless removed from sluggish. Importantly, it by no means feels sluggish, even at low cost.

Read: Jeep Has Reached A Decision On The Recon EV

The steering is superb. It’s sharp, communicative, and confidence-inspiring. Turn-in is fast, physique roll is minimal, and the SUV modifications route with shocking eagerness. This is a type of EVs that truly encourages spirited driving moderately than merely tolerating it.

Braking, nonetheless, is a priority. This is a heavy SUV, and the brakes merely don’t really feel as much as the duty in the best way you’d count on after driving equally highly effective opponents. We by no means had a real panic second, however pedal really feel and stopping confidence lag behind the remainder of the driving expertise. The suspension is much more puzzling.

On clean or reasonably imperfect roads, the Wagoneer S is completely tremendous. It’s quiet, composed, and secure. But hit a pothole or a badly damaged stretch of pavement, and the journey turns jarringly harsh. Sharp impacts aren’t nicely damped, and the ensuing thuds make their manner straight into the cabin.

Given that this isn’t meant for off-road use and is driving on Falken all-season tires, the stiffness feels pointless. If Stellantis insists on calling this a Jeep, perhaps it ought to not less than lean into ruggedness with harder rubber. As it stands, the suspension feels mismatched to the automobile’s mission. Maybe that’s why it isn’t a Chrysler.

Competition

The Wagoneer S faces some actually powerful competitors, and it’s arduous to disregard. Starting at $65,200 earlier than choices, it’s firmly dealing with off in opposition to issues just like the Tesla Model Y Performance, the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT. All of these supply comparable or higher efficiency, comparable or higher interiors, and comparable or higher vary for across the identical value or much less. 

That doesn’t consider those that actually simply need one thing that hones in on one ability or one other. Want a quick five-door EV? Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. How about one thing spacious and cozy? Cadillac has a Lyriq and a Vistiq that it wish to present you. 

The choices on the market actually are wide-ranging, even within the $65,000+ EV house. Shoot, at $80,000, which isn’t all that far off from a fully-loaded Wagoneer S, the Porsche Macan EV is on the market. This is once more the place leaning into the factor Jeep does nicely, going off-road, would profit the Wagoneer S. 

Final Thoughts

The Jeep Wagoneer S Limited is engaging, fast, normally snug, and genuinely enjoyable to drive. But it doesn’t really feel like a Jeep, and that’s the one actual drawback. This might have been Chrysler’s fashionable halo automobile. Not a supercar just like the Halcyon idea, and never an EV model of the 300, however one thing fashionable, quick, refined, and aspirational. 

Review: New Kia Tasman X-Pro Is Great, But Its Biggest Flaw Is Hard To Miss

Aim it at boomers, throw in higher commonplace seats, supply a number of enjoyable colours, and let Chrysler rebuild some relevance. Instead, it dangers getting misplaced in Jeep’s broader lineup and ethos. As it stands, the Wagoneer S is nice. It’s the one Jeep accessible for individuals who like to drive on pavement. But it nonetheless feels prefer it’s sporting the incorrect nameplate.

Photos Stephen Rivers / Carscoops