Overview
While the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) isn't magically going to eliminate your carbon footprint, it can provide improved overall fuel efficiency when a strict charging regimen is maintained. As a bonus, the 4xe's hybrid powertrain puts down the same 470 pound-feet of torque as the boisterous Hemi V-8-powered Rubicon 392. That said, if your personal situation involves mostly short drives of 21 miles or less at speeds of under 80 mph, the Wrangler 4xe can provide electric-only daily transportation. If a longer commute is the norm and you have access to charging at home and work, you can still see 49 MPGe by the EPA's measure. Besides its hybrid capabilities, the Wrangler 4xe provides the same off-road chops and exhilarating open-air motoring possibilities as the regular Wrangler. Just know that, regardless of the price-inflating upper trims and pseudo-luxury trappings, all Wranglers are still off-road animals at heart, saddled with an occasionally rough and noisy ride and prehistoric handling. On the bright side, there are oodles of factory options to peruse, and a vast network of aftermarket suppliers that make it easy to personalize the 4xe.
What's New for 2024?
First and foremost is the long-overdue standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running Uconnect 5. The new Willys model offers an easy way to get improved off-road performance and equipment at a bargain price. First- and second-row side airbags are now standard, and Trail Offroad navigation software is available. There’s also a new Jeep 4xe Power Box, which features four 120-volt outlets with 30 amps of total output, allowing the battery pack to power external devices.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Wrangler 4xe's hybrid powertrain is similar to the one used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated for 270 horsepower and 279 pound-feet of torque handles the internal combustion part of the equation. A motor/generator that replaces the alternator is good for 44 horsepower and 39 pound-feet and a second, larger, motor mounted to the transmission produces 134 horsepower and 195 pound-feet. A 14-kWh battery supplies them with electrons. With a total combined output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, the 4xe has a significant edge over the 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of the 3.6-liter V-6 in the standard Wrangler. It also matches the Rubicon 392's 470 pound-feet of torque but falls short of that model's 470 ponies. Although the handling and on-road comfort of the current JL Wrangler is much improved over previous generations it's still trucklike in comparison with today's refined SUVs and pickups. The ride in the four-door is acceptably smooth over rough surfaces, but braking is inconsistent and the steering requires constant correction at speeds about 25 mph—two observations that will come as little surprise to current and former Wrangler owners. Also, previous testing has revealed the hand-off between the gas and electric powertrains to be occasionally ham-fisted.
0–60-MPH Times
In our testing, the Rubicon 4xe hybrid dashed to 60 mph in remarkable-for-a-Wrangler just 5.2 seconds, nearly an entire second quicker than the 6.1-second time posted by a base two-door Wrangler Sport with the V-6 and the six-speed manual transmission and nearly two seconds quicker than a well-equipped four-door Sahara model with the automatic transmission. Only the muscle-bound Wrangler Rubicon 392 could do better, returning a 4.0-second 60 mph time in C/D testing.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
According to the EPA, the 2024 Wrangler 4xe hybrid should deliver a combined 49 MPGe and 20 mpg on the gasoline engine alone. When we tested a Wrangler 4xe back in 2021, the best we could do was a real-world 16 MPGe over the course of about 200 miles of driving. But more than 150 of those miles were put on during a single trip; drivers who take more short trips and have the opportunity and discipline to plug in frequently should do much better. For more information about the Wrangler's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Wrangler 4xes include air conditioning and a comprehensive infotainment package running the intuitive, quick-responding Uconnect 5 interface on a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are both standard and work wirelessly. Onboard navigation is standard on the High Altitude and is available as part of an option package on the other trims, as is the Trails Offroad software with over 2000 mapped trails.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Jeep doesn't give Wrangler buyers much to get excited about in terms of warranty, with a standard package that includes limited warranty and powertrain policies that toe the same line as its rivals. However, all models do come with three years of free maintenance, and the hybrid powertrain battery carries a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included
Towing and Payload Capacity
The plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds, the same rating that applies to the standard gas-engine Wrangler. A trailer tow package with a Class II hitch receiver, a heavy-duty 240-amp alternator, four-pin and seven-pin adapters, and four auxiliary switches is optional.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid has an EPA-estimated electric-only range of 21 miles. Power is stored in a 14-kWh lithium-ion battery. With a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery, max electric-plus-gas driving range is 370 miles. Charging is limited to Level 1 (120v) and Level 2 (240v) chargers—DC fast charging is not possible—and the EPA estimates a full recharge of depleted battery can take up to 2.4 hours on Level 2 charger via the onboard 7.2 kW charger, and less time to the recommended 80% mark. The Wrangler 4xe also provides three modes of operation: The default Hybrid mode mixes gas and electric power, prioritizing gas as the battery charge depletes; Electric mode prioritizes EV operation except for short periods when maximum acceleration is required; eSave mode uses the gasoline engine alone in order to save the battery charge for later use.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
According to the EPA, the 2024 Wrangler 4xe hybrid should deliver a combined 49 MPGe and 20 mpg on the gasoline engine alone. When we tested a Wrangler 4xe back in 2021, the best we could do was a real-world 16 MPGe over the course of about 200 miles of driving. But more than 150 of those miles were put on during a single trip; drivers who take more short trips and have the opportunity and discipline to plug in frequently should do much better. For more information about the Wrangler's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
