First review: why you hear the birds chirping in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited 4xee

What is striking about the Jeep Wrangler 4xe?

Ever seen a Jeep Wrangler at a charging station? Get used to it. The most famous Jeep has become a plug-in hybrid! A 2.0-litre petrol engine and two electric motors together provide 380 hp and 637 Nm and an electric range of 50 kilometers. And the consumption? 1 in 24.4, Jeep says.

A lot remained the same: you still get standard four-wheel drive, low gearing, a transfer case and a limited slip differential. But don't be surprised if you see this upper Jeep drive by from now on without hearing engine noises.

What's good about the Jeep Wrangler 4xe?

Even people who react to an electric Wrangler like Cristiano Ronaldo to a can of Coke will be amazed at how smooth off-roading is. You can dose the right pedal better than with a petrol engine and the torque is immediately available. The engine does not have to run at high speeds to safely guide the car over unpaved paths, which is normally the case in low gearing.

In peace you make your way through deep mud tracks, riverbeds and steep slopes. Remove the steel roof panels (nothing electrical, with the tough Wrangler you still do that by hand) and hear the birds chirping while the Wrangler makes impossible jumps. Then you notice that an electric car might be the ideal off-road vehicle. Although, if you still want to sniff petrol, you can still only use the petrol engine. Then select the eSave driving program.

What could be better about the Jeep Wrangler 4xe?

It is of course a bit silly to whine about comfort on the highway, because that's not what you buy the Wrangler Rubicon for. But the chassis and large off-road tires are not optimal for a long highway ride. Furthermore, the dashboard looks a bit dated, especially if you compare it with its eternal competitor, the ultramodern Land Rover Defender.

When will the Jeep Wrangler 4xe come to the Netherlands and what is the price?

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe will be in the showroom this summer. Advantage: it has become much cheaper due to its lower CO2 emissions. The 272 hp Wrangler 2.0T without an electric motor cost 104,678 euros, but it disappears from the scene. The price of the Wrangler plug-in hybrid 80,690 euros – more power, pay less. You keep 23,988 euros in your pocket.

At this price, it is cheaper than the Land Rover Defender plug-in hybrid (404 hp), which costs 84,145 euros. Although in our opinion you should actually take the Rubicon, the Wrangler with the great terrain skills. It costs 84,690 euros. In the Netherlands, the Wrangler is only for sale as a five-door Unlimited.

What do I think of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe?

You don't judge a car like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe on its speed, not on its comfort, not even on its more favorable consumption. Only when you leave the asphalt do the car and driver really enjoy themselves. Off-road driving without engine noise makes the experience even more intense, now you can hear even the smallest drop of mud splashing against the paint and every stone tapping against the robust underside. Exactly what you want, actually.