Of the nine Jeep model lines, the most iconic is clearly the Wrangler. While the Wrangler name dates back to 1986, the model itself traces back to its birth as a rugged, go-anywhere general-purpose vehicle for World War II. The Wrangler is such an essential model to Jeep that there are eleven grades within the model line, combining 2- and 4-door models. Five of those eleven grades are 4xe models, which is Jeep-speak for plug-in hybrid. Nowhere else in the industry will you find five grades of a plug-in hybrid model within a model line. Sitting on top of the Wrangler 4xe lineup is the Rubicon X. Motor Trend took a Rubicon to a unique off-road event to see where this flagship plug-in hybrid off-roader fits in the scheme of things.
The Rebelle Rally
The venue for the Rubicon X 4xe test drive was the Rebelle Rally. That is no typo, as the cleverly named Rebelle Rally is a women-only off-road competition. The event starts in Mammoth Mountain, California, and heads south through Ridgecrest and Johnson Valley, finally finishing in the Glamis Sand Dunes. This year was the largest turnout yet, with 65 teams. Along with the expected Wranglers and Broncos were crossovers such as Tellurides and Pilots. Being a rally, there are a series of competitive sections with normal driving to get from one to the next. The key issue is that there is no use of GPS or navigation systems. All navigation is performed with paper maps, compasses, and road books. Avoiding getting lost is a more significant challenge than avoiding getting stuck.
Motor Trend editor Monica Gonderman and navigator Emily Benzie were not official competitors in their borrowed Rubicon X. They still chose to forgo the electronics to get the full experience.
The Most Comfortable Wrangler
Gonderman is quick to state that the Rubicon X was up to the task. The “more premium take on the Rubicon,” in the words of the Jeep Brand, the Rubicon X 4xe is a Rubicon with all the creature comforts in the Wrangler parts bin. This includes 12-way power-adjustable, heated Nappa leather front seats with power 4-way lumbar adjustment, dual-zone climate control, Alpine® Premium Audio System, and the navigation system they weren’t allowed to use.
Only Soft Inside
The Wrangler 4xe powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with an electric motor integrated into its 8-speed automatic transmission that is fed by a 17.3-kWh battery pack. Total system power is 375 horsepower and a whopping 470 lb-ft of torque. That last figure equals the torque produced by the mighty Rubicon 392’s 6.4-liter V8. The 4xe can carry out daily duties with 21 EV-only miles, and its EPA-estimated MPG-e future is 49.
In contrast to its efficiency credentials, the Rubicon rides on a nearly 33-inch 285/70R17 BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires, providing plenty of sidewall for its 17-inch machine-finished wheels. Steel bumpers are front and rear, with the front accommodating an optional winch the feature vehicle had but did not have to use.
It Works Beautifully
Gonderman reported that the Rubicon X 4xe was clearly up to the task. “Deep down, driving the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe felt like cheating. The Wrangler did the hard work while we remained comfortably ensconced in its leather seats. It never made us get our Merrell Moab 3 Mid x Jeep boots dirty. It made easy work of the desert, turning potential challenges into easy-peasy stress-free situations.”
Again, there are five grades to the Wrangler 4xe. So, while the flagship Rubicon X 4xe starts at about $71K, the starting MSRP for the model line is $50,695. This range, plus the 4xe’s capability, has likely made it the best-selling plug-in hybrid in the US. If you are drawn to the unpaved two tracks, come to Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and see the Wrangler 4xe for yourself.
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