2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe Video, Review, And Pricing

By: Peter Gregorian
February 3, 2024

There’s a reassuring feeling knowing that you can traverse any terrain effortlessly and do it while burning virtually no fossil fuels. That is, of course, until the battery drains and you are left stranded in the wilderness. Thankfully, offroad escapades can happen in a relatively eco-friendly manner without fear of getting stuck. If you find yourself off the beaten path with the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe PHEV, like the one Stellantis graciously loaned us for the week, you can enjoy the tranquility of nature while knowing that there’s enough juice for the journey home.

2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe - Driveman.ca

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) are a sound alternative to traditional full-electric vehicles for the simple reason that they bring the best of both worlds – mitigating range anxiety, yet squeezing more mileage out of each tank of gas. When Jeep introduced the 4xe PHEV into its iconic Wrangler line-up, it was clear that this would be a winning formula. The Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe combines traditional Jeep styling and capability with fuel economy never before seen on a Jeep – all the upside with diminished downside.

Diving into the powertrain, the Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe utilizes a hybrid system that pairs the same turbocharged 2.0-liter Inline-4 motor sourced out of the non-hybrid Wrangler with two electric motors and a 400-volt, 17-kilowatt hour battery. This setup produces a jaw dropping 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft. of torque which feels instantaneous when burying the pedal thanks to two electric motors. Although the claimed 0-100 km/h time is six seconds, the sensations from behind the wheel make this 2,313 kilogram (5,100 pound) truck feel faster than it is.

There are three predominant drive modes to choose from – Hybrid, Electric and E-Save. In Hybrid mode, which alternates between the gas engine and electric system, Jeep states fuel efficiency figures of 4.5 Le/100KM for city driving and 5.2 Le/100KM on the highway for a combined fuel efficiency rating of 4.8 Le/100KM. In E-Save mode, which operates strictly on the gasoline motor and actually recharges the battery while driving, fuel economy is claimed to be 11.7 L/100KM combined with 11.6 L/100KM in the city and 11.9 L/100KM on the highway.

In our test, Hybrid was the preferred drive mode for longer jaunts across the city. For short travels, Electric was the mode of choice for its silent operation and perceived low trip cost. E-Save was mainly used when the battery was fully depleted and required a recharge beyond that delivered by the regenerative braking system.

Throughout the test, the Selec-Trac Full-Time 4×4 System was predominantly set in Two-Wheel Drive High which aided fuel economy. Despite riding on 285/70/R17 BF Goodridge K02 All-Terrain tires, the Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe was able to deliver a real world combined fuel efficiency figure of 11.4L/100KM. Notably, after charging the battery to 98%, the vehicle was able to squeeze close to 25km of combined electric range in near-zero temperatures.

Along the lines of charging, on a Level I system (comparable to using a standard 120-volt outlet in the home), a charge time of roughly 12.5 hours was observed at zero-degrees celsius. Using a Level II Flo EV Charger, this time was cut substantially. After less than one-hour of charging (might we note at $1.50 per hour), the Level II system charged the battery from near-empty to 60%. In contrast, Jeep claims a 12-hour charge time on a Level I system and a 2-hour charge time on a Level II.

As with all Jeep’s, or most off-road worthy vehicles for that matter, the ability to switch the transfer case between high-range and low-range gears proves crucial to helping it circumvent the toughest terrain. What sets the Wrangler Willys 4xe apart, however, is its ability to go all-electric while in 4×4 mode. Of course, there is a decrease in electric range, however, the ability to switch to a 4:1 low gear, engage the electric front- and rear-axle lockers and rock crawl silently is an industry first. Furthermore, there is peace-of-mind knowing that when the trail meets a river, the Jeep’s battery is waterproofed for streams up to 30-inches deep – although we left this claim untested.

Carrying over traditional Jeep styling, it takes a keen eye to spot the differences between a regular Wrangler Willys and a Wrangler Willys 4xe. Obvious differences between the two include a charging port located on the fender ahead of the driver door, “Electric Blue” painted tow hooks and 4xe badging with an “Electric 4 Wheel Drive” decal adorned on the rear door. The example on test was finished in a head-turning High Velocity yellow paint and fitted with 17-inch black painted aluminium wheels. Notably, the Wrangler Willys 4xe tested also includes a Tow Package including electrical trailer hook-ups, which allows for up to 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds) of tow capacity albeit a figure shy of the gasoline powered 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) of tow capacity.

Inside, the interior is outfitted with cloth seats featuring 8-way manual driver adjustment and 2-way manual lumbar support. While it is not the most upscale interior, the steering wheel is premium trimmed with contrast stitching adorning the rest of the interior. It does take some time to get comfortable given the manual adjustment and lack of under thigh support, although once settled, the seating position is good and visibility around the truck remains adequate.

A standout feature of the interior is the large, crisp 12.3-inch touchscreen display which is within easy reach of the driver for quick navigation. Android Auto and Apple Car Play connect wirelessly and consistently without any major hiccups. Appreciated are physical climate control switches that are complemented by added adjustability within the infotainment system itself. As part of a $995 Technology Group package, the model on test was equipped with an upgraded Alpine® Premium Sound System which delivered exceptional audio through 9-speaker’s scattered around the cabin.

At the moment, the Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe is offered only in a four-door body style. Stepping into a hybrid Wrangler commands a premium over the conventional powertrain. There are six Wrangler 4xe flavours to choose from with the entry-level Sport S trim starting at $62,385; Willys at $67,190; Sahara at $70,465; Rubicon at $75,965; High Altitude at $84,965, and the Rubicon X at $85,460. Pricing as outlined includes a $2,500 Government of Canada PHEV incentive.

The Willys, as-tested, featured a number of upgrades over the standard kit including High Velocity paint ($195), Safety Group package ($1,195), Convenience Group package ($2,495) and a hardtop in place of the standard Sunrider® Soft Top as part of the Dual Top Group package ($2,695).

Ticking the box for the aforementioned Safety Group package introduces a number of driver assistance and comfort features such as automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, LED taillamps, and a park assist system. Contents of the Convenience Group package include front heated seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry with remote start and a universal garage door opener. All of these are worthwhile upgrades which make commuting in the Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe a comfortable affair.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe PHEV offers an enticing blend of off-road capability and eco-friendliness, bridging the gap between electric and traditional vehicles. With a commanding presence on the road, it effortlessly blends the thrill of immediate power with the capability to conquer multiple driving conditions. Despite its higher upfront cost compared to its gasoline-powered counterpart, the Wrangler 4xe proves its worth in the long run by trimming the bill on yearly fuel expenses and offsetting carbon emissions simultaneously. For the adventurous spirit seeking a versatile and capable truck that also has a strong community built around it, the Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe stands out as the versatile and practical choice.