2023 Jeep Wrangler Hybrid Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

7.5/10

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Overview

Consider the Jeep Wrangler an undercover plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Aside from the tiny “4xe” badge on its lower posterior and some additional flashes of bright blue color around the exterior, few casual observers will be aware that this Wrangler packs a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Otherwise, it's straight-up Wrangler: A rugged off-road chassis, removable top and doors, and modern continuation of the timeless Jeep styling that's served it well since its WWII-era inception. The battery and motor provide a mere 21 miles of electric-only driving but, when working in conjunction with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine, conspire to put down a combined 470 pound-feet of torque at an obstacle-conquering 3000 rpm. While those blessed with a short commute and easy access to charging can likely make the 21-mile EV-only side of the equation work, racking up miles in hybrid mode still returns 41 MPGe when starting off with a topped-off gas tank and full battery, according to the EPA. Either way, the Wrangler 4xe represents a baby step into the future without asking for any major concessions other than its significantly higher price of entry, which may or may not be tempered by any applicable state, local, or federal tax credits you may be eligible for.

What's New for 2023?

The Wrangler 4xe carries over with only minimal cosmetic changes for 2023. Two new exterior colors, Earl and Reign join the palette, the former replacing the departed Snazzberry hue. There's also a new front fender decal design that incorporates the American flag.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The Wrangler 4xe is available in the four-door body style only. The base Sahara trim is reasonably well outfitted as Wranglers go with power windows, tinted glass, LED lighting, heated mirrors, cruise control, and an 8.4-inch infotainment screen with navigation and Alpine audio. But price doesn't always equal value, and that's where the Rubicon 4xe shines. For less than $5000, you get front and rear locking differentials, a 4.10:1 axle ratio (standard is 3.73:1), an electronically operated front sway bar disconnect, rock rails, knobby 285/70R17 BF Goodrich KO2s off-road tires, and a choice of either the Rock-Trac NV241 transfer case or a full-time, shift-on-the-fly transfer case with a 4:1 low-gear ratio. Adding this laundry list of off-road goodies later would cost at least twice as much. Note that these prices don’t include any state, federal, or local tax incentives or rebates that may be available to hybrid vehicles.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Wrangler 4xe's hybrid powertrain is similar to the one used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated for 270 horsepower and 279 pound-feet of torque handles the internal combustion part of the equation. A motor/generator that replaces the alternator is good for 44 horsepower and 39 pound-feet and a second, larger, motor mounted to the transmission produces 134 horsepower and 195 pound-feet. A 14-kWh battery supplies them with electrons. With a total combined output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, the 4xe has a significant edge over the 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of the 3.6-liter V-6 in the standard Wrangler. It also matches the Rubicon 392's 470 pound-feet of torque but falls short of that model's 470 ponies. Although the handling and on-road comfort of the current JL Wrangler is much improved over previous generations it's still trucklike in comparison with today's refined SUVs and pickups. The ride in the four-door is acceptably smooth over rough surfaces, but braking is inconsistent and the steering requires constant correction at speeds about 25 mph—two observations that will come as little surprise to current and former Wrangler owners. Also, previous testing has revealed the hand-off between the gas and electric powertrains to be occasionally ham-fisted.

0–60-MPH Times

In our testing, the Rubicon 4xe hybrid dashed to 60 mph in remarkable-for-a-Wrangler just 5.2 seconds, nearly an entire second quicker than the 6.1-second time posted by a base two-door Wrangler Sport with the V-6 and the six-speed manual transmission and nearly two seconds quicker than a well-equipped four-door Sahara model with the automatic transmission. Only the muscle-bound Wrangler Rubicon 392 could do better, returning a 4.0-second 60 mph time in C/D testing.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe hybrid model is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds, the same rating that applies to the standard gas-engine Wrangler. A trailer tow package with a Class II hitch receiver, a heavy-duty 240-amp alternator, four-pin and seven-pin adapters, and four auxiliary switches is optional.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid has an EPA-estimated electric-only range of 21 miles. Power is stored in a 14-kWh lithium-ion battery. With a full tank of fuel and a fully charged battery, max electric-plus-gas driving range is 370 miles. Charging is limited to Level 1 (120v) and Level 2 (240v) chargers—DC fast charging is not possible—and the EPA estimates a full recharge of depleted battery can take up to 2.4 hours on Level 2 charger via the onboard 7.2 kW charger, and less time to the recommended 80% mark. The Wrangler 4xe also provides three modes of operation: The default Hybrid mode mixes gas and electric power, prioritizing gas as the battery charge depletes; Electric mode prioritizes EV operation except for short periods when maximum acceleration is required; eSave mode uses the gasoline engine alone in order to save the battery charge for later use.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

According to the EPA, the 2023 Wrangler 4xe hybrid should deliver a combined 49 MPGe and 20 mpg on the gasoline engine alone. When we tested a Wrangler 4xe back in 2021, the best we could do was a real-world 16 MPGe over the course of about 200 miles of driving. But more than 150 of those miles were put on during a single trip; drivers who take more short trips and have the opportunity and discipline to plug in frequently should do much better. For more information about the Wrangler's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

As with its standard sibling, the Wrangler 4xe is not the most spacious or accommodating SUV on the market. But that comes part and parcel with its true-to-its heritage Jeep styling. Thankfully, the added hybrid powertrain takes only a tiny toll in interior volume, the 4xe giving up four-tenths of an inch front legroom and five cubic feet of cargo room in the cargo area with the rear seat folded out of the way (72.4 cubes vs. 67.4 for the 4xe). Otherwise, interior utility is similar—just be aware that its rear seats don't fold flush with the floor. A commanding view of the road—or trail—makes for easy maneuverability, but the view rearward is obscured by thick roof pillars, roll bars, and various grab handles. Need a better view? Just pop the top and remove the doors. Seated close to the upright windshield, the driver and front-seat passenger face a narrow, squared-off dashboard punctuated by round air vents and chunky switchgear for the climate-control system, power windows (if equipped), and infotainment. As an errand runner, the Wrangler offers enough room for groceries and gear.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All Wrangler 4xes include air conditioning and a comprehensive infotainment package running the Uconnect 4C interface with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen. There are three USB-C ports (one media in the front of the console and two charge-only in the back), a 115-volt power outlet, and two 12-volt power ports.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Jeep offers only a handful of optional driver-assistance features but none of the high-tech equipment that we expect to see on vehicles with price tags stretching into the $80,000-plus range. For more information about the Wrangler's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available blind-spot monitoring
• Available rear cross-traffic alert
• Available rear parking sensors

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Jeep doesn't give Wrangler buyers much to get excited about in terms of warranty, with a standard package that includes limited warranty and powertrain policies that toe the same line as its rivals. However, all models do come with three years of free maintenance, and the hybrid powertrain battery carries a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included

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