I Drive The Electric Jeep Wagoneer For The First Time! Impressively Terrible Drivetrain Tuning
The new electric Jeep Wagoneer S 4XE has hit the market, and our team was eager to take it for a spin. While it boasts some impressive features, there are also significant drawbacks that make us question its value. Here’s what we found out during our first drive.
Key Takeaways
Price Point: Starting at $73,500, the Wagoneer S 4XE is a hefty investment.
Performance Issues: The drivetrain tuning leaves much to be desired, with noticeable lag and poor braking performance.
Interior Quality: The interior is well-designed with high-quality materials, but the infotainment system is frustrating.
Charging Capabilities: Comes with a home charger option, but the included level one charger is underwhelming.
Overview Of The Jeep Wagoneer S 4XE
The Jeep Wagoneer S 4XE is a fully electric SUV that aims to blend the ruggedness of Jeep with modern electric vehicle technology. Built on the same platform as the Dodge Charger, it promises a lot but also raises some eyebrows with its performance and software issues. Our team, consisting of Kyle, Jordan, and Andreas, took it for a test drive at a local dealership in Colorado.
Exterior Design And Specs
The Wagoneer S has a compact design compared to its predecessor, which is a pleasant surprise. It features a sleek roofline and a modern aesthetic that stands out. However, the price tag of nearly $75,000 raises questions about its value compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and the Lyric.
Dimensions:Wheelbase: 113 inchesLength: Shorter than the Dodge ChargerWeight: Lighter than the Charger, but still hefty
Interior Features
Stepping inside, the Wagoneer S impresses with its interior quality. The materials used are top-notch, and the layout is user-friendly. However, the infotainment system is a major letdown. It’s slow, laggy, and not intuitive, which is frustrating for a vehicle in this price range.
Interior Highlights:Heated and cooled seatsHigh-quality materialsAmple screen real estateAmbient lighting with 64 color options
Software And Infotainment
The Wagoneer S is equipped with the Uconnect infotainment system, which has been touted as award-winning. However, our experience was far from award-winning. The system was slow to respond, and basic functions took too long to load. For a vehicle priced at $75,000, this is unacceptable.
Infotainment Issues:Laggy response timesPoor navigation capabilitiesLack of multi-touch support
Driving Experience
When it comes to driving, the Wagoneer S has some serious issues. The drivetrain tuning is off, leading to a frustrating driving experience. The vehicle rolls several feet before the brakes engage, and the acceleration feels sluggish. The weight of the vehicle is noticeable, and the stopping power is lacking.
Driving Highlights:One-pedal driving mode is available but poorly tuned.Acceleration feels underwhelming despite the claimed horsepower.Braking performance is disappointing, especially for a vehicle of this size.
Charging Capabilities
The Wagoneer S comes with a home charger option, which is a nice touch. However, the included level one charger is not sufficient for daily use. The vehicle supports DC fast charging, but the overall charging experience could be improved.
Charging Specs:100 kWh battery pack48 amp onboard chargerLevel one charger included, but not ideal for regular use
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Jeep Wagoneer S 4XE has potential but falls short in several key areas. The interior is impressive, and it has some great features, but the performance issues and software problems make it hard to justify the price tag. If you’re in the market for an electric SUV, you might want to consider other options before settling on this one.
Overall, while the Wagoneer S has some redeeming qualities, it’s clear that Stellantis needs to address the software and drivetrain tuning issues to make this vehicle truly competitive in the electric SUV market.
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