“Plug Into More Adventure” is the motto around Jeep these days. The arrival of the much-anticipated Wrangler 4xe comes boldly, addressing key issues head-on with plug-in vehicles—especially those vehicles with the brute force and physique of the Wrangler—such as range anxiety, longevity, and overall power. The Wrangler 4xe is a powerhouse of an SUV, and the most electric Wrangler we’ve ever seen. Jeep has just made history with the all-new Wrangler 4xe Hybrid.
The arrival of a new Wrangler is always exciting. Over the decades the Jeep Wrangler has grown up with us, it has become a part of our lives. With that iconic front grille and headlights, the boxy frame, the endless capabilities, the Wrangler is as American as apple pie, and though the times they are changing, Jeep Wrangler is changing right along with them.
With a new electric-hybrid Wrangler, Jeep is putting a bold foot forward and setting a standard for plug-in SUVs. The all-new Wrangler 4xe is everything you want in a Wrangler and so much more.
Capability
The Wrangler 4xe is more than capable. With 470 pound-feet of torque, the 4xe can climb over tough terrain and hit 0-60 miles per hour within 6 seconds. So, it’s tough and fast? No—it’s way more than that.
First and foremost, the new Wrangler identifies as a 4x4. After all, how could a venerable machine such as the Jeep Wrangler deny its roots: traipsing through rock and dirt, pulling and pushing through mud and sand. But over the last decade or so, the Wrangler has become more comfortable, more family-friendly, but without losing its edge and power. Now add some electric sporty speed and the new Wrangler becomes a triple threat.
The Wrangler 4xe provides 375 horsepower and comes with a 2.0-liter, I4 DOHC direct-injection Turbo PHEV engine that allows for the very best power and capability. There’s also a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a regenerative brake booster, and an 8-speed automatic transmission constantly providing power and charge to each wheel of the Wrangler. And what’s really great about all this is that the battery pack and electronics are sealed and waterproofed so you can drive in up to 30 inches of water without any interference.
Range Anxiety
Here’s a quick way to quell that range anxiety: the Wrangler 4xe gets 49 mpg, and it has a 370-mile range!
Since there are different modes the Wrangler 4xe can operate under (more on this in a minute), you are able to maintain control no matter the driving conditions. The E-Save driving mode, in particular, allows you to drive for long distances due to the fact it only uses battery power for low-emissions zones like cities or light off-roading. This saves battery power for later and gives you, the driver, the best of both worlds—a powerful, fun drive that saves power and enables you to drive farther.
Here are more driving modes and cool features to the Wrangler 4xe:
- Hybrid Mode.
This is the 4xe’s default mode, as it combines the turbocharged engine’s torque with the electric motors to provide plenty of horsepower and instant torque, but by using the electric power first. This mode saves on fuel but doesn’t lack any power.
- Electric Mode.
To run fully electric, the Wrangler only requires a 1% charge. Under the Electric Mode, and with a full charge, the 4xe can go for 21 miles, producing almost no tailpipe emissions even at highway speeds.
- Regenerative Braking.
This impressive feature actually charges your battery while you decelerate and brake. The Max Regeneration technology accesses the accelerator pedal and commands more aggressive regen at low pedal positions. What exactly does that mean? It means that the vehicle can slow down without pressing the brake pedal, and while the Wrangler is decelerating, the battery is building power for later use. This feature stays on until you turn it off.
- Rechargeable Feature.
It only takes 2 hours to fully recharge the Wrangler 4xe’s battery when using a Level II charger (240-volt), while it takes 12 hours using the Level I charger (120-volt that comes included with your new 4xe). We strongly suggest purchasing a Level II ($500-$700), especially if you plan to utilize the electric feature of the SUV a lot—and why wouldn’t you?
Incentives for Buying the Wrangler 4xe
Did you know that when you get any new Jeep vehicle you are automatically enrolled into what’s called the “Jeep Wave” program? This is a maintenance-free, thirty-day period for every Jeep purchase or lease on 2021 models. It comes with free maintenance and dedicated support anytime (24/7), plus much more—it’s actually cited on the Jeep website as being “the most valuable customer care program in America.”
But there’s more. There are also state incentives to buying electric or hybrid vehicles. For instance, in North Carolina when you buy a hybrid Wrangler 4xe, you can get a tax credit, called “The Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit,” that offers up to $7,500.
There is also what’s called the “High Occupancy Vehicle Transportation Privilege,” which is a state benefit where qualified plug-in electric vehicles, such as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, are able to operate in the high-occupancy vehicle lanes, but regardless of the number of occupants.
Check out the Jeep website to find out more about state incentives for buying or leasing the all-new Wrangler 4xe.
Wrangler 4xe Versus Land Rover
There is, and has been, a strong debate about who makes a better 4x4—Wrangler or Rover? And with the emergence of a hybrid Wrangler, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit this famous rivalry to see which is the better SUV.
Beginning with price, the Wrangler 4xe and the Rover Defender Hybrid both come at around $47,000. This is steep, but you have to keep in mind the state incentives you will be getting, as well as, all the cash you will save at the pump.
Looking at the standard Wrangler against the standard Land Rover, there are a lot of important aspects to consider:
- Wrangler has more headroom and front legroom
- The Wrangler has more clearance than the Rover
- Wrangler has thicker brakes and lighter rear wheels
- Both vehicles have similar transmission capabilities
- So far, the Wrangler has gone through more rigorous crash testing (and has produced strong results) than the standard Land Rover.
The biggest differences come by way of physique and interior comfort and design. The Wrangler is a bit more bare-boned than the Rover, but that simplicity is one of the aspects that has made the Wrangler popular. That said, there is plenty of new and impressive technology inside the new Wranglers—hybrid or otherwise—not to mention the plush upgrades you can make with seating and the dexterity of the machine as a whole.
But when it comes to driving, both vehicles are pretty similar; that is if you are on the pavement. Off-roading, we like the Wrangler much better. Its open-air design places passengers in nature with removable doors and windows. The Rover just doesn’t have the capability to transform as the Wranglers do, and that makes a huge difference. Then there’s the raw power of the Wrangler 4xe that is so impressive, each mode providing its own unique area of power and precision, 0-60 in 6 seconds, the list goes on.
Here is a specific comparison of key features to a Standard Wrangler, the Wrangler 4xe hybrid, and the Land Rover Defender, just to get a good look at how well the 4xe stands out:
- Engine
Wrangler Wrangler 4xe Rover Defender
3.6-liter V-6 2.0-liter Turbo inline-4 plug-in 2.0-liter Turbo inline-4
- Transmission
Wrangler Wrangler 4xe Rover Defender
6-speed manual 8-speed automatic 8-speed automatic
8-speed auto
- Drivetrain
Wrangler Wrangler 4xe Rover Defender
4-wheel drive 4-wheel drive 4-wheel drive
- Fuel Tank Capacity
Wrangler Wrangler 4xe Rover Defender
17.5 gallons 17.2 gallons 23.4 gallons
- Fuel Economy
Wrangler Wrangler 4xe Rover Defender
17mpg-city 49mpg-combined 18mpg-city
25mpg-hwy 370-mile distance 21mpg-hwy
- Seating Capacity
Wrangler Wrangler 4xe Rover Defender
4 seater 5 seater 5 seater
At Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge, Jeep, Ram we are very excited about the all-new Jeep Wrangler 4xe. A plug-in Wrangler is finally here and it’s more powerful and impressive than we could have imagined. Stop over and test drive one for yourself!
Comments
Post a Comment