The Rubicon Revolution: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe

Jeep is paving its way toward electrification with its 4xe series.

In addition to Wrangler Rubicon gasoline-minded adventurers, Jeep has focused on electrification, now featuring multiple 4xe plug-in hybrid (or PHEV) runners as part of their “Road Ahead” program. “The ‘Road Ahead’ celebrates how we are proudly building on our rich 80-year heritage of the iconic Jeep brand and serves as a platform that highlights the vision of the future for the Jeep brand as we commit to making Jeep the greenest SUV brand,” said Christian Meunier, the Jeep brand Chief Executive Officer. “All Jeep models will carry an electrified option in the next few years and will take green and 4×4 technology to the next level.” One such watt-filled wonder is Jeep’s first-ever electrified vehicle: the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe plug-in hybrid.

Not only is this off-roader a great weekend warrior, but it’s also become an off-pavement mainstay, conquering tough trails and grueling competitions, like the Rebelle Rally. In 2022, I joined Emily Winslow and Jeep to pilot one of three bone-stock 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe models through 1,600 miles of desert challenges for the eight-day event. They were one of 54 total teams, with 46 teams running the 4×4 class.

Not only is this off-roader a great weekend warrior, but it’s also become an off-pavement mainstay, conquering tough trails and grueling competitions, like the Rebelle Rally.

Why Rubicon?

“For 80 years, the Jeep brand has been indelibly linked to freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion,” Meunier stated. “These core brand values are embodied in the DNA of every Jeep brand vehicle. Throughout our storied history, Jeep brand vehicle owners have learned that ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ is a way of life, not just a slogan.”

The words Jeep and off-roading are usually spoken in the same sentence—at least for those who seek paths less traveled. Folks are familiar with Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon line-up, which includes the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivering 285 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder showcasing 270 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Those pursuing higher horsepower choose the 392, which debuted in 2021. This powerful beast features a hefty 470 hp with an equal amount of torque. If you’re a diesel fan, a 3.0 V-6 EcoDiesel is also available, which offers 260 hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. It gets the best fuel economy of the bunch, but sadly, is in its final year of production.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe, Explained

First available in 2020, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe plug-in hybrid showcases a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 375 hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. The 4xe’s powerplant is connected to engine- and transmission-mounted motors, as well as a 17.4 kWh battery pack pumping out instant power—a key feature when up-front power was needed to scale huge sand dunes or merge into transit traffic.

In ideal conditions, the four-door Rubicon 4xe generates a total 49MPGe with its all-gas comparative landing at 20 miles to the gallon. However, we averaged less than that during the competition.

The 4xe’s 17.2-gallon tank is the smallest fuel reservoir when compared to other Rubicon models (boasting 21.5 gallons, except for the 3.0 diesel which shaves off 3.2 gallons, sitting at 18.3 gallons). Nevertheless, the Rubicon 4xe features an impressive 370 total miles of range, including 22 miles of pure all-electric juice—a combination that gave us peace of mind in the middle of nowhere. The 4xe teams never struggled with fuel consumption during the eight-day rally, even if their all-electric mileage was depleted.

Driving Experience

Though I typically drive tiny shoebox off-roaders, the four-door 4xe rallier was agile and responsive. Equipped with 10.8 inches of factory ground clearance, it easily went wherever I pointed it, except through thickened trail-side branches that clawed at the vehicle’s body, etching their signature into the rig’s High Velocity-hued paint. Recent rains made tight-trail navigation slow going.

Though I am used to driving tiny shoebox off-roaders, the four-door 4xe rallier was agile and responsive.

The 4xe tester included 285/70R17 BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires, the very same type on my 1994 Mitsubishi Delica van and 2022 Subaru Crosstrek. I knew they’d be in good hands, and I was right; the BFGs didn’t let us down.

Random Challenges

Most rally teams used aftermarket non-GPS-enabled Terra Trip or other approved rally odometer computers to find exact checkpoint locations. However, neither the Terra Trip in the rally vehicle nor Winslow’s back-up rally computer successfully worked, forcing our team to run without one.

So, we used the 4xe’s stock trip odometer from start to finish instead—measuring distances in tenths instead of hundredths. This made it difficult to pinpoint precise places, but the team successfully finished the competition within the Top 20 4×4 teams (of 46 total teams), with Nena Barlow and Teralin Petereit, another team sponsored by Jeep, taking First Place for a second year in a row with their 2023 4xe.

Quick thinking: What started as a mid-day hunt for checkpoints on Day 1 turned into a short troubleshooting session to diagnose random warning lights that appeared on the vehicle’s dashboard. Everything ran smoothly and a fast OBD-II scan produced no codes. I pushed down every fuse and cycled the engine on and off multiple times. The 4xe cleared itself and sprung to life with no future issues. A few fuses rattled loose, a quick fix and they kept on rollin’.

Driving Dynamics

As the days dragged on, bodies grew hungry for comfortable normalcy as teams navigated through merciless topography. Weary minds settled into a new norm as the desert took hold and displayed its mysterious glory for all to see.

Teams endured long hours searching for 158 hidden checkpoints throughout the Nevada and California desert. They encountered challenging terrain like bulging boulders, slick surfaces, and off-camber obstacles.

The Jeep 4xe offers hybrid, electric, and e-save modes to give drivers more control over the vehicle, allowing the choice of running it a few different ways, including an all-electric mode.

Our 4xe used more fuel in e-save mode while shifting it manually than leaving it in full auto with it in hybrid mode. Additionally, the Jeep’s full electric mode was used when technical trails were present, giving us the opportunity to hear how the 4xe was interacting with tough obstacles. Although the accelerator pedal was sensitive at first, smooth and even throttle changes gave way to a comfortable and controlled ride.

Sustained Performance

As desert terrain changed from dirt tracks and rocky trails to loose sand dunes and gnarly sagebrush, our 4xe never bottomed out and kept a calm and steady demeanor throughout the competition. Driver controls were easy to reach, and visibility was excellent, with the exception of the spare tire-mounted MAXTRAX vehicle recovery boards covering up the rear windshield.

Interior setups were basic and intended, though the upholstery was rough to the touch. The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe features a smaller maximum interior cargo capacity than its siblings, 67.4 cubic feet versus 72.4 cubic feet, plus its rear seats don’t fold flat. However, the author’s team found plenty of tie-down points to secure camp and rally equipment with ratchet straps and Tribe One bungee cords.

The Wrangler Way of Life

Other than a few fuses rattling loose, our stock 4xe was mechanically flawless throughout the strenuous 1,600-mile off-road event. Other teams suffered from flat tires and suspension woes, among a host of other problems. However, our yellow 4xe was a rally champ, displaying zero issues. This helps prove why Jeep is a rally favorite among seasoned and rookie competitors alike, with 18 total variants running this year’s event alone.

Other teams suffered from flat tires and suspension woes, among a host of other problems. However, our yellow 4xe was a rally champ, displaying zero issues.

Winslow and I became the first duo to succeed in finishing the rally series previously employing internal combustion engines, an all-electric powertrain (partnering with Volkswagen of America in 2021), and now with Jeep’s first ever plug-in hybrid off roader. We’re also one of a small group of teams who participated in both 4×4 and crossover segments.

The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe isn’t necessarily an opulent 4×4, but it’s an extremely capable one. It’s an ideal platform to run in stock condition, no matter if you’re hitting up backcountry roads or taking it on tougher trails where lockers, disconnecting sway bars, and exceptional ground clearances are required.

You can follow author Mercedes Lilienthal’s adventures on Instagram via @mercedes_lilienthal and @crankshaftculture.

Rubicon Revolution

Editor’s Note: A version of this story previously appeared in the May/June 2023 print issue of Tread Magazine.