Ready or not, the electrified future of the auto industry is on its way—each year is making this clearer, though there are still plenty of infrastructure issues that need to be figured out to make electric vehicle (EV) ownership everything it should be. As that happens, however, car companies are blazing a trail with new hybrid and electric models designed to not only expand their lineups but also introduce more drivers to what these impressive vehicles can do. Jeep is one of the more recent converts when it comes to bringing electrification into its selection of vehicles, but it’s also one of the most aggressive ones as its lineup is changing rapidly.
At the moment, you’ll find a couple of plug-in hybrid options at your favorite Jeep dealer, but in the next year or so, that’s going to change. The brand has announced two new EVs for this year (or early next year), with at least one new plug-in hybrid coming next year as well. Beyond that, there’s also some evidence that further electrification will become the norm, and every model Jeep makes a few years from now will be either a full EV or a hybrid of some kind. Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on, the models we have now, and what will be coming soon, and speculate a bit on what you can expect to find in the years ahead.
Where Jeep Stands Now: Current Hybrid Models
Before we get into what the future likely holds for the Jeep lineup, let’s take a moment to look at what you’ll find right now from Jeep. For the most part, conventional gas-powered engines still reign supreme, and that’s what you’ll find in most Jeep vehicles on the road. Jeep is switching things up a bit in its lineup at the moment, which you can see with the Cherokee and Renegade both ending up on the chopping block. It has also started using the new Hurricane engine developed to replace the older HEMI V8 gas engines and keep its vehicles highly capable.
In terms of electrification, Jeep’s been a bit slow compared to some of the other major brands out there—you can’t deny that Chevy is all-in compared to what we’ve seen from Jeep so far. I can’t really blame Jeep on this, however, as the topic of EVs and going all-electric is still controversial, and the last thing the brand wants to do is push away customers. Jeep’s approach has been to slowly introduce some new options that don’t feel too jarring and showcase how electric engineering can improve your ride. The result is that, so far, the brand has focused on delivering hybrid performance with a couple of 4xe plug-in hybrid models.
The first was the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which was actually a pretty brave approach since Wrangler is the quintessential Jeep model and the perfect way to show that Jeep is serious about this. It has since brought a Grand Cherokee 4xe into the mix as well, creating two impressive hybrid options designed to meet a wide range of needs. This is essentially the car company version of carefully dipping your toes into the water to check its temperature rather than just jumping in, but considering Jeep’s history (and what Chrysler has been through over the last few decades), I don’t blame them for taking a cautious approach. So far, the results have been excellent, and—to continue the metaphor—it seems Jeep is ready to slide into the pool at this point.
The Not-Too-Distant Future of the Jeep Lineup
Right now, we know about three big models coming up this year and next year, which will very nicely shake things up for the Jeep lineup in terms of electrification. The biggest one comes alongside Wagoneer officially becoming a part of the Jeep brand (it was launched as its own thing, but that was just confusing since everyone still seemed to call it the Jeep Wagoneer). That’s because we’re getting a new, first-ever Wagoneer S model with all-electric power and performance. It’s not a hybrid but a full EV.
There’s not a ton of info released about the Wagoneer S just yet, which is a bit surprising since it is expected to be available later this year. What Jeep has revealed, however, is impressive. The electric powertrain in the Wagoneer S is set to deliver a blistering 600 hp, which should make driving this beast an absolute joy. Jeep has said the range from a full charge is currently estimated to be over 300 miles, though that’s as specific as it has been. Inside, the Wagoneer S lives up to the high standard of luxury that the new Wagoneer models have set, with more than 45 inches of total screen space across the interior, including a standard Front Passenger Display, plus a segment-exclusive McIntosh Entertainment System for an incredible audio experience.
The Wagoneer S is the model we know the most about at the moment, but it’s not the only EV that Jeep has cooking right now. It has also created an all-new model called the Jeep Recon, which is similar in appearance and features to the iconic Wrangler, but it’s not a Wrangler EV. I think this goes back to Jeep’s very cautious and careful approach to electrification—it is not ready to unleash a Wrangler EV just yet, so it is testing the waters (again) with a different model. Very little has been officially announced about the Recon EV. Still, we know it’s engineered for impressive off-road performance, worthy of the Jeep Trail Rated badge, with removable doors, big all-terrain tires, and a rather boxy design that gives it a rugged appearance. Word is that the Recon EV is set to hit the market late this year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if early 2025 is a more realistic target for seeing these outside a few select locations.
Speaking of 2025, word is that Jeep is going to expand its selection of plug-in hybrid 4xe models with another offering: the Gladiator 4xe. As you likely know, the Jeep Gladiator is a midsize truck with a design inspired by the Wrangler, creating an impressive off-road pickup that’s perfect for hitting the trail and getting through the work week. The Gladiator 4xe will be a plug-in hybrid just like the other two 4xe models, giving it a limited all-electric range along with excellent performance and great overall fuel economy. More info on this model should come later this year.
What to Expect From Jeep Going Forward
Now for some wild speculation—but this isn’t entirely unfounded, as it’s based on documents from an agreement negotiated between Stellantis and the United Auto Workers union that were apparently leaked online. Still, since it’s all unconfirmed, this should be taken with a few grains of salt. If the leaked documents are accurate, then Jeep is working on a slew of new electrified vehicles that we should expect in the years ahead. Chief among them is an all-electric Wrangler EV, likely launching as part of a new generation in 2028. These documents also indicate that the hybrid version of the Wrangler could shift to being mostly electric, with a gas engine that essentially acts as a generator for the battery. Electric versions of the Grand Cherokee and the Renegade are also reported to be on the way, launching in 2027 or 2028.
Are You Ready for an Electrified Jeep Lineup?
As you can see, there’s a lot in the works for the Jeep brand coming over the next few years. It’ll be interesting to see how all of this shakes out; personally, I’m a fan of EVs and the way the auto industry is changing, but it all depends on many other factors beyond what goes on in Jeep boardrooms and at the computers of engineers. EVs are the way forward and the inevitable future; it’s just a matter of how long it takes to shift in that direction fully and for EVs to be practical and functional for every driver out there. Jeep is taking some big steps in that direction, and while the brand is certainly being careful in how it does things, it has clearly begun to embrace electrified performance that we’ll all get to enjoy.
