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2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe: What Are the Changes In the 2024 4xe? – There aren’t many automobiles that can match the Jeep Wrangler’s level of cultural significance. The legendary Jeep is a lineal descendant of the military vehicle that saw us through World War II, and in modern times, it is largely considered to be among the most competent factory off-roaders that have ever been constructed. The 4xe model was Jeep’s first plug-in hybrid when it was introduced in 2021, and significant upgrades have been made to it for the current model year.
Review
Some people may not be interested in the Wrangler, but those who do like it really like it. All of this show is backed up by the go of locking differentials, detaching anti-roll bars, and solid axles, which speaks to the fact that the Jeep’s shape is indisputably boxy and utilitarian, which speaks to its objective. The Wrangler is one of the few vehicles that can even come close to competing with its rock-crawling, trail-gobbling, and Overlanding capabilities. Due to the vast number of in-market and aftermarket customization choices that are available, the Jeep, which has been around for a long time, is also among the most popular platforms for modification.
We are generally delighted with the plug-in hybrid powertrain that comes standard on the 4xe, despite the fact that certain customers may be lured to the straightforward nature of Jeep’s V-6 engine. We are impressed by the electric system’s quick low-end torque as well as its range of 21 miles. Additionally, the additional weight lowers the Wrangler’s center of gravity, which helps to offer some stability. Additionally, one of our favorite features of the 4xe is that the motor is connected to the 4WD system; this allows the vehicle to be used off-road with the same degree of capability regardless of whether the engine is running or not. However, we have experienced a strange sensation when using the brakes at low speeds, and the efficiency improvements that the plug-in hybrid offers over the standard gas-powered Wrangler are lost if the battery is not regularly recharged.
The capability of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe comes at the cost of some sacrifice. The solid front axle requires a recirculating ball steering mechanism, which is, at best, ambiguous. Additionally, the ride quality suffers due to the use of large, heavy tires at each corner of the vehicle. Even though it has helpful features like a large screen and plenty of driver assistance systems, this crossover is not a comfortable option for transportation. Wrangler fans may swiftly get beyond the inadequacies of their steeds since there is a good reason why these things are so popular.
The driver assistance features offered by Jeep have been upgraded for the 2024 model year. Both adaptive cruise control and a warning system for impending collisions are now standard features. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning are both optional features on all other configurations of this vehicle, however, they come standard on the High Altitude and Rubicon X models.
In addition, the Wrangler now comes standard with side curtain airbags for the first and second rows of seating, as well as a windshield made of Gorilla glass. It has not established a strong track record of being a particularly crash-worthy car in earlier model years. The rollover rating for the base gas variant of the 2023 Wrangler was given by the NHTSA to be disappointing at three stars, while the IIHS awarded the Jeep mediocre results for its crash tests, including a Poor rating for the new moderate front overlap test as well as Poor-Marginal ratings for its headlights.
The Power Box is a feature that is brand new for the 2024 model year and is available on the Wrangler 4xe. You are curious, aren’t you? The option adds an extra battery pack to the PHEV Wrangler, and it comes equipped with four 120-volt outlets and a combined output of 30 amps. This allows the vehicle to power accessories and charges gadgets when it is parked at a work site or a campsite.
It makes perfect logic to believe that the range of an electric vehicle is a significant factor in determining how many such vehicles are sold. Because there are simply no charging facilities for electric vehicles in many remote locations, taking a road trip there in one of these vehicles may be a stressful experience, especially if you chance to run across substantial roadwork that requires you to take another route. The 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe has shown that this is not the case, despite the fact that this is likely a factor in the purchasing choice of many people interested in purchasing an electric vehicle.
This is due to the fact that the Wrangler 4xe has a maximum electric range of just 22 miles. Because it is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV for short, there isn’t nearly as much need to have a really long range. Despite this, there is an increasing need for even plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to have a greater range.
It would seem that the Wrangler 4xe is an exception to this rule, seeing as how its popularity has not diminished over time. This most likely has something to do with the range of 49 mpge, which is what many drivers of Wranglers who are used to a considerably lower fuel economy range are particularly worried about.
Changes
At this week’s 2023 New York Auto Show, Jeep’s legendary Wrangler SUV was given a plethora of improvements and changes that will be implemented for the 2024 model year. However, as someone who enjoys driving electric cars, I am most curious about the updates that have been made to the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe. A new Sport S 4xe trim level will be added to the range this year. It will have a cheaper starting price, which should help solidify the Wrangler 4xe’s claim to being “America’s bestselling PHEV model.” In addition, all Wrangler 4xe versions will get new hardware, features, and optional extras as a result of the upgrade.
Inside and exterior, every single 2024 Jeep Wrangler, regardless of whether or not it is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), will have a newly updated look. The Jeep faithful may notice a modest remix of the famous seven-slot grille and round-eyed fascia that are the characteristics of the Wrangler brand, with distinct treatments for each possible trim level. Nonloyalists probably wouldn’t even notice the refinement without taking a side-by-side glance at both vehicles, but those who are loyal to the brand may notice the change.
The new Sport S 4xe model is the entry-level plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) for the Wrangler series. Its packing is comparable to that of the standard, non-hybrid Wrangler Sport S 4×4. Jeep says that it will arrive at a beginning price that is cheaper than what is now available on its PHEV models; however, the company has not yet disclosed the particular pricing information. Because of this, the “affordable PHEV” sails have had some of the wind knocked out of them; but, the new model will be less expensive than the existing price floor of $56,530 (including the $1,795 destination charge), which is a positive development.
The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle’s powertrain has not been updated after the recent redesign; it continues to consist of a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 100-kilowatt plug-in hybrid system. This setup generates 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a four-wheel drivetrain as standard equipment. After a full charge, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle’s lithium-ion battery, which has a voltage of 400 volts and a capacity of 17 kilowatt-hours, allows for around 22 miles of battery-powered driving, and after that, drivers may anticipate an efficiency of approximately 49 miles per gallon on average.
Inside, the Wrangler 4xe will be available with a whole new touchscreen infotainment system with a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 display. This will be the biggest screen that has ever been made available in a Wrangler chassis. It will include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. That is definitely going to be an improvement that is appreciated by more fashion-conscious drivers of pavement-bound Wranglers.
In addition, the Jeep 4xe Power Box, which is also all-new for 2024, is an onboard 120-volt AC inverter system that adds four NEMA 5-15 outlets to the cabin and shares 30 amps of power. According to Jeep, the Power Box will enable drivers of Wrangler PHEV vehicles to swiftly charge electronic gadgets and tools while they are on the go. Examples of such items include tablets and laptops.
Along with the announcement of the changes, Jeep restated its commitment to provide a completely electrified portfolio (including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric automobiles) by the year 2025, with the number of fully electric Jeep sales climbing to 50% of total Jeep sales by the year 2030.
Interior
When it comes to the cabin, the 2024 Wrangler is not expected to undergo any significant changes. When compared to a gasoline-powered four-door Wrangler, the 4xe’s large battery pack clearly reduces the amount of room available in the trunk. These findings are based on data from the previous year. The interior legroom is comparable to that of another popular plug-in hybrid SUV, the Toyota RAV4 Prime. However, despite the Toyota having greater space behind the back seats, the Jeep being able to accommodate more stuff when the rear seats are folded down gives it the edge.
When compared to the model from the previous year, this may be Wrangler’s most significant advancement. The pre-refresh 4xe was equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system measuring 8.4 inches, but the new SUV comes standard with a massive display of 12.3 inches, in addition to wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Models with a High Altitude trim level or above get GPS and an integrated front off-road camera. The Alpine premium audio system on the Rubicon X has nine speakers.
Engine
The pair of electric motors and the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that comes standard in the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe are carried over. The overall output totals a formidable 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when all three power sources are combined. This makes the 4xe the most powerful and torque-rich model of Jeep’s off-roader unless you want to upgrade to the more costly and thirsty Rubicon 392. We timed the 4xe at 60 miles per hour for 6.8 seconds during our testing.
The combined gas mileage for the 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was rated at 49 miles per gallon equivalent when it was functioning properly (including when the electric motors were engaged). The plug-in hybrid Wrangler was able to travel a distance of 22 miles only on electric power. This was made possible by a huge battery that had a capacity of 17.3 kWh and by aerodynamics that was similar to those of a refrigerator. (As a point of comparison, the Toyota RAV4 Prime, which has a battery that is only slightly bigger at 18.1 kWh, can go 42 miles without turning on its internal combustion engine.)
It would be irresponsible of us not to mention that the efficiency benefits provided by the 4xe are null and void if the device is not routinely plugged in. The V-6 and the 4xe are both rated at a combined 20 miles per gallon after the battery is completely depleted. We do not anticipate any changes in efficiency ratings for the year 2024.
The engine in the new Wrangler 4xe will be the same as in earlier iterations of the vehicle. This indicates that a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 100-kilowatt plug-in hybrid system will be employed. Together, these components will provide 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain will have a four-wheel drive (4×4) drivetrain and an automated gearbox with eight speeds. The lithium-ion electric battery has a voltage of 400 volts and a capacity of 17-kilowatt hours.
Other improvements worth mentioning include a new infotainment system with a touchscreen measuring 12.3 inches and coming equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition to that, there will be a Jeep 4xe Power Box. This is an inverter system that operates on 120 volts AC and provides the Wrangler 4xe with four NEMA 5-15 outlets. This will be a very beneficial move for Wrangler fans who have electronic devices like computers, phones, and tablets that need charging.
It is still unknown whether or not the newly introduced improvements will be made accessible on the Sport trim level. It’s possible that we’ll reserve it for a higher trim level. Whatever the outcome may be, it will be a very enticing inducement for drivers of Wranglers to make the update.
Price
The new Sport S 4xe model is the entry-level plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) for the Wrangler series. Its packing is comparable to that of the standard, non-hybrid Wrangler Sport S 4×4. Jeep has not yet disclosed the particular prices for its PHEV vehicles, but the company has said that it would have a beginning price that is less than what is now available on its PHEV models. That knocks some of the wind out of the sails for the “affordable PHEV” concept, but the fact that the new model will be less expensive than the existing price floor of $56,530 (including the $1,795 destination charge) is a positive development.