Purchasing a vehicle that aligns with your lifestyle isn’t just about body style and color––although those count, too. It’s about the vehicle’s essence and whether it speaks to your individuality. With millions of units sold, it may seem mystifying that Wrangler owners still consider their Jeep one-of-a-kind, created especially for them. But from 1970s-era two-door ragtop CJs to the fully loaded plug-in hybrid 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, individuality infuses these SUVs with something special, an intangible X-factor you won’t find anywhere else.
Beach culture weaves its way through the Wrangler story until one seems incomplete without the other. For years, Wranglers have lined misty coastlines, dislodging surfers, longboards in tow, as they eyed the morning swell. The Wrangler’s open-air curb profile, analog dash, and low-maintenance vinyl interior fit right in with the hedonistic beach culture. Still, even the most laid-back surfer dudes will admit they appreciate a few creature comforts after shredding the corduroy.
The 2023 Wrangler embodies Jeep’s core values––adventure and individuality––with a modern twist. In the race for ever more market share, even the most iconic SUV needed a few bells and whistles. Jeep holds fast to its legendary roots while taking a quantum leap forward with the first-ever plug-in hybrid Jeep in history––the Wrangler 4xe. Surf, sun, and zero-emissions driving open the door to a different, more modern version of the Wrangler ethos: welcome to the eAdventure era.
Today’s Wrangler: Modern Conveniences
How do you modernize an SUV iconized for its utilitarian cabin without losing a grip on nostalgia? Old-school Jeep fans remember hard vinyl seats and long, fussy manual gear shifters. A third of the dash was swallowed up by the passenger grab bar, which––thanks to the old CJ’s rough, bumpy ride––was necessary even on paved roadway. For 2023, Jeep bridges the gap with the classically styled Wrangler 4xe, a modern Jeep infused with high-tech features hiding in plain sight.
From the front view, nothing much has changed. The signature seven-slot grille remains, but now it’s sandwiched by modern LED headlights and daytime running lights. Still Trail Rated, the plug-in Hybrid Wrangler 4xe delivers 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque and an impressive 49 MPGe fuel economy, allowing 370 miles of driving range. Drivers can elect to run on pure electricity, gas power alone, or stick with the default hybrid setting.
The four trims on offer––the Willys 4xe, Sahara 4xe, Rubicon 4xe, and High Altitude 4xe––include many un-Jeep-like conveniences modern buyers will love. These include an available power soft top that eliminates clunky roof panels and all-day commitments to open-air driving. The Sahara trim offers a large 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, remote keyless entry, and premium seating surfaces.
Jeep infuses luxury and modern conveniences in upper-level Wrangler 4xe trims, defying traditional CJ minimalism without compromising the rugged Jeep Wrangler vibe. High-end available features include a nine-speaker premium Alpine sound system, heated leather seats and steering wheel, automatic climate control, and heated outside mirrors. Power windows are also standard in the Wrangler 4xe, along with a push-button start and a seven-inch digital driver display.
Modern Technology
Advanced safety and convenience technologies lead the list of notable upgrades across the four-trim Wrangler 4xe lineup, starting with the standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, which includes a free trial and an option to subscribe after the trial ends. Jeep includes five years of SiriusXM Traffic Service and Travel Link Service on the Sahara, Rubicon, and High Altitude, which provide connected GPS navigation with real-time traffic updates.
All 2023 Wrangler 4xe trims receive standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity for easy access to apps and content and voice texting capability. The Willys trim has a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen. All other trims are equipped with a larger 8.4-inch version. SiriusXM Guardian is the gateway to app-based connected services, which Jeep throws in for free for a year. With Guardian, you can lock/unlock the doors, sound the horn, and locate your Wrangler all from your smartphone.
Throughout the lineup, multiple driver-assist safety and convenience systems make driving easier and less hazardous. The High Altitude includes standard ParkSense, a rear parking assist system that sounds an alert as you approach a hazard, letting you know when you’re fully backed into a parking space. Blind Spot monitoring is also standard on this trim and includes Cross-Path detection that lets you know when a car is approaching from the side when you are in reverse.
Available driver-assist features include Adaptive Cruise Control, a system that automates boring highway drives by slowing down and speeding up to match the traffic flow. Drivers won’t have to tap the brakes or continuously reset cruise control with this feature, which cuts down on fatigue and helps the drive go by a little faster. Forward Collision Warning Plus is another great driver-assist feature found on the Wrangler 4xe.
Throwback Features: Here to Stay
Along with Jeep’s signature seven-slot grille, the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe includes the brand’s signature Trail Rated capability. Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel drive ensures the Wrangler is ready for tackling sandy or rocky beaches whenever you are, and the standard tow hooks on both bumpers and multiple skid plates aren’t there just for show. The Wrangler, even in its most luxurious High Altitude trim, is still designed primarily for off-roading.
One look at the Wrangler 4xe’s capabilities reassures buyers that the newest, most technologically advanced Wrangler is still most at home on the beach. Capable of fording up to 31.5 inches of water, thanks to a fully waterproof battery pack, the Wrangler 4xe is still a Jeep at its core. The Rubicon trim adds very Jeep-like 33-inch off-road tires, a specially tuned Rock-Trac 4×4 transfer case, and front and rear locking differentials with an electronic sway bar disconnect.
MotorTrend notes that the 2023 Wrangler 4xe’s Hybrid capabilities won’t diminish its dominance off-road, calling it “everything we love about the Wrangler…plus usable electric range and stronger efficiency numbers.” The powertrain’s electric components add instant torque to the Wrangler 4xe’s performance attributes. It crawls over rocks with the same aggressive approach angle as gas and diesel-powered Wranglers while providing vastly improved fuel economy.
Tradition Meets Tech in the Wrangler 4xe
Unlike any other SUV, the Wrangler is inextricably linked to adventure. The allure lies not in how the Wrangler can adapt to your lifestyle but in how your lifestyle can evolve in a Wrangler. Add the modern benefits of a hybrid powertrain, and the Wrangler 4xe reimagines classic Jeep freedom with an environmentally-friendly twist. Even diehard Wrangler fans admit it’s an evolution that works.
Holding on to tradition while embracing new technology remains a core goal for the Jeep brand. By electrifying its most iconic model first, Jeep sends a strong message that it’s possible to build a rugged, capable Wrangler and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Add to that Jeep’s commitment to building an infrastructure of solar-powered charging stations, and it’s a full-circle moment for one of America’s iconic brands.
Old and new converge intentionally with the newest Jeep Wrangler. Every bolt, sensor, body panel, and tech gadget finds a home, offering the best blend of convenience and tradition. Grab your longboard and slide behind the wheel of your brand-new 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe; you’ll be right at home next to the muddiest, grimiest old-school CJ at the beach.
