Jeep introduced its inaugural electric vehicle last year with the European debut of the compact Avenger crossover. However, American consumers will need to wait a bit longer to get their hands on an EV adorned with the iconic seven-slot grille. Although the US-bound Wagoneer S was initially showcased in early 2024, customer deliveries have yet to commence. The market launch was slated for this fall, but Jeep is now hinting at a potential delay. The reason? The company is committed to ensuring the Wagoneer S meets its high standards. Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa emphasized to Automotive News: "No launch if the quality isn't perfect." The zero-emission SUV will be manufactured at the Toluca, Mexico factory, where quality is steadily improving. Filosa is nearing "perfect quality" but insists that "close is not good enough." In essence, Jeep is not willing to rush the model's launch just to meet its promise of having the Wagoneer S at dealers this fall. "Timing is important, but more important than that is to be perfect for the consumers that will give us the privilege to buy this car."

Quality has recently become a significant concern for Jeep's parent company, Stellantis. In July, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares acknowledged that some issues need to be addressed at US factories. He specifically mentioned Sterling Heights in Michigan, where the Ram 1500 is produced, and where too many trucks require repairs immediately after leaving the assembly line. Although the Wagoneer S will be electric-only at launch, this might change in the future. In April, Filosa did not rule out the possibility of incorporating combustion engines into the Wagoneer S and the company's other EV for America, the Recon. Both models are based on the STLA Large platform, which, as seen with the new Dodge Charger, supports ICE with inline-six Hurricane engines. Jeep likely needs a (presumably cheaper) gas Wagoneer S if it aims to achieve its new goal of selling one million vehicles annually in the United States. This is a challenging target, especially considering that in the first half of 2024, Jeep delivered only 304,186 vehicles in the US, a 9% decline compared to the same period in 2023.

In the interim, the electric Wagoneer S Launch Edition starts at $71,995, including destination fees. It promises over 300 miles of range from a 100.5-kWh battery pack, which can be charged at up to 350 kW. A 20% to 80% charge should take approximately 23 minutes. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup delivers 600 horsepower, enabling a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 3.4 seconds. Jeep positions the Wagoneer S as its first global electric SUV, with the US and Canada followed by other markets.