MAMA stands for the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and they are well aware of how the acronym reads. They even purposely describe their award winners as “favorites,” as in “Mama’s favorites.” This fall, they named seven “favorites,” each in a different category. Benna Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram is pleased to tell you that the innovative Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe is MAMA’s Favorite Off-Road Vehicle. All seven categories will be finalists for the MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle title for 2024.
About MAMA
The Midwest Automotive Media Association was formed 33 years ago and now comprises 273 automotive journalists and public relations professionals from across the US and Canada. As part of their job, the automotive journalists individually test drive vehicles for their respective media organizations. Once in the spring and twice in the fall, they gather to view vehicles together and compare notes. They convene at the MAMA’s Favorites Fall Fest to vote on the category winners.
New Awards
Previously, MAMA only issued awards for Family Vehicle of the Year and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year. Those awards are now two out of seven award categories. The change reflects the great diversity of vehicles that cannot be contained to the definition of family or luxury vehicles. This includes performance vehicles, off-road vehicles, pickup trucks, and EVs. Candidate vehicles must be new, redesigned, or significantly changed. The seven category winners were selected from over 100 possible candidate vehicles.
“With more than 100 new, redesigned, or refreshed vehicles MAMA members could drive during 2023, it was time to assess the breadth and depth of product at each event and for the year as a whole,” said Robert Duffer, MAMA President. “You could say MAMA loves all of her vehicles equally, but everyone knows there’s only one MAMA’s Favorite.”
Wrangler 4xe: Electrifying the Trail
While the MAMA jurors did not explain why they selected the Wrangler 4xe or the other category winners, we can make a strong guess.
“4xe” is Jeep for plug-in hybrid. Thus, the Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe combines its 2.0-liter inline-4 with a 17.3 kWh battery and electric motor for a total system power of 375 horsepower, controlled by an 8-speed automatic transmission. MPGe is rated at 49, and you have 22 miles of EV battery use after a full charge, which you can do overnight from a regular household socket. Jeep is installing solar-powered charge stations at the trail heads of key off-roading trails in the US so you can fully charge your 4xe before silently forging the trail. When the EV miles expire, you simply drive the 4xe as a standard gas-powered engine; no recharging is necessary.
The Wrangler 4xe model line includes five grades, of which the Rubicon X is at the top, with features like front and rear locking differentials and an electronic sway bar disconnect system. Inside, you will find Nappa leather seats, an Alpine Audio system, and a native navigation system. On February 8th at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show, during a MAMA-hosted breakfast, MAMA will announce which of the seven finalists will be awarded MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle for 2024. Since these finalists are, by definition, models representing very different categories, they will be judged by what they offer to their respective categories, not against each other. But if you enjoy off-roading, you already have your MAMA’s favorite, which you can explore and test drive at Benna Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram.
Connect with us
