Jeep gave us more information about the new plug-in-hybrid Wrangler 4xe, which first appeared at CES in January. As promised, it may be the most capable production Wrangler we’ve yet seen. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s the most powerful Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler 4xe will be the most potent Wrangler in production until the V8 version comes on board. It will use a 2.0-liter inline-four hybrid to produce 375 horsepower, a bump of nearly 100 hp from current Wranglers, and 470 lb-ft of on-demand torque, which is more than the EcoDiesel V6.
FCA US LLCYou may be able to commute in EV mode
Jeep says the Wrangler 4xe will earn an estimated 50 mpge (miles per gallon equivalent) and be capable of 25 miles of electric-only range. It will have three drive modes: hybrid, EV only and eSave (mostly gas). It will employ regenerative braking to charge the battery and have a Max Regen mode. If your commute is on the shorter side, you may be able to avoid using gas.
It’s still very much a Wrangler
The 4xe Wrangler meets Jeep’s “Trail Rated” designation and can ford through 30 inches of water. It will operate in 4Lo in all three drive modes. The Rubicon still gets the advanced Rock-Trac 4×4 system, front and rear axle lockers, skid plates, a sway bar disconnect and front and rear tow hooks. The Rubicon 4xe will have the same 44-degree approach angle as the standard Rubicon. Its 22.5-degree breakover and 35.6-degree departure angles are slightly less.
No, it won’t have a manual
Only a niche group, about 10 percent, of Wrangler buyers still buy the manual transmission V6 Wrangler. The Wrangler 4xe will only offer an eight-speed automatic.
FCA US LLC