Overview If you’re after a purpose-made rock-crawler that mixes gas and electricity, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe hybrid is currently the only SUV that can meet your conflicting needs. It combines the tried-and-tested chassis of the regular Wrangler with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, turning a very trucky SUV into a slightly more eco-friendly trucky SUV—assuming you keep it charged up.The ability to drive partially on electrons will cost you more up front, but there’s a performance benefit to opting for the hybrid. The Jeep’s four-cylinder hybrid setup delivers a whopping 470 pound-feet of torque to the wheels—matching the borderline-crazy V-8 Wrangler Rubicon 392 in low-end power. That aids not only acceleration but also off-road obstacle-coursing. And you can outfit the 4xe as you would any other Wrangler, with a hard or soft top, a locking rear diff, rock rails, rubber ducks, and even a snorkel.
Expert Tip: The Wrangler 4xe only comes as a four-door; the two-door Wrangler is not available with the hybrid powertrain. If you don’t need to climb boulders but want a Jeep with a hybrid powertrain, give the hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe a look while you’re in the Jeep showroom. What’s New for 2026?We expect the Wrangler 4xe to enter 2026 with no notable changes.What’s Your Car Worth?Car and Driver calculates your car’s value in three free and easy steps – using the same Black Book® data dealers use to appraise vehicles.Get your trade-in valuePricing and Which One to BuyThe Willys trim gets a lot of gear for its modest upcharge over the base model. It boasts a locking rear differential, different gear ratios, rugged tires that increase ground clearance, rock rails, a towing package, and LED headlights and fog lamps.Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Hybrid Powertrain: turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and one electric motor, 375 hp combined
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: four-wheel drive
The Wrangler 4xe’s hybrid powertrain—pairing a turbo-four with a modestly sized lithium-ion battery, an electric motor, a motor-generator, and an eight-speed automatic—is similar to the one used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. It makes more horsepower and torque than the nonhybrid Wrangler’s standard 3.6-liter V-6 and matches the thumping V-8 Rubicon 392’s torque (but not horsepower).Although the current Wrangler (known as the JL to Jeep enthusiasts) is much improved over previous generations in terms of handling and on-road comfort, it’s still trucklike in comparison with today’s more finely honed SUVs and pickups. This four-door-only model maintains its composure over rough surfaces, but braking is inconsistent, and the steering requires constant correction at speeds above 25 mph, like it does in all Wranglers. Also, the hand-off between the gas and electric powertrains is often clumsy, and road noise drowns out cabin conversation.0–60-MPH Times
- C/D 60-mph Test: 5.2 seconds (Rubicon 4xe)
In Comparison: In our testing, the Rubicon 4xe dashed to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, which is pretty quick for a Wrangler. Most of the nonhybrid models have been slower at our test track. A two-door, V-6-powered, row-it-yourself Wrangler Sport hit the mark in 6.1 seconds, while a four-door, auto-equipped Sahara needed 6.8. In fact, among the Wrangler family, only the eight-cylinder Rubicon 392—with its 4.0-second time—could best the hybrid.Additional ResearchTowing and Payload Capacity
- Max Towing: 3500 pounds
The plug-in-hybrid Wrangler is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds, the same rating that applies to most gas-only Wranglers. The optional towing package provides a Class II hitch receiver, a heavy-duty 240-amp alternator, four- and seven-pin adapters, and four auxiliary switches.Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- EPA EV Range: 21 miles
A 14.0-kWh lithium-ion battery can power this SUV for up to 21 miles, according to the EPA. On a common household outlet, the pack needs 12 hours to restore itself to rights. It needs only 2.5 hours on a Level 2 station to do the same. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
- EPA City Rating: 20 mpg
- EPA Highway Rating: 20 mpg
- EPA Combined Ratings: 49 MPGe/20 mpg
The EPA hasn’t released fuel-economy information for the 2026 Jeep Wrangler 4xe yet, but the ratings shouldn’t change. The 2025 model earns estimates of 20 mpg city and 20 mpg highway when relying on gasoline alone. With the motor chipping in, the brute boasts a 49-MPGe rating in mixed driving. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV fuel efficiency. For more information about the Wrangler 4xe’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoFirst Row: Seated close to the upright windshield, the driver faces a narrow, squared-off dashboard punctuated by round air vents and chunky switchgear for the climate-control system, power windows, and infotainment. They have a commanding view of the road, which makes for easy maneuverability, but the view rearward is obscured by thick roof pillars, roll bars, and various grab handles. It’s also noisy inside when the gas engine is running or when motoring down the Interstate, where the wind howls around the blocky body. Second Row: The second row will accommodate adults just fine. But if anyone claims they’re feeling claustrophobic, that’s reason enough to pop the top and remove the doors.Cargo Capacity: The Wrangler has plenty of space in the back for groceries. The 4xe’s battery pack consumes five cubic feet of seats-down cargo capacity, leaving owners with a total of 67 cubes (versus 72 in the nonhybrid Wrangler). Those seats don’t fold flush with the floor, though. Infotainment and Connectivity
- Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Audio Systems: 8-speaker stereo (standard), 9-speaker Alpine stereo (optional)
Every Wrangler 4xe comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen running Jeep’s intuitive Uconnect 5 software. Alternatively, users can pull up the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto interface without a cable. Jeep offers built-in navigation along with a catalog of over 3000 trail maps for serious off-roaders. It’s also worth noting that air conditioning is standard. Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesWe’re underwhelmed with the Wrangler 4xe’s driver-assistance suite. Jeep charges extra for pretty typical stuff.
- Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control
- Optional Safety Features: blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beams
For information about the Wrangler 4xe’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.Warranty and Maintenance CoverageJeep matches its rivals in warranty coverage, but it offers the nice perk of free scheduled maintenance for two years.
- Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
- Battery-Component Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary Maintenance: two years
C/D Test Results and Specs We test hundreds of vehicles each year. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that’s because the current model hasn’t changed from when we last tested it.SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe
Vehicle Type: front-engine, mid-motor, rear-/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $63,290/$79,345
Options: Rubicon X package (steel bumper, safety group, technology group, convenience group, power-adjustable leather seats, body-color fender flares), $9000; Sky One-Touch Power-Top (removable rear-quarter windows, power-top quarter-window storage bag), $3995; Warn winch, $1995; Bikini Pearl paint, $895; Preferred Mopar all-weather floor mats, $170
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 270 hp, 295 lb-ft + AC motor, 134 hp, 181 lb-ft (combined output: 375 hp, 470 lb-ft; 14.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack (C/D est); 7.2-kW onboard charger)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: live axle/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 13.0-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
LT285/70R-17 116/113Q M+S 3PMSF
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 118.4 in
Length: 188.4 in
Width: 73.9 in
Height: 73.5 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 56/51 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 67/28 ft3
Curb Weight: 5568 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.1 sec @ 96 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 99 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 202 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.72 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/20/20 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 49 MPGe
EV Range: 21 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
