Jeep’s first fully electric vehicle in the US will debut with a $7,500 discount as the rugged SUV brand looks to compete with Tesla. The Jeep Wagoneer S will launch this fall with a $7,500 lease discount, making it more competitive with Tesla’s top-selling Model Y. Which electric SUV are you going with?
Meet Jeep’s first global EV
Jeep took the sheets off its first global electric SUV, the Wagoneer S, late last month as it looks toward a new chapter.
The Jeep Wagoneer S features a range of over 300 miles, a luxurious, tech-oriented interior, and fast charging capabilities. Powered by a 100 kWh battery, Jeep’s electric SUV can charge from 20% to 80% in 23 minutes.
Jeep’s Wagoneer S is “Distinctively a Jeep and 100% electric in every way,” according to Jeep’s CEO Antonio Filosa.
You will notice several signature design upgrades for the electric era, including a reimagined seven-slot closed grille.
Although it’s built on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, which is expected to underpin the electric Dodge Charger, Jeep designers modified it specifically for the Wagoneer S.
On the inside, Jeep packed its latest software and connectivity tech. The Wagoneer S Launch Edition includes a massive “best-in-class” display with 45″ of space. This includes a 10.25″ interactive passenger screen.
Jeep aims Wagoneer S at Tesla with new lease deal
Jeep believes its first electric SUV in the US can steal some of the spotlight from Tesla’s best-selling Model Y.
Filosa told Automotive News earlier this month, “Something like 100% will be conquested,” referring to Jeeps Wagoneer S and Recon EVs.
“The brands we are targeting are mainly Tesla… but there are many others,” Jeep’s leader explained.
According to online auto research firm CarsDirect, the Jeep Wagoneer S will hit the market with a $7,500 lease discount.
Although Jeep has yet to reveal lease deals on the new EV, they are expected to be revealed soon. Dealers in 12 states were notified last week of the new offer through Stellantis Financial Services.
Jeep’s Wagoneer S Launch Edition will begin arriving at US dealerships this fall, starting at $71,995.
Jeep Wagoneer S vs Tesla Model Y
Starting Price
Range
Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition
$71,995
+300 miles
Tesla Model Y RWD
$44,990
320 miles
Tesla Model Y AWD
$47,990
308 miles
Tesla Model Y AWD Performance
$51,490
279 miles
Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition vs Tesla Model Y
Tesla’s RWD Model Y starts at $44,900 with up to 320 miles range. With the tax credit, the Model Y starts at just $37,490. The AWD version costs $47,990 with up to 308 miles range.
Other potential competitors include the Rivian R1S ($76,700), Porsche Macan Electric ($80,450), and Audi Q8 e-tron ($75,595). It will also compete with lower-priced models like the Hyundai IONIQ 5, starting at $41,800.
Which electric SUV are you going with? The Tesla Model Y or Jeep Wagoneer S?
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The UAW union’s Stellantis Council met yesterday to discuss the beleaguered carmaker’s “ongoing failure” to honor the agreement that ended the 2023 labor strike, and their latest union memo doesn’t pull many punches.
In an email sent out by the UAW earlier today (received at 4:55PM CST), UAW President Shawn Fain wrote, “For years, the company picked us off plant-by-plant and we lacked the will and the means to fight back. Today is different. Because we stood together and demanded the right to strike over job security—product commitment—we have the tools to fight back and win … We unanimously recommend to the membership that every UAW worker at Stellantis prepare for a fight, and we all get ready to vote YES to authorize a strike at Stellantis.”
Kia promises the new EV9 GT will have “enormous power,” but that’s not all. For the first time, the Kia EV9 GT was caught with an active spoiler, giving us a sneak peek at potential new upgrades.
The brand’s first three-row electric SUV is already making its presence known in the US, helping push Kia to back-to-back record sales months. Meanwhile, a more powerful, sporty variant is on the way.
Kia confirmed the EV9 GT will top off the electric SUV’s lineup in April. Packing “enormous power,” the high-performance GT model can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 4 secs.
With a “high-output” dual-motor (AWD) system, the EV9 GT can quickly pick up speed despite weighing over 5,000 lbs.
Kia also equipped it with other high-performance features, such as a reinforced suspension and electronic braking system, for better control and stability.
We’ve already caught a glimpse of the performance electric SUV out testing, revealing aggressive new bumpers and wheels. Now, a new design feature has been spotted.
Kia EV9 GT could come with an active rear spoiler
The latest video from HealerTV shows the EV9 GT with what appears to be an active spoiler. As the reporter noted, it could be similar to the one spotted on the Genesis GV70 Magma.
Tesla’s Model X also used to come with an active spoiler until it was dropped a few years back. Although the GT model was spotted with one, Kia could just be testing new features, so don’t get too excited yet.
Earlier this week, a video from HealerTV showed the front row of the EV9 GT, comparing it to the current GT-Line model.
Several differences can be immediately noticed, including a more aggressive, all-black design with a yellow stripe down the center of the seat.
Kia is set to launch the EV9 GT in early 2025. It will rival other performance SUVs like the Tesla Model X Plaid.
Although prices have yet to be confirmed, the GT model is expected to sit above the current GT-Line at $73,900. In comparison, Tesla’s Model X Plaid starts at $94,990 and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 secs.
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Consumer Reports and EV charging app Chargeway are working together to give drivers a better way to rate public chargers, report uptime, and address maintenance issues.
The technical collaboration with Chargeway is part of a larger effort called the EV Charging Community, which engages with a number of different EV advocacy groups including Plug In America, GreenLatinos, and Generation 180, and leverages the mobile app to rate public EV charging experiences based on various factors, with the findings reported back to industry stakeholders like EVSE manufacturers, CPOs, and utilities.
Be heard
“We are very excited to be partnering with Consumer Reports,” says Chargeway founder, Matt Teske. “From day one, Chargeway has focused on a driver first app design to provide easier EV charging experiences as well as transparency for what drivers can anticipate at (the) station they choose … we share Consumer Reports’ goal to give drivers a voice in the public EV charging reliability conversation. Now, instead of posting complaints on social media and feeling ignored, EV drivers can use the Chargeway mobile app to provide their feedback to the leading consumer advocacy organization.”
Consumer Reports says it’s already seen nearly a third of its 1,600 enrolled community members experience a problem with public charging, so it’s a real problem. “Charging stations are critical services, but when they’re out of order or barely functional, it wastes consumers’ valuable time,” explains Drew Toher, Consumer Reports’ sustainability campaign manager.
Consumer Reports points out that EV drivers who don’t use Chargeway can also enroll to be part of the community at this link.
Electrek’s Take
Chargeway founder Matt Teske is an old friend. He’s a good friend, too, so it’s great to see his top-shelf EV charging app starting to get some of the recognition it deserves. The CR tie-up and added visibility these ratings will give to industry stakeholders are only going to make things better for EV drivers everywhere.
That up there? That’s one of my early interview episodes of Quick Charge featuring a walkthrough of Chargeway+, another collab between Matt and Austin Energy. Enjoy!
SOURCE | IMAGES: Chargeway, Consumer Reports.
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