I know what you’re thinking. An electric Jeep? What kind of a wussy vehicle is that??
After driving around a 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe for two full days, I’m here to tell you: it’s every bit as tough and rowdy as you would expect a Jeep Wrangler to be.
It’s got all of the off-road capability of a gas only (ICE) Jeep. It’s extremely practical. Very easy to drive. And it’s built like a tank.
If this is the future we’ve been relegated to, I’m all for it.
My full review of the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe plug-in hybrid
It’s important to note that the 2025 4xe is not fully electric. Nor is it 100% gas powered. It’s a hybrid, meaning that it switches between gas and electric modes automatically (depending on driving conditions). There’s no way to drive it exclusively in one mode.
First impressions
I rented this car from Avis at the Denver International Airport. Although I had reserved a Jeep, I did not reserve an electric Jeep. Truthfully? I was apprehensive at first.
BEEFY is the only word to describe a 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe when walking up to it for the very first time. It looks like an absolute monster parked next to the other ‘pedestrian’ rental cars.
This particular Jeep had the Rubicon package, which consists of additional off-road components and gettin’ dirty features. As I said: BEEFY.
Styling and design
You’d never know that this is an electric Jeep just by looking at it. The Rubicon package makes it look as if it’s ready for anything (particularly up or down the side of a very steep mountain). The 2023 Jeep Gladiator that I drove didn’t quite give off that vibe.
This thing turned heads everywhere I went. It’s a good lookin’ rig, sitting high on lifted suspension and knobby tires. It has a presence without being gaudy. Or worse, douchy. Everybody loves a Jeep.
The interior
How surprised would you be if I told you that the interior of this 2025 Wrangler 4xe was a fantastically comfortable and practical place to be for two full days of driving? Yeah, it’s a bit boxy and rugged, but it’s comfy (and practical to the max).
As far as I can tell, there are no major differences between the 4xe and gas powered versions of the Wrangler (at least when it comes to the interior). They both look exactly the same.
Fun fact: The 2017 Wrangler that I drove to to the top of Haleakala a long time ago had an interior very similar to this, but without all the modern tech of the 2025 (obviously). Why change what has worked for years, right? Props to Jeep for staying true to their roots.
Engine and transmission
The 2025 4xe is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine augmented by electric motors. This hybrid combination produces 375 hp and a whopping 470 lb-ft of torque. There are no 100% electric or 100% ICE modes.
All of this power is delivered through an 8 speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel-drive. Shifts were smooth and barely noticeable. It never felt like it was constantly hunting for the right gear.
It’s also worth noting that this is a plug-in hybrid system, although plugging it in is not required to charge the battery. It will self charge in normal driving (mostly via the regenerative braking system).
Driving impressions
It’s not until you drive the 2025 Wrangler 4xe that you start to notice all the electric / hybrid bits. It’ll constantly jump in and out of electric and ICE modes depending on driving conditions, which can get a bit annoying IMHO. It almost seemed confused at times.
This Wrangler felt surprisingly stable (and comfortable) at higher speeds on the freeway. Not only that, it did pretty OK on twisty mountain roads. After two days of driving it around in all types of conditions, I can confidently say that it would be one heck of a good daily driver.
OK, yeah, it’s a bit tall (and getting into it will be difficult if you’re short), but otherwise the performance, practicality, and outward visibility makes it a pleasure to drive. The rocket-like straight line acceleration is addictive.
Chassis and suspension
The suspension underneath this Rubicon-equipped 4xe is serious:
- Rear suspension: Heavy-duty 5-link solid Dana M220 floating rear axle setup (4.10 gear ratio with an electronic locking differential) featuring coil springs, gas pressurized shocks, and a stabilizer bar.
- Front suspension: Heavy-duty 5-link solid Dana 44 axle setup with coil springs, gas pressurized shocks, a track bar, featuring an electronic sway-bar disconnect feature.
Build quality
Not only was this a rental car, but one with over 33,000 miles on the odometer. And you know what? It felt tighter than the 2025 Mercedes C300 that I recently drove.
It obviously wasn’t quieter, but I was surprised at how well this Wrangler had survived rental car duty as well as it had. Nothing was falling apart. There were no interior pieces coming loose. Nothing squeaked or rattled.
Gas mileage
Gas mileage was probably the most surprising thing about my time with this 4xe. The best I was able to manage was 19 MPG. WTF? What’s the point of the hybrid system if it doesn’t deliver better gas mileage than that? Was it the fact that I was driving in high elevation (Colorado)? I don’t know.
Pros and cons
So yeah. I was apprehensive about driving an electric Jeep. But you know what? It was probably one of the most interesting (and fun) driving experiences of my entire life.
Pros
- Despite the wussy sounding hybrid electric system, it still looks and feels like a proper Jeep.
- It is surprisingly quick in a straight line. Hard to fathom that acceleration in a Jeep could be defined as ‘brutal’, isn’t it?
- It just looks so tough. Rugged. Ready for anything.
Cons
- Gas mileage was surprisingly poor despite being a hybrid electric vehicle.
- I’m not a fan of the way that it jumps in and out of electric and ICE modes on its own. The engine constantly starting and stopping was a bit annoying.
- Hate to say it, but road noise can be an issue when driving long distances.
