The New 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe: A Plug-In Hybrid SUV for Europe

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most iconic and versatile vehicles in the world, offering unmatched off-road capability, open-air freedom, and heritage-inspired design. Now, the Wrangler is also one of the most advanced and eco-friendly SUVs, thanks to the introduction of the new 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, a plug-in hybrid version that combines electric power with a gasoline engine.

The new 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is now available in Europe, offering a unique proposition for customers who want to enjoy the benefits of electrification without compromising on performance, functionality, and adventure. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the first plug-in hybrid model in the Jeep lineup in Europe, and it represents a significant step towards the brand’s goal of becoming the leader in green 4x4 technology by 2025.

What Makes the Wrangler 4xe Different?

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is not just a regular Jeep Wrangler with a battery pack and an electric motor. It is a carefully engineered vehicle that integrates the best of both worlds: the instant torque and efficiency of electric propulsion and the range and reliability of a gasoline engine. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is designed to deliver the same level of performance, capability, and fun as the conventional Jeep Wrangler but with lower emissions, lower fuel consumption, and lower running costs.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with two electric motors that add another 44 horsepower and 39 pound-feet of torque each. The total system output is 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, making the Wrangler 4xe the most powerful Jeep Wrangler ever. The electric motors are integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission and the transfer case, and they are fed by a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is mounted under the rear seat.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe can operate in three different modes: Hybrid, Electric, and eSave. In Hybrid mode, the vehicle automatically switches between electric and gasoline power, depending on the driving conditions and the battery level. In Electric mode, the vehicle runs solely on electric power for up to 25 miles, depending on the driving style and the terrain. In eSave mode, the vehicle preserves the battery charge and runs only on gasoline power, allowing the driver to save the electric power for later use.

The Wrangler 4xe also features a regenerative braking system that recovers kinetic energy during deceleration and braking and converts it into electricity to recharge the battery. The driver can choose between two levels of regenerative braking: low and high. The low level provides a more conventional driving feel, while the high level allows for more aggressive energy recovery and a one-pedal driving experience.

The Wrangler 4xe can be recharged using a standard 120-volt or 240-volt outlet or a public charging station. The charging port is located on the left front fender, and it has an LED indicator that shows the charging status and the battery level. The charging time varies depending on the power source, but it can take as little as two hours using a 240-volt outlet.

How Does the Wrangler 4xe Perform Off-Road?

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is not only a great vehicle for urban and suburban driving but also a formidable off-roader that can tackle any terrain and challenge. The Wrangler 4xe retains the same body-on-frame construction, solid axles, coil springs, and skid plates as the conventional Wrangler, as well as the same ground clearance, approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle. The Wrangler 4xe also features the same four-wheel drive systems as the conventional Wrangler: the Selec-Trac system for the Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe and the Rock-Trac system for the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe.

The Selec-Trac system has a full-time mode that automatically distributes torque between the front and rear axles, depending on the traction conditions. It also has a part-time mode that locks the front and rear axles together for maximum traction. The Rock-Trac system has a 4:1 low-range ratio that provides more torque and control at low speeds, as well as electronic locking differentials and an electronic front sway bar disconnect that enhances the articulation and grip of the wheels.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe also has a unique feature that enhances its off-road performance: the Max Regen function. This function increases the regenerative braking effect to the maximum level, allowing the driver to modulate the vehicle's speed and descent using only the accelerator pedal, without touching the brake pedal. This function is especially useful on steep and slippery slopes, providing more precision and stability.

The Wrangler 4xe also has the same off-road modes as the conventional Wrangler: Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock. These modes adjust the throttle response, the transmission shift points, the traction control, the stability control, and the brake lock differential, depending on the terrain and the driving situation. The Wrangler 4xe also has a new mode that is exclusive to the plug-in hybrid version: the Hybrid mode. This mode optimizes the power delivery and the hybrid system's efficiency, and it is the default mode when the vehicle is started.