The Dodge Charger Daytona isn’t the only EV getting discounted ahead of launch as Jeep dealers are in a similar boat. They’re gearing up to release the performance-focused Wagoneer S, which starts at $70,200 before a $1,795 destination charge.

That’s an astronomical price tag and we’ve previously noted the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT starts at $54,995 and has a $1,995 destination fee. Despite being significantly cheaper, the electric pony car can be equipped with a $995 performance upgrade that makes it faster than its rival.

More: New Jeep Wagoneer S Packs A 600 HP Punch For $72k

While the models target different consumers, the Jeep looks like a tough sell. Some dealers appear to be acknowledging that as they’re already offering discounts on the EV.

Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Delaware, Ohio is advertising two Wagoneer S Launch Editions with a $1,000 discount. This lowers their price tag to $70,995 and $71,590.

Over in Minnesota, Bloomington Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram has a $3,000 discount on their Launch Editions. This means they have prices between $68,995 and $69,590.

This is the exact opposite of what you’d expect at launch and the discounts could hint at lackluster demand. Of course, there are only a few examples listed at this point so it’s hard to draw any definitive conclusions.

However, this appears to be a trend at Stellantis as a handful of Dodge dealers are already discounting the Charger Daytona. As we reported last week, one dealer was offering their car for $3,713 under MSRP.

While the situation could change when dealers take delivery, the Wagoneer S is based on the STLA Large platform and features a 100.5 kWh battery pack. It feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 600 hp (447 kW / 608 PS) and 617 lb-ft (836 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.4 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).

It’s also worth noting the EPA has quietly released ratings for the Wagoneer S. With Falken tires, the crossover has 303 miles (488 km) of range. That drops to 270 miles (435 km) with Pirelli tires, which will apparently be optional in the future. That’s a significant difference and it’s likely a case of performance rubber versus low-rolling resistance tires.

Hot on the heels of the 2024 Wagoneer S making its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week, Jeep has announced some attractive financing and leasing offers for their new electric SUV.

In the US, the Wagoneer S Launch Edition will start at $71,995. That’s quite a lot of money, but shows that Jeep is positioning the Wagoneer S as a more premium EV. However, a recent dealer bulletin revealed that Jeep is offering the Wagoneer S at 0% APR for 72 months, which could be a deal that’s too good to pass, for some buyers.

Read: Stellantis Delays Jeep, Dodge, And Ram EVs Again Because Quality Takes Time

Cars Direct notes the financing deal is only available until December 2 in the Central, Southern, and Northeastern US. Shoppers who take advantage of the deal could save well over $10,000 compared to another similarly-priced SUV at a higher APR. It also means the Wagoneer S is cheaper to finance than a regular 2024 Wagoneer at a 3.9% rate.

Lease It or Love It?

For those leaning toward leasing rather than buying, Jeep is offering the Wagoneer S at $599 per month for 36 months, with a 10,000-mile annual cap. But before you start celebrating, there’s a catch. This deal requires $4,999 upfront, which effectively tacks on another $138 per month when spread across the lease term. However, there’s a silver lining: lessees are eligible for the $7,500 EV federal incentive, easing the financial burden and making the lease proposition more palatable for some.

A Muscle SUV Beneath the Electric Veneer

Beyond the dollars and cents, the Wagoneer S boasts some serious hardware under the skin. A 100 kWh battery pack supports DC fast charging, enabling the SUV to recharge from 20% to 80% in just 23 minutes—faster than your lunch break.

The twin electric motors combine to produce 600 hp and 617 lb-ft (837 Nm) of torque, meaning the Wagoneer S almost has as much power as a Lamborghini Urus. Despite tipping the scales at a hefty 5,667 lbs (2,570 kg), Jeep says the new model needs just 3.4 seconds to hit 60 mph (96 km/h).

Jeep’s electrification strategy is starting to take shape, and the Recon is at the forefront. Positioned as a battery-powered counterpart to the Wrangler, it aims to blend off-road capability with zero-emissions performance. While its arrival has been teased since 2022, recent spy shots suggest we may have to wait a bit longer than expected for the production model.

More: New Jeep Wagoneer S Packs A 600 HP Punch, But Will It KO Tesla At $72K?

Our spy photographers caught three Jeep Recon prototypes out in the wild, offering our first and clearest look yet at its production-ready design. Spotted in different colors and sporting minimal camouflage, these testers reveal a vehicle that stays true to the prototype model we saw back in 2023. The boxy styling and off-road cues align with the renderings from the official announcement in September 2022, though whether the illuminated seven-slot grille will survive to production remains to be seen.

Off-Road DNA with an Electric Twist

Jeep is clearly intent on keeping the Recon true to its off-road roots, as evidenced by its chunky 17-inch wheels wrapped in Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain tires, complete with a full-size spare mounted on the tailgate.

Its rugged design embraces signature Jeep touches like removable doors, exposed hinges, and bright blue tow hooks. But there are some notable departures from the Wrangler playbook, including integrated swollen fenders that call to mind the Land Rover Defender, a wraparound greenhouse, and squared-off LED lights at both ends. It’s a mix of the familiar and the forward-thinking, but overall, it looks like an EV built for adventure.

Baldauf

Underpinning the Recon is the STLA Large platform, a versatile electric architecture from Stellantis. While Jeep has yet to reveal exact specifications, we can glean some hints from its cousin, the Jeep Wagoneer S. That model packs a 600-hp electric powertrain and a 100 kWh battery, good for over 300 miles of range. It’s uncertain whether the Recon will match these figures or prioritize off-road capability over power.

What Jeep has confirmed is that the Recon will feature off-road tech to rival the Wrangler, including an e-locker axle and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system. If you were worried the Recon might trade its trail cred for electric street smarts, fear not, it’s built to tackle the rough stuff.

An ICE Offering Rumored

However, there’s a curveball in the mix. While all the prototypes spied so far appear to be fully electric, rumors persist that Jeep may offer a combustion engine variant. This wouldn’t be unprecedented; the STLA Large platform supports ICE and hybrid powertrains, and a gas-powered Recon would expand its appeal in regions where EV charging infrastructure remains patchy.

Delayed Debut, or Just Fashionably Late?

The new Recon was originally scheduled to begin production in 2024, but rumors of delays suggest it might not beat its cousin, the Jeep Wagoneer S, which has reportedly faced delays of its own, to the market. If true, this pushes the Recon’s launch further into 2025. For a vehicle so tied to Jeep’s electrification ambitions, it’s a curious setback. Then again, delays are practically a rite of passage in the automotive world, especially when it comes to EVs.

Jeep

Stellantis has delayed the launch of several key EVs, choosing caution over haste as it looks to avoid the pitfalls of rushing unproven models to market. While a pragmatic move, it highlights the challenges the automaker faces as it navigates a rapidly shifting industry.

One of the most significant delays for the struggling carmaker is the Jeep Wagoneer S, a key model for the brand. Originally scheduled for a fall launch, it is now not expected to reach dealerships until the end of the year. Similarly, the production of the Dodge Charger Daytona has yet to begin, though dealerships still anticipate receiving their first units before the end of this year.

Read: Stellantis Reveals New STLA Frame Supporting EVs, Hybrids, Hydrogen, And ICE Trucks

Another delayed EV under the Stellantis umbrella is the Ram 1500 REV. The all-electric pickup truck, underpinned by the firm’s STLA Frame architecture, was first previewed in early 2023 and validation work continues to this day, pushing its launch back from late 2024 to 2025. According to Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares, the company doesn’t want to rush the launch of such an important model.

“We don’t want to take risks in terms of validation,” Tavares told Auto News. “It’s very important for Stellantis to demonstrate that we have all the capabilities and that we master the technology with a high level of durability, and that’s exactly what we are doing right now, so we don’t want to rush. It’s better to take a few weeks more to validate properly than to rush and then to make mistakes in terms of quality. That’s what we are doing now. We are validating and we are managing the peak between the products that we have ahead of us.”

But delays are only part of the equation. Stellantis faces an uphill battle with consumer skepticism around EVs, compounded by the potential rollback of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit under the incoming Trump administration. This would push prices higher, further complicating efforts to convince hesitant buyers. Tavares, however, remains bullish, believing that the driving experience itself will win over skeptics.

“It’s all about listening to the customer,” Tavares said. “They will ask us [for[ affordability. They will ask us to sell BEVs at the price of [gasoline vehicles] … At the end of the day, when I make the test drives of those [electric] vehicles, I always come with the same conclusion: It’s a better car.”

It’s a confident pitch, but one that ultimately rests on Stellantis’ ability to deliver. Whether buyers will share Tavares’ optimism when these delayed models finally hit the road remains an open question.

Depreciation is a fact of life, but what you buy has a big impact on resale values down the line. To help consumers, J.D. Power has released their 2025 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards which highlight the vehicles that are projected to hold the highest percentage of their manufacturer’s suggested retail price after three years of ownership.

The winners aren’t exactly a surprise as Honda and Lexus walked away with top honors for the fourth consecutive year. J.D. Power’s Danny Battaglia credited part of this success to Honda’s pricing discipline as well as Lexus’ restraint on incentives, which can negatively impact resale values of older vehicles.

More: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Starts At $59,595

Besides being named the best premium brand, Lexus picked up the most model-level awards. Class honors went to the IS, LS, NX, RX, and TX. Their mainstream counterpart, Toyota, also picked up awards for the Camry and GR Supra as well as the Tundra and Land Cruiser.

Japanese models dominated the rankings as Honda scored wins for the Civic, Passport and Odyssey, while Subaru picked up accolades for the Crosstrek, Forester, and WRX. Other awards went to the Acura Integra and Nissan Kicks.

American brands might have played second fiddle, but GM racked up five wins. The Chevrolet Corvette was named the best “midsize premium sporty car,” while the Cadillac Escalade was the best large premium SUV. GMC also picked up awards for the Sierra 3500 HD as well as the Hummer EV Pickup and SUV.

Interestingly, the soon to be launched Dodge Charger Daytona was named the best electric car. While it remains to be seen what resale values will look like three years from now, electric coupes are virtually unheard of in America so the Charger Daytona doesn’t really have any competition.

Sticking with EVs, the Tesla Model 3 was dubbed the best premium electric car. The Hyundai Kona EV, on the other hand, was named best electric SUV.

Awards were also given to the BMW X1 and 5-Series, Jeep Gladiator and Wagoneer, and Kia Telluride. Mercedes’ only win was for the Sprinter, which took the commercial van class.