Jeep fans now have something to look forward to if the reports and rumors about the new hybrid Jeep are anything to go by. For years, we’d heard rumors that FCA is working on releasing a hybrid Jeep for the American market and it seems that the long wait is finally over. Europe already has the Renegade 4xe and the Compass 4xe and we were feeling a little left out over here. Until now.
The first plug-in Jeep in the US is dubbed the Jeep Wrangler 4xe (pronounced four-by-E) and it’s touted to be a quiet, fuel-efficient machine that will be just as home eating up the trails as on pavement. While this is the first electrified Jeep in the US, there’s already word that a fully electric Jeep is also on the way.
Let’s take it one hybrid Jeep at a time and examine what we know and have heard about the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and see if it will be worth the hype and price.
What Stands Out on the Hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe?
From early reports, it’s clear that the hybrid Wrangler will come with plenty of unique upgrades that make it stand out from others in the Jeep lineup. For one thing, this will be an eco-friendly gasoline-electric model – a quality that will definitely appeal to those interested in conserving the environment. This, however, doesn’t mean that it lost any of the iconic off-roading prowess that Jeeps are known for. In fact, the 2021 Wrangler 4xe is still as capable off-road, and maybe even more so, than the regular Wrangler.
It also packs quite a punch under the hood with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque thanks to a powertrain consisting of FCA’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combining efforts with a single electric motor through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Additionally, the electric component makes this hybrid more fuel-efficient compared to other Jeep models. Once you switch to the pure-electric driving mode, you can drive for about 20-30 miles on a full charge. This might not seem like much but keep in mind that can easily cover the average citizen’s daily commute.
What do We Know About the Jeep Wrangler 4xe?
While Jeep hasn’t revealed how much the hybrid wrangler will cost, it’s still expected to get to dealership showrooms early next year. In the meantime, we’ll share what we’ve learned about it so far. Here are some things to note:
The usual Jeep components have been upgraded
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The hybrid Wrangler 4xe comes equipped with a 2-speed transfer case that enables full-time 4WD. It also has 10.8 inches of ground clearance which will come in handy when crawling over obstacles on the trail. It also has a pair of Dana-sourced solid axles on both ends as well as the ability to ford up to 30 inches of water. Don’t worry about the electric components getting water in them as Jeep assured fans that high-voltage components are safely sealed and waterproof.
The charging component
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The guys at Jeep haven’t disclosed the Wrangler 4xe’s plug-in charger compatibility or the charging time yet. What we do know is that the charging port is located on the left front cowl, making it more convenient to park nose-first at charging stations. Additionally, the charging port has an LED light to indicate the charging status with an LED display on the instrument panel to show you the battery’s state of charge.
The Wrangler 4xe has 3 “E-Selec” Settings
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These are the driving modes and they can be activated by buttons found to the left of the steering wheel. There is the Electric Mode- which allows you to avoid using the gas engine until the battery’s charge is depleted. Then there’s the Hybrid Mode which is the default setup allowing you to use electric power and gasoline as needed. The last one is the eSave Mode which relies on the gas engine for propulsion while saving the battery energy for when it’s really needed.
Regenerative braking
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The braking system on the hybrid Jeep Wrangler combines the traditional friction brakes with the maximum amount of regen when the brakes are applied. The Jeep’s Max Regen function increases the amount of regenerative braking from the electric motors and also offers one-pedal braking.
Classic but slightly different appearance
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At first glance, the Wrangler 4xe looks just like other non-hybrid Jeeps. What distinguishes it from the others is the electric blue accents that indicate this model’s hybrid power. On the rugged Rubicon model, the blue hue is featured on the front and rear tow hooks as well as on the hood decal and around the exterior badges. The blue color also makes an appearance in the Jeep’s interior with electric blue stitching on the trim panels and seats, giving the hybrid a unique look, setting it apart from its other Jeep compatriots.
For those wondering about the trims that will be offered for the hybrid, we know it will be available in base, Rubicon and Sahara trim levels.
Overall, the hybrid Wrangler 4xe’s fuel-efficiency, the powertrain’s extra oomph combined with the near-instant thrust of its electric motors makes it a potentially powerful off-roading machine as well as a competent daily driver.
Does the hybrid Wrangler deserve all the hype? The only way to know for sure is to get our hands on one and test it out for ourselves. Since this is an off-roading rig, we at Dixie 4 Wheel Drive can hardly wait to see what Jeep modifications and upgrades will be available for this ride. Building custom 4×4 Jeep builds is our thing and we’re excited to get working on bespoke builds for our clients in the near future.
Until then, don’t hesitate to bring in your current Jeep models to any of our auto shops in Utah, especially if you’re planning to tackle our world-famous off-roading trails. We have a range of trail prep and safety packages to get your rig trail-ready, so pay us a visit. We look forward to serving you.
