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For the past week, I lived with the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Willys 41 4xe, a special-edition plug-in hybrid that blends Jeep’s military past with its electrified future. Jeep has been steadily pushing the Wrangler 4xe lineup as the bridge between gas-only models and a fully electric Jeep, and the Willys 41 is their nod to 1941 — the year the original Willys MB rolled onto the battlefield.
The question I had before the keys even hit my hand was this: Can a Wrangler still feel like a Wrangler when it runs on electricity for the first 21 miles, and does this heritage-inspired trim actually deliver something meaningful beyond decals and color schemes? After seven days of city driving, highway runs, and a muddy off-road detour, I think I have the answer.
Exterior: A Tribute to 1941, With Modern Ruggedness
From the outside, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Willys 41 4xe doesn’t hide its heritage inspiration. It comes painted in olive-drab green, complete with stenciled graphics and retro-style decals that pay tribute to the Willys MB. Jeep is leaning heavily into nostalgia here — and honestly, it works. If you’ve ever looked at old photos of the 1940s Willys, you’ll see exactly where this design nods come from.
The squared-off stance, iconic seven-slot grille, and upright windshield are all pure Wrangler DNA, but the Willys 41 feels distinct compared to the more polished Sahara or Rubicon trims. It looks like it belongs out on the trail, covered in dust and mud, rather than polished in a city parking deck.
It’s worth noting Jeep has been leaning hard into retro cues lately, and you can see that in the broader Wrangler lineup. Jeep goes retro with the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys 41, and this trim is the clearest example yet.
Interior of The 2025 Willys 41 4xe: Function Over Luxury
Step inside, and the Willys 41 4xe is more practical than plush. You’ll find five-passenger seating, with 104 cubic feet of passenger volume and up to 67.4 cubic feet of cargo space when you fold the rear seats.
The tan interior accents provide a subtle nod to military canvas tones, and while it’s not luxurious, it feels authentic. Jeep still puts utility first in the Wrangler, and if you’re cross-shopping with a Toyota 4Runner or Ford Bronco, you’ll immediately notice the Wrangler feels less polished inside. But that’s part of its charm – you’re not here for quilted leather and chrome trim.
Touchscreen and Tech: Uconnect Still Delivers
At the center of the dashboard sits Jeep’s familiar Uconnect infotainment system, paired with an 8-speaker audio setup, SiriusXM radio, and voice-activated controls. It doesn’t overwhelm you with tech like some EV-focused crossovers do, and I think that’s the right call.
Yes, you’ll get all the basics – smartphone integration, navigation, and digital memory control – but it’s still straightforward. The Willys 41 is about driving and exploring, not about staring at a giant 15-inch screen. For Jeep buyers, that’s exactly how it should be.
Second Row Seat: Roomy Enough, but Jeep-Style Practical
The second row is better than it used to be in earlier Wranglers, with adequate legroom and headroom for adult passengers. The upright design helps visibility and makes the back feel less cramped than some midsize SUVs.
That said, don’t expect luxury-level comfort back there. The seats are firm and utilitarian, but they do fold quickly to open up cargo space for gear. If you’re planning camping trips or overlanding, this flexibility is more valuable than cushy padding.
Engine, Hybrid System, and Range: The Heart of the 41 4xe
Under the hood is Jeep’s 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4, paired with two electric motors and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The gas engine alone makes 270 horsepower, but combined output is a stout 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers put the Willys 41 4xe ahead of many gas-only SUVs in its class.
The all-electric range is 21 miles, which sounds small, but in real-world use it’s enough to cover most daily errands or commutes. Once depleted, the Willys 41 defaults to hybrid operation, giving you 49 MPGe combined or about 20 MPG combined on gas only.
With a 17.2-gallon tank and charging at home, I was able to cover an entire week’s worth of local driving without ever stopping at a gas station. But on longer highway runs, you’ll see that 20 MPG reality pretty quickly.
Ride and Drive: A Tale of Two Jeeps
On the road, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Willys 41 4xe feels like two different vehicles. In Electric Mode, it glides quietly through neighborhoods, and the instant torque makes it surprisingly quick off the line. It’s a strange but pleasant feeling to drive a Wrangler in near silence.
Switch to hybrid or gas mode, and you’re back in familiar Jeep territory. Yes, there’s still wind noise from the upright windshield, and yes, it’s not as smooth as a crossover on the highway. But Jeep has improved ride quality over the years, and on trails, the 4xe shines.
The low-end torque from the electric motors is especially useful for rock crawling or slow mud work, where throttle precision matters. It feels stronger and more controlled than the gas-only Wrangler trims I’ve tested.
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If you’re wondering how it stacks up in Jeep’s broader electrification strategy, the company has been steadily broadening the 4xe portfolio. The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Backcountry adds luxury and road performance, showing Jeep is experimenting with different buyer profiles. The Willys 41 leans heritage and adventure.
Specs and Capability: Still a Real Jeep
Let’s not forget this is still a Jeep Wrangler at heart. The payload capacity is 1,270 pounds, and it can tow up to 3,500 pounds — enough for a small trailer or weekend toys.
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 6,450 pounds, with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 9,100 pounds. In other words, it has the bones to handle rough work.
If you want to explore its adventurous side further, remember the Wrangler and Gladiator consistently top industry lists for outdoor lifestyle vehicles. The 2025 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator were just voted top vehicles for adventure, proving Jeep isn’t just cashing in on nostalgia.
Competitors: Bronco, 4Runner, and the Rest
In this price range (about $61K before options), the Wrangler 41 4xe’s main rivals are the Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, and to a lesser extent, plug-in SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
The Bronco delivers modern design and comfort but doesn’t yet offer a plug-in hybrid. Toyota’s 4Runner has the reliability edge but still runs on older tech and lacks electrification. The Outlander PHEV gives you more electric range but nowhere near the Wrangler’s capability.
That’s why Jeep’s strategy here makes sense. They’re offering buyers a trail-ready SUV with plug-in hybrid power, something no direct rival currently matches.
And if you’re wondering how far Jeep plans to take the electrification push, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler is going green in a very serious way.
Charging and Daily Use of the Wrangler Willys 41 4xe: Living With a Plug-In Wrangler
Here’s the question most Wrangler fans secretly ask: How easy is it to live with a 4xe if you don’t already own an EV? The good news is that the 2025 Wrangler Willys 41 4xe charges fairly quickly, depending on your setup. On a standard household 120-volt outlet (Level 1), you’re looking at 12+ hours for a full charge — fine if you just plug in overnight. Step up to a 240-volt Level 2 charger, and that time drops to about 2 hours for a full battery.
Jeep doesn’t bundle a home charger, but it does partner with charging companies to make installation easier. For most owners, charging overnight in a garage will cover their 21 miles of electric range for daily errands or commutes. What’s interesting is how useful that range actually is: during my week of testing, I went multiple days without using a drop of fuel, simply because my driving fit into that EV window. If your lifestyle includes short trips, the Wrangler Willys 4xe can feel like a full EV in practice.
That said, Jeep owners buy Wranglers for adventure — and that’s where hybrid mode comes in. Off-road or on a long trip, you don’t worry about range anxiety. You’ve got a 17.2-gallon tank backing you up. This dual personality — EV during the week, gas-electric hybrid on the weekend — is what makes the Wrangler 4xe lineup work.
Cost of Ownership: The Price of Plug-In Adventure
Let’s be blunt: $73,000 for a Wrangler with cloth seats is a talking point that won’t go away anytime soon. Buyers are paying for heritage, electrification, and capability, not luxury. But what about long-term costs?
First, the fuel savings can be meaningful if you charge regularly. Owners who stick to EV mode for short commutes will barely visit gas stations. At 49 MPGe combined, energy costs are lower than a traditional Wrangler, though once the battery is drained, the gas-only 20 MPG figure feels more familiar — and less impressive.
Second, there’s the matter of incentives and tax credits. Depending on your state and federal eligibility (and Jeep’s assembly details at purchase time), the Wrangler 4xe may qualify for tax breaks or rebates that reduce the real cost. Jeep has also offered employee pricing deals and sales boosts in the past (like we reported here), so shopping timing matters.
Maintenance is another angle. The plug-in system adds complexity, but Jeep backs the battery with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, giving peace of mind. Routine maintenance like oil changes will be less frequent if you drive mostly electric, but you’ll still face Wrangler-specific costs: tires, off-road wear, and accessories.
Finally, resale value. Wranglers traditionally hold value better than most SUVs, and Jeep is positioning the 4xe as the future of the brand. That could help long-term demand, though buyers may wonder about battery health 8–10 years down the road.
So yes, the Willys 41 4xe comes at a premium, but some of that cost is offset in daily use and strong resale — as long as buyers see value in owning a plug-in Wrangler.
Final Thoughts: Is the Willys 41 4xe Worth It?
After a week with the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Willys 41 4xe, I can say it’s both a Wrangler in spirit and a Jeep pushing toward the future. The heritage styling is genuinely appealing, the plug-in hybrid system works surprisingly well for daily use, and the off-road performance benefits from that instant electric torque.
The downsides? The price tag is steep, and if you’re not diligent about charging, you’ll quickly find yourself running a $60K SUV that averages about 20 MPG. But for buyers who want a Wrangler that honors Jeep’s roots while also giving them a taste of electrification, this trim hits the sweet spot.
I’ll leave you with two questions:
- Would you pay more for the Willys 41 heritage edition over a standard Wrangler 4xe, or do you see it as mostly a styling package?
- Do you think 21 miles of electric range is enough for your lifestyle, or would Jeep need to push further to convince you?
Drop your answers and experiences in the comments below — I’d love to know how Jeep fans and first-time buyers see the future of the Wrangler.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
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Source: torquenews.com
