Jeep's New Plug-In Hybrid: the Wrangler 4xe
Jeep has created another extremely hearty vehicle made for off-road adventures. This time, it’s a plug-in hybrid. The new Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s eco-friendly powertrain will help preserve the wildlife environments it so effortlessly explores. This plug-in hybrid, manufactured in Toledo, was built to take on whatever you can throw at it. Like all Wranglers, it can get down in the dirt, rip over rocks and traverse creeks with the best of ‘em.
Electrifying Off-Road Adventure
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is actually more powerful than the standard Wrangler models boasting an electric motor for each axle and a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder gasoline engine and an eight-speed transmission. This hybrid gives you a combined 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque to do all the heavy lifting. The 4xe comes with a pair of solid Dana 44 axles, a two-speed transfer case for four-wheel drive, coil springs and monotube shocks for 10.8-inches of ground clearance to cross mighty streams.
There’s a base model 4xe as well as Sahara and Rubicon upgrade trim levels. The four-wheel drive systems differ by trim level. The Rubicon’s transfer case is unique and will add a 4.0:1 low-range ratio, compared to the Sahara and base models’ 2.72:1 low-range ratio. The Rubicon 4xe will also add electronically disconnecting sway bars and locking front and rear differentials.
Plug-In Powered Freedom
The 17.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is hidden under the back seat and the charging port is up on the front left side of the vehicle for easy access to charging stations. An LED display on the instrument panel tells you the state of charge. Other than that, the Wrangler 4xe looks like any other Jeep Wrangler. However, discerning eyes can spot that this Wrangler is special as it sports Electric Blue accents applied to the tow hooks, exterior badging and hood decal. You can also find it on the upholstery stitching and trim panels.
The Wrangler 4xe is also the most fuel-efficient model available with an EPA estimated 50 MPGe and an electric-mode for 25 miles of all-electric driving available on tap. Total driving EPA estimated range is 400 miles of unbridled rolling freedom.
Regenerative braking feeds energy from braking back to the Wrangler’s battery and the four-wheel drive system contributes to recovering the battery pack’s state of charge. There is even a one-pedal-driving feature called the Max Regen function. This slows the 4xe to come to a stop when you take your foot off the accelerator. Buttons to the left of the steering wheel marked E Selec allow you to select various modes of electric motor use including Hybrid for both electric and gasoline power and eSave which relies on the gas engine and saves the electric battery. Other than that, the cabin layout and available features are very similar to other Jeep Wrangler models.
Forge a Path Forward with the Wrangler 4xe
The Wrangler 4xe is on the front line of Jeep’s electrification push in North America. The company has committed to produce 30 models with electrified powertrains for worldwide consumers by 2024. Jeep Compass 4xe and Renegade 4xe plug-in hybrid models are available now and next year, the automaker will unveil its all-electric Recon model and its Wagoneer S all-electric adventure wagons.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe has all the legendary capability and open-air freedom that the Jeep brand is known for, now with a plug-in electric boost that takes adventure to new places… and does it quietly. Offered in base trim as well as Sahara and Rubicon variants, MSRP starts at $54,765.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is in showrooms now. To find one near you, visit our GreenCars Marketplace powered by Driveway.
