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The 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe: a plug-in hybrid with Jeep’s famous off-road ability

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe continues its legacy as an off-road all-star with an iconic design, the latest tech, and plug-in hybrid efficiency. Pricing starts at $49,995.

Jeep boasts that the Wrangler 4xe is America’s best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle, and it’s easy to see why. The PHEV powertrain adds efficiency and excitement to the Wrangler with quicker acceleration than the standard engine in the non-hybrid variant while achieving an all-electric range of up to 21 miles. It sacrifices none of the off-road capabilities that made the Wrangler famous, especially in the Rubicon models.

There are no other PHEV SUVs quite like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The Wrangler’s closest rival is another legendary off-roader, the Ford
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Bronco, which you can’t get as a hybrid.

2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe pricing

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe starts at $49,995. The rugged Willys model begins at $55,330, the nicer Sahara trim starts at $57,440, and the hybrid-exclusive High Altitude model starts at $66,995. As for the adventurous Rubicon models, the hybrid Rubicon starts at $61,180, and the most capable Rubicon X begins at $69,680.

Across the model range, the non-hybrid version of each respective trim of the Wrangler is priced approximately $10K lower than its 4xe counterpart. For example, the 4-door, non-hybrid Wrangler Sport S starts at $39,990, and the hybrid version of the same trim starts at $49,995.

These prices are before any tax incentives kick in, which can vary quite a bit. Depending on where you live, local and state incentives could give you a discount on the Wrangler 4xe.

2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

MSRP

Wrangler 4xe Sport S

$49,995

Wrangler 4xe Willys

$55,330

Wrangler 4xe Sahara

$57,440

Wrangler 4xe Rubicon

$61,180

Wrangler 4xe High Altitude

$66,995

Wrangler 4xe Rubicon X

$69,680

These are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and don’t include the $1,795 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

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Outstanding resale value

Before buying a Wrangler 4xe, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Jeep Wrangler is in our top 10 list for best overall resale value.

What’s new?

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe gets several updates for 2024. An aesthetic refresh brings a redesigned grille, new wheel options, and a stealth antenna integrated into the windshield. A thoroughly updated interior has more soft-touch materials and updated technology like a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Android Auto/Apple
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CarPlay.

Beginning in 2024, Jeep is the first automotive brand to offer built-in off-road adventure guides within its infotainment system. The Trails Offroad guide makes planning off-road adventures easier, providing information like location, difficulty, etc. Jeep includes 200 trails in the system. However, owners can add 3,000 trails with a paid subscription.

A new Willys model adds capability with bigger tires, more ground clearance, and a rear locker. The new peak of Wrangler capability is the Rubicon X model, which adds steel bumpers, 35-inch tires, and an integrated trail camera. The regular Rubicon trim also has some new off-road goodies, namely a Dana 44 HD full-float solid rear axle.

A new 4xe Sport S trim is the new entry-level for the plug-in hybrid powertrain, bringing down the starting price for the 4xe compared to earlier models.

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Power, ride and handling

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is powered by a 375-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive. When we tested this hybrid powertrain on the roads of southern Utah, we were impressed by the quick acceleration enhanced by the electric motors. It’s more fun to drive than the traditional 4-cylinder and V6 models of the Wrangler.

The updates for 2024 make the Wrangler 4xe a more comfortable and road-friendly SUV. The Wrangler is traditionally less refined than more car-like SUVs, including its Jeep Grand Cherokee sibling. But improvements like extra sound deadening, acoustic glass, and a stealth antenna integrated into the windshield help with aerodynamics, road noise, and overall comfort.

Surefooted and determined, the 4xe performs with the same tenacity and confidence as any Wrangler. You would be happily mistaken if you think your off-road experience will be diminished by the Wrangler 4xe and its dual-motor PHEV powertrain. Although always exhilarated, we are never surprised by the Wrangler’s off-road capability. Having piloted the Rubicon 4xe over some technically challenging terrain in southern Utah, we can attest the Wrangler doesn’t lose a step in its PHEV guise.

Efficiency, range, and charging

The Wrangler 4xe has an all-electric range of 21 miles. When that full charge is depleted, it gets a combined fuel economy rating of 20 mpg. That’s the same fuel economy rating as the non-hybrid, 4-door Wrangler with the turbo 4-cylinder engine.

Despite its middling efficiency with a depleted battery, the Wrangler 4xe still has the lowest fuel costs of any Wrangler. According to EPA estimates, the 4xe has a monthly fuel cost of about $170, compared to $225 for the turbo-4.

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Refreshed interior

The interior makeover of the Wrangler 4xe for 2024 is a big step forward in modern design and technology. We think Jeep did an excellent job modernizing the interior of the Wrangler without losing any of its personality.

A new low-profile center panel features Jeep’s excellent Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a backlit 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s easy to view during top-down driving. We were amazed by how little glare it had with the top open. Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, as well. You can also get 12-way power-adjustable front seats, which have been tested for water fording. Yep, the electric seats are fully operational when submerged, which may well happen with the Wrangler’s 34 inches of water-fording capability.

As for interior space, the Wrangler is spacious thanks to its boxy shape. Every 4xe model is a 4-door, and we were impressed with the rear legroom. The Wrangler 4xe has 38.2 inches of rear legroom, which is almost identical to the non-hybrid, 4-door Wrangler and more than the 4-door Ford Bronco.

This Jeep has 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which increases to 67.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Due to hybrid components taking up some space, that’s a bit less than the non-hybrid (31.7/72.4), but still pretty roomy.

Iconic exterior

The Wrangler’s exterior styling has always been more evolutionary than anything else. This is again the case for the 2024 Wrangler 4xe. Two notable exterior improvements are the freshened 7-slot grille that provides wider slots for improved airflow, and the integration of the antenna into the windshield frame.

Engine and transmission

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a pair of electric motors. The total output of this powertrain is a hearty 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It’s matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive. When the hybrid battery runs out, the gas engine by itself produces 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is still more than enough.

Jeep estimates that charging the Wrangler 4xe takes about 12 hours with a regular household power outlet. Upgrading to a Level 2 charger cuts that down to about 2 hours.

Related:  What it’s like to drive the plug-in electric Jeep Wrangler 4xe, off-road and on

3-year/36,000-mile warranty

As is typical among mainstream domestic carmakers, the basic warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Jeep covers the powertrain for five years or 60,000 miles, which is also the industry standard. The battery for the plug-in hybrid system is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. Additionally, Jeep throws in three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Also see: The 2024 Jeep Wrangler: Updated and modernized, and still one of the most capable off-road SUVs money can buy

Safety

The refreshed Wrangler 4xe gets a few additional standard safety features for 2024, like rear side-curtain airbags, structural improvements for side-impact performance, and rear seatbelt pre-tensioners. Standard safety tech features include forward collision warning, advanced cruise control, and a backup camera. Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring and rear parking sensors.

KBB’s car review methodology.

This story originally ran on KBB.com. 

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