How Good is the Wrangler 4xe Rubicon Off-road?
How Good is the Wrangler 4xe Rubicon Off-road?
The Wrangler 4xe Rubicon is a Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV). Nothing remarkable there as PHEVs are becoming pretty common now. But put the Rubicon name on it and it’s not just any PHEV, it’s a vehicle that Jeep has certified as being capable of some of the most demanding off-roading traversing in the world -that’s what the Rubicon name indicates. But wait, a PHEV that is capable of Jeep Rubicon-level off-roading? This doesn’t seem possible.
Well, first of all, it is quite possible and Jeep has done it. To understand how, you have to consider that the 4xe Rubicon isn’t just an electric motor and some batteries mounted in an older Wrangler. It’s a total, complete redesign of the Wrangler drivetrain. Remember, there is nothing less than 80 years of off-roading tradition at stake here so you can be sure that the folks at Jeep have built a very capable vehicle and have tested it thoroughly.
Does the 4xe have the torque of the gas or diesel models?
It actually has more. The engineers at Jeep insist that the electrification makes a 4×4 better than their fuel-powered brethren. For example, the Jeep 4xe Rubicon actually offers up 470 lb-ft of torque. Contrast that with the diesel 3.0-liter V-6 version rated at “just” 442 lb-ft of torque.
Here’s how this works. The 4xe Rubicon essentially has three drive motors in it. Motor number one is the gasoline-powered inline-four is mounted up front of the Jeep under the hood. The second motor is a 44 horsepower motor that is bolted directly to the inline-four. The third motor is a heavy-duty 134 horsepower unit that is mounted within the transmission housing.
So, why is the 4xe Rubicon so powerful? Because all three motors can be powered up simultaneously and that yields a whopping 470 lb-ft of torque.
Can the Wrangler 4xe Rubicon run on just battery power?
Yes, it can. The Wrangler 4xe Rubicon offers three drive modes. In Electric mode, the Wrangler 4xe runs on battery power only. Hybrid mode is the default, and it blends power from the gas and electric drivetrains. Finally, eSave mode prioritizes the gas engine, so very little current is drawn from the battery pack.
Can the 4xe ford deep water? I do it a lot when off-roading!
We all know that electricity and water don’t mix so the engineers at Jeep have paid special attention to making the battery packs and all electric components waterproof. First, the 400-volt, 17 kWh battery packs aren’t slung low in the chassis like most gastanks are. They are mounted high under the second row seats and are encased in an completely water-proof aluminum housing with a dedicated heating and cooling circuit. The result: 4xe is capable of fording water that is 30” deep.
Want to check out a Wrangler 4xe Rubicon? Northland CDJR of Oak Park is the place to go!
For further information about the availability of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Northland CDJR would be glad to assist you.
You, of course, are welcome to check out our Jeep Inventory online and you can contact us via our contact page.