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Jeep's 2024 Wagoneer S completed a 1,100-mile round trip from St. Louis to Madison with ease. The free hotel charging proved more convenient than navigating multiple charging apps.

On a 1,100-mile journey, the driver discovered that the standout feature of his 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S wasn't its range or pace, but a gratis hotel charging station, proving to be more convenient than navigating numerous charging apps.

Jeep Wagoneer S Easily Covered 1,100 Miles From St. Louis to Madison and Back; Complimentary Hotel...
Jeep Wagoneer S Easily Covered 1,100 Miles From St. Louis to Madison and Back; Complimentary Hotel Charging Proved More Practical Than Handling several Charging Applications

Jeep's 2024 Wagoneer S completed a 1,100-mile round trip from St. Louis to Madison with ease. The free hotel charging proved more convenient than navigating multiple charging apps.

Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition: A Powerful Electric SUV for Long-Distance Road Trips

The Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition, a new addition to the electric vehicle (EV) market, promises powerful performance and fast-charging capabilities, making it an attractive choice for long-distance road trips. However, its success is not without challenges.

Pros

The Wagoneer S EV delivers impressive power and performance, boasting 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque, which propels it from 0–60 mph in approximately 3.4 seconds [1]. Its charging speed is equally impressive, with a 400 V architecture that enables DC fast charging from 20% to 80% in about 23 minutes [1].

The vehicle's access to U.S. charging networks, including Tesla’s Superchargers, significantly improves charging options on long routes. However, drivers may need to use third-party apps like ABRP (A Better Route Planner) for more cost-effective and time-efficient charging route planning, as the Wagoneer’s factory navigation system tends to avoid Tesla chargers [1].

Cons

One of the main concerns is the charging navigation and cost. The Wagoneer’s factory navigation system avoids Tesla chargers and prefers certain rest stop DC fast chargers, which tend to cost more [1]. Real-world efficiency data is scarce, and concerns about highway range efficiency have been raised [1].

Some reviews suggest that the ride might be bouncy, potentially impacting long-distance comfort [1]. The overall user experience can be uneven due to software nuances in routing and pricing variability across chargers [1][4].

Case Study

Kat Stover, a new owner of a 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition, completed a 1,100-mile road trip from St. Louis, Missouri, to Madison, Wisconsin, and back. During the trip, Stover used ABRP for planning and paid for one month of integration with the vehicle. The Wagoneer S stopped at a Rivian charger in Normal and a charger in South Beloit for top-offs. However, the connection between ABRP and the vehicle's battery percentage seemed to stop updating during the trip.

ChargePoint locations were used on the way home, and the ChargePoint app provided the smoothest charging transaction. The hotel in Madison offered a free Level 2 charger in a covered garage, which was a logistical windfall for the EV road tripper.

Summary

For long-distance road trips, the Jeep Wagoneer S EV offers powerful acceleration and fast DC charging capability, particularly improved by access to Tesla's extensive charger network when managed with third-party route planning tools. However, charging app navigation limitations, potential inefficiencies in highway range, and variable ride comfort could pose challenges. Smart planning and use of external apps are advisable to optimize charging time and cost on extended trips.

The Wagoneer S Launch Edition is not a cautious toe-dip into electrification but a fully realized luxury SUV. It is the first global BEV sold in the U.S. by Jeep and is built on the STLA Large platform with standard AWD. The vehicle is approximately 192.4 inches in length, 74.8 inches in width, 64.8 inches in height, and 113.0 inches in wheelbase, making it a midsize, 2-row electric SUV. It can tow up to ~3,400-3,500 lbs, depending on configuration [1].

EV charging often requires a patchwork of apps, accounts, and payment methods. Three adults and a preteen were comfortable in the vehicle, along with all their stuff. The Wagoneer S has 45 inches of total front display area across multiple screens. The vehicle is initially built in Mexico (Toluca) [1].

[1] - [Source]

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