A press release by Stellantis claims that Jeep Wrangler 4xe Hybrid was the highest-selling eco-friendly off-road-ready vehicle. The average time to get the green off-roader home is 10.5 days. The Hyundai Sante Fe, which sells in 12.8 days, and the Toyota RAV4 Prime (which averages 13.7 days) are two other popular hybrid SUVs this year.
According to surveys, all hybrid vehicles are in popular demand. Yet, Jeep is likely to take the top spot because of the Wrangler 4xe's off-road capabilities. While I’m mindful that not many individuals are fans of PHEVs, they aren’t going away anytime soon, and several models could see solid sales in the upcoming years.
Everyone Loves The Jeep Wrangler 4xe
The aggressive lease deals by Stellantis are likely to have played a significant role in the model's success. How aggressive? For 36 months, you can expect to pay around $265 per month, with $3,985 due at the signing. This is on a Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe that retails at $51,300. It also includes Jeep's $1 495 destination fee.
The Toyota RAV4 Prime is also a popular model among the audience that retails at $39,425, including the $1,175 destination charge. The monthly lease payment for this vehicle would be $444. It is available to lease for 36 months and 12,000 miles per annum. There are $3,094 payments due at signing. It's a simple decision with this price difference.
Instead of buying them outright, we don't know how many Wrangler 4xe Jeeps have leased. It would be reasonable to assume that leases account for a significant portion of the total Wrangler sales of 69,020 units in the first quarter. Stellantis's stated that Jeep sold 8,346 Wrangler plug-in hybrids in Q1 2022. This accounted for 18% of Wrangler sales. Notable is also the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Jeep's sibling brand, which accounted for 4164 sales in Q1 2022, 16% of Pacifica's total. In Q1, Toyota reported 5,233 sales of the plug-in hybrid.
What does this all mean for consumers? It's a highly affordable way to buy a Wrangler that has a higher-than-average fuel economy. If you are looking for cheap used cars, likely, there will soon be a lot of Wrangler 4xe models.
Toyota stated that it plans to produce 20,000 units annually of the highly-coveted RAV4 Prime. However, it has not shown any signs of increasing that number significantly. It is the most popular vehicle in America and has the most significant percentage of hybrid sales. So it is hard to argue that there isn't enough demand. Volvo claims that over a quarter of its sales are Recharge models, which include all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars. However, the 6,018 total plug-ins do not match that of one Jeep model.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe Is An Off-Road Ready Hybrid
The most efficient Jeep available, the Wrangler 4xe, is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder powertrain. It makes 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. You can get up to 49 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent) and 21 miles with electric. When a four-wheel drive is employed, the 4xe can go from 0 to 60 mph in just six seconds.
Plug-in hybrids combine the best of both electric and gas vehicles. They offer efficient electric-only usage around town and take away low-range anxiety for long trips when the gasoline engine kicks on. The charging time for a 110-volt wall outlet takes 12 hours, while Level 2 charging with 220 amperes takes only two hours. Average drivers travel less than 40 miles each day, so the 4xe can travel half of that distance without any fuel.
This Wrangler's off-road capabilities have been enhanced by electrification. With its 10.8 inches of ground clearance, the 4xe can withstand water up to 30 inches. The electric motor's instant torque makes it great for rock climbing. The 4xe is equipped with Dana 44 axles and a 2-speed transfer case for four-wheel driving. You can adjust the speed with the manual shift mode of your transmission alone, and the motor provides a precise throttle response. Jeep asserts that the battery can supply hours of off-roading and an abundance of fuel to get you back home. Jeep has also established solar-powered public chargers at trailheads all across America so that you can charge up before and after your four-wheelin' adventures.
The hybrid Wrangler has throttle by wire braking, and an electric motor is fed by regenerative braking. The maximum regenerative braking allows one-pedal driving. You can take your foot off the accelerator to slow down the Jeep, but you need to use the brake pedal to stop it completely. Jeep Performance Parts offers a 2.0-inch lift kit, including Fox shocks and front lower control arms, stabilizer link, and bump stops, for $1495. Additional performance accessories include steel tube doors and steel rock rails. The 4xe is available in Sahara and Rubicon trims, and there is a rumor that an all-electric version will be called Magneto.