This Is Why Off-Road Enthusiasts Should Consider Buying The Jeep Wrangler 4xe

2022-10-08 11:24:29 By :

Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today

As the first installment in Jeep's ambition to electrify its entire SUV lineup, the industry received the Wrangler 4xe with a lot of excitement.

It was last year when Jeep threw in the most technologically-advanced, eco-friendly, and powerful Wrangler ever, the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Wrangler, which paired the Wrangler’s already potent turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. This allowed owners to commute around the city in complete electric mode with zero emissions and enjoy a smooth on-road driving experience – plus the enhanced off-road capabilities and electric driving range. The development of a hybrid off-road SUV is an intriguing new direction for Jeep, moving the Wrangler lineup ahead of the Bronco, which is still as gas-guzzling as ever.

As the first installment in Jeep's $10 billion ambition to electrify its entire SUV lineup, the industry received the Wrangler 4xe with a lot of excitement and promise for the future. Of course, the company also announced plans to release four electric vehicles in the near future for the European and U.S. markets, two of which we've already seen. So, there's clearly a lot on the burners.

This time around, the Jeep lineup gets a new Xtreme Recon package for various trim levels. This package darkens the exterior features, installs 35-inch all-terrain tires, and raises the suspension by 1.5 inches. The more powerful V6 engine is standard on this variant. But the Wrangler 4xe, in particular, also receives a unique set of modifications of its own for the 2022 model year. This includes an enhanced version of the predecessor’s ADAS system, new paint options, and more roof styling selections for every adventurer.

Read on as we break down the Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s amazing features, and why it’s worth every penny.

Related: Here's What We Love About The All-Electric Jeep Recon

Like the mainstream Wrangler, the 4xe is home to all the good stuff, like the locking differentials, skid plates, a transfer case, and most importantly, the part-time and full-time four-wheel-drive system.

Despite this, the gas-propelled Rubicon still holds the title of the best off-roading Jeep, in part due to its removable front stabilizer bar, big tires, rock rails, and heavy-duty axles, among other things. But because of the additional protection required for the battery, the 4xe version has somewhat less departure clearance than a Wrangler Rubicon. Still, we believe that is a minor price to pay for what you receive.

The combination of the turbo gasoline and electric powertrains promises instant torque availability and better performance, making the uncontested off-road champion even more capable and unbeatable on trails. As a plus, the increased weight of the 4xe's powerplant also helps to smooth down the Wrangler's ride when on the highway.

RELATED: Here's How Jeep’s New 4xe SUV Lineup Plans To Disrupt The EV Space

Despite a few minor elements having changed over the years, the Wrangler still appears very much like it did when it originally appeared, with the cool-looking retro-style design and high stance. The 2022 Wrangler lineup tops this up with more aggressive and modern styling elements.

It also includes a Corning Gorilla Glass windshield. This windshield, also included as standard on the Rubicon, combines a 52% thicker outer ply with an ultra-thin Gorilla Glass inner ply. According to the brand, the new windshield mixture makes the glass up to “three times more resistant to chips, cracks, and fractures”, which, is certainly a good feature for an SUV that’s born for off-road driving. New exterior colors for the Wrangler 4xe include High Velocity Metallic Clear Coat and Silver Zynith Metallic Clear Coat.

The Sunrider Flip Top adds a new level of airiness to the Wrangler 4xe, particularly the first row. This Flip Top comes fully completed with mounting rails and consists of the same black twill material as some convertibles. When combined with the detachable doors, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe fully embodies the spirit of adventure.

RELATED: These Are The Pros And Cons Of The Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s powerplant combines two electric motors and a 2.0-liter Inline-4 engine, churning out an outstanding 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of immediate torque, which is a significant boost over the Wrangler's base V6. Also, you can drive Wrangler 4xe in a 4x4 configuration for up to 20 kilometers on the 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack alone, making it a fantastic everyday driver. Drivers can enable the Electric mode via buttons that are on the left of the steering wheel.

While the engine rumbles and the transmission controls the pace, the cabin keeps you safe and comfortable. Thanks to the 2022 Wrangler’s more boxy design approach, the vehicle offers a lot of headroom for all five passengers in the four-door model. No matter how far the travel is, you’ll always feel pleasant thanks to the luxurious seating on both rows. The cabin itself comes with a more simplistic and intuitive layout, though with a lot of controls.

And, in order to give you the greatest and most up-to-date driver support, the upgraded ADAS system list now includes standard Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection, rearview camera, and front and rear Park Assist. The center of the dashboard houses an 8.4-inch Uconnect system screen with ultra-sharp graphics and quick response. The system has smartphone connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard.

Wilfred Nkhwazi is a screenwriter, actor, and sports car enthusiast from Blantyre, Malawi. He has written 2 feature films and a thriller trilogy. Wilfred is pursuing an Electric Car Technology program and spends a lot of his time writing for hotcars.com, penning down fast whips, celebrity collections, and everything else in-between. When he isn't writing, he loves to take long drives around the city, make music, and drink hot chocolate.