Having spent some time behind the wheel of Jeep’s first electric vehicle, the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition, I realized that it represents the quintessential new American luxury car. It’s not a soggy, vinyl and chrome-laden brougham of the 1970s, nor a Nimitz-class, body-on-frame, leather-lined SUV of the 2000s. In its size, deportment, style and amenities, the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S boldly defines American luxury for the 21st century. It’s a modern-day, luxury-laden Conestoga, filled with connectivity, comfort and safety. It’s a practical package meant for efficiently hauling people and stuff, one powered by electrons.

It's a Jeep as imagined by the brand’s youngest designers, all Millennials or Gen-X.

Even though it’s called a Wagoneer, it lacks three rows or the bountiful size associated with the nameplate. Instead, it offers entry into Jeep’s most lavish offerings.

Look at the side view. It looks as if this Wagoneer has a massive C-Pillar, that’s two pillars back from the front pillar, which is the A-pillar. But in reality, that’s just glass. Like the original Wagoneer, its greenhouse looks more like that of a wagon. Designers did bow to tradition, endowing the front end with Jeep’s trademark seven-slot grille, even though it provides no cooling. And its D-Pillar is cribbed from the original Wagoneer. But look closer. Above it, a rear spoiler juts off the roof, suggesting a square shape. But this is an illusion as well. In reality, the spoiler goes well forward on the roof to improve aerodynamics and hide the surprisingly curved roofline. Certainly, it aids aerodynamics but it robs the rear seat of head room, which is unexpectedly tight.

But that’s the price to pay for its overall sporting, sleek, sexy, speedy demeanor.

Climb inside and it’s difficult to be disappointed. It radiates modern contemporary extravagance, mostly thanks to an instrument panel designed much like that of the larger, gas-powered Wagoneer.

If you need any proof that millennials and Gen-X designed the interior, well yes, there’s a lot of tech. And it’s great. There’s a new 10-inch head-up-display in the windshield, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, a 10.25-inch HVAC touchscreen and a 10.25-inch passenger display.

But even more so, these young artists designed an interior that has no leather and all of its fabric and carpet are made from recycled materials, as is 62 percent of the faux suede. Even its aluminum coatings are on their second life. There’s also a ton of high-gloss black surfaces, accented by ambient lighting.

And, as you’d expect, there are a lot of electronic displays. There’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, a 10.25-inch climate control panel, a 10.25-inch display for the front-seat passenger and a 10-inch head-up display. There’s also a vertical wireless charger that snugly holds your phone in place, Tom Tom navigation and a 1,200-watt, 19-speaker McIntosh audio system that provides outstanding sound. Best of all, the infotainment screen’s interface, Uconnect 5, is very intuitive.

It creates an ambience that’s appropriate for its station. Initially, all Wagoneer S models will come as a fully loaded Launch Edition priced at $71,995, including destination charge.

The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S has a 250-kWh motor on each axle, which provides all-wheel drive. When conditions don’t require all-wheel drive, the Wagoneer S has a front-wheel disconnect to improve range. Rated at 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque, the electric driveline pulls forcefully yet effortlessly from a standstill. Its smooth, quiet demeanor provides the kind of acceleration that will absolutely thrill you, running 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. It certainly feels that way. Thankfully, the Jeep Wagoneer S does communicate through its steering, which proves quick enough to make this Jeep engaging to drive. Body lean is moderate in corners, and it proves very stable during cornering, making this a fine choice four your favorite quiet curving road. You’ll be aware of its weight, as in an EV, but it’s an easy engaging car to fling around. The ride is very quiet, except for a hint of tire noise.

But the seats have an unusually lumpy feel, and I am not convinced of their comfort for long stints in the saddle. And the side of the center console isn’t wrapped, so the driver’s leg rests against hard plastic. This should be wrapped in a softer material given its price tag.

The 199-kWH battery provides 303 miles of range according to the EPA. Recharging it to 80 percent from five percent requires 6.8 hours on a 240-volt outlet. A DC Fast Charger will accomplish the same feat in 23 minutes. When it comes to practicality, the Wagoneer S tows up to 3,400 pounds and schleps up to 60 cubic feet of cargo. But, unlike other, larger Wagoneers, there is no third row.

Still the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer is a testament to the changing times, an EV that coddles yet provides the sort of handling that outshines many of its duller contemporaries, all powered by gasoline, not electrons. But the goodness of the first battery-electric Jeep is enough to make any off-road enthusiast’s mouth water for the forthcoming Jeep Recon, the brand’s battery-electric off-road warrior.

In its totality, the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S is the new definition of what a luxury car is in the 21st century, and it's one that is being defined by American automakers.

2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition

Base price: $71,995, including destination

Powertrain: 250 kW electric drive modules

Horsepower/Torque: 600/617 pound-feet

Range: 303 miles

Recharge time (240 V): 6.8 hours (5-80%)

Length/Width/Height: 192/84/65 inches

Ground clearance: 6.4 inches

Payload: 1,033 pounds

Cargo capacity: 31-61 cubic feet, plus 3 cubic-foot front trunk

Towing capacity: 3,400 pounds

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