Sunday Drive: Jeep’s trailblazing hybrid — 2025 Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe
-
- The new 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe with available factory-installed 8,000-pound capacity Warn winch.
-
- The new 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe with 12-way power adjustable front seats and all-new instrument panel featuring Uconnect 5 system with best-in-class 12.3-inch touch screen radio.
-
- The new 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe.
-
- The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe with available factory-installed 8,000-pound capacity Warn winch.
-
- The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe.
-
- The new 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe with available factory-installed 8,000-pound capacity Warn winch.
-
- Inside the new 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe.
In the ever-evolving landscape of off-road capability and getting electrified, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe certainly delivers a rare combination: legendary 4×4 prowess with the ability to go electric — at least for most of the day. With Deanne already enjoying the benefits of her 2024 Wrangler 4xe as a daily driver, we were excited to take the newest iteration of this hybrid icon for a spin around the valley and see what had improved.
Our test model arrived as a clean, bright, white Rubicon X 4xe with blue tow hooks with a trim that distinguished Jeep’s plug-in electric hybrid — and we immediately got to work putting it through its paces. From daily commutes to grocery runs and a weekend hike in Hobble Creek Canyon, the Wrangler, for us, quickly felt like a member of the family.
A familiar daily friend
Deanne’s been driving the 2024 Wrangler 4xe for nearly a year and a half now, so we had a built-in point of comparison. The 2025 model builds on the strengths of the older version, with a few thoughtful tweaks. The Rubicon X trim proved to have a more premium feel inside while retaining all the ruggedness we have come to expect from a Wrangler.
Leather-trimmed seats with Rubicon blue stitching, a 12.3-inch touch screen and a quieter cabin (if that is really a thing with a Wrangler) thanks to new sound-deadening materials made the X trim more enjoyable during our workweek drives.
Craig’s daily roundtrip to the office in Provo and Deanne’s errands around Springville and Mapleton were well within the Wrangler 4xe’s all-electric range, which clocks in at about 22 miles per charge.
Plugging in overnight using our Level 2 charger meant we started each day with a full battery. We were surprised at how infrequently we needed to tap into the gas engine during the week — unless we took an unexpected detour or made a longer trip.
Using the “Electric” drive mode made it feel like we were gliding through town, completely silent at stop lights and surprisingly zippy off the line. For those unfamiliar, the 4xe system pairs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. That’s the same amount of torque as in a V-8 Wrangler — impressive for a hybrid. The instant torque from the electric motors made merging onto the freeway or zipping up a street feel effortless.
Built for adventure (still)
We didn’t get far into the week before needing to stretch the Wrangler’s legs. Saturday morning brought clear skies, and the grandkids — Jensen and Hayden — were ready for an adventure. With the retractable soft-top and doors off, we headed into the hills for some off-road time in the Jeep.
One of the new features in the Rubicon X trim is the full-time Rock-Trac 4×4 system with Tru-Lok front and rear axles and a full-float Dana rear axle. For those of us who don’t speak fluent Jeep, it means you can tackle pretty much any trail in Utah and still be home for dinner.
While the ride we took was far from Moab-level intense, the mix of dirt roads, rocky patches and steep grades gave us just enough terrain to use the 4×4 system without pushing it too hard. The Selec-Speed Control system — a kind of cruise control for crawling — made descending back into the valley smooth and drama-free.
The 6-year-old Hayden declared it the “coolest car ever” as she spotted the sky above through the open roof. We did like this feature on the Jeep.
Weekday warrior, weekend legend
Despite its off-road DNA, the Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe was very well mannered around town. Jeep has refined the ride quality in the new model, especially with the adaptive shock system that keeps bumps in check, whether you’re on asphalt or sandstone.
The interior remained utilitarian at heart, but the upgrades in this trim — heated steering wheel, 12-way power seats and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system — made it downright luxurious when compared to our Wrangler.
And the tech? We’ve come a long way from the spartan dashboards of Jeeps past. The new 12.3-inch touch screen ran Uconnect 5, which was responsive, customizable and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We had no trouble syncing our phones, finding trail maps or queuing up Jensen’s favorite soundtrack for our Saturday drive.
There’s even a hybrid-specific info screen that lets you monitor battery levels, charging status and see when you’re using electric versus gas power. It became a bit of a game to see how long we could go without using fuel.
Charging up in Utah Valley
Range anxiety? Not here. With the Wrangler 4xe, you simply plug it in at night and forget about it. For longer trips or when the battery runs low, the gas engine kicks in seamlessly. We averaged about 35 MPGe (miles per gallon gasoline equivalent) across the week by staying mostly electric. If you skip charging, you’ll get about 20 mpg from the gas engine alone — not bad considering the weight, ground clearance and big off-road tires.
As a side note, Deanne has averaged 39.8 MPGe over the past 17 months in her Jeep Wrangler 4xe
Around Utah Valley, we appreciated how the Wrangler fit into every setting. Driving to a meeting? You’ll look official. Hauling soccer gear for the grandkids? No problem. Heading up the into the mountains to catch the sunset? This was the perfect rig.
A Wrangler with a conscience
It’s hard to overstate the value of combining Jeep’s go-anywhere attitude with modern hybrid efficiency. Not only did it help reduce emissions and fuel use, it opened the door for more sustainable adventure. Jeep has even made the battery waterproof, so the 4xe can ford 30 inches of water. It’s a reminder that hybrid doesn’t have to mean boring — and Jeep intended to prove that every step of the way.
We’ve heard folks worry that the addition of batteries and electric motors means more complexity, and while that’s true, Jeep backs the 4xe powertrain with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. In Deanne’s case, she’s had no maintenance issues with her 2024 model to date — and she’s made full use of its capabilities.
At the end of the week
After a week in the 2025 Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe, we can confidently say it’s still every bit the Jeep it’s always been — just smarter, cleaner and more versatile. The hybrid powertrain is perfect for daily life and equally ready for a red rock weekend. It brings the best of both worlds: the fuel-saving practicality of electric drive and the pure fun of a Jeep with the doors off.
Base price: $61,395
Destination charge: $1,895
Price as driven: $78,885
