Off-road enthusiasts will soon have a new greener energy alternative for their next trip thanks to the Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle’s Willys model (PHEV). The 2023 Wrangler Willys 4xe will have a combination of retro-inspired design elements and current amenities, including everything from LED lighting to the automaker’s hybrid propulsion system, claims Jeep. The next model will deliver the equivalent of 49 mpg, the company claims.
The Willys 4xe will wear a generously sized Willys decal on the hood, among other things that will impress Jeep fans, so that everyone nearby will know it’s the vintage-inspired model. The Jeep also sports a sizable decal on the back that identifies it as a PHEV. In addition to the make and Trail Rated badges, “authentic retro cues,” as described by Jeep, are joined by these visual declarations. The Willys 4xe has no shortage of flair, but that is only the beginning of its charm.
The model comes with some of the features that go along with an electric car, such as the ability to switch to a fully-electric mode for operating the Wrangler entirely on battery power — as a PHEV, it however, doesn’t get much range. On the financial front, Jeep points out that customers in the U.S. can benefit from a $7,500 tax credit to lessen the model’s hefty starting price of $53,995, which does not include the additional $1,595 destination cost. The model also possesses the torque power that EVs are known for.
An off-road beast with an EV heart and retro style
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, two electric motors, TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, and 17 kWh, 400-volt battery pack with 96 cells are all standard on the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe. The Willys model, like other PHEVs, may be driven solely on electric power or in hybrid mode by default, which uses both the ICE and electric motors depending on the charge available at any given time. Additionally, according to Jeep, there is an eSave mode that will prioritize the ICE so that the EV mode can be used later, if necessary.
Jeep is quick to emphasize that drivers who want to climb any large rocks will find the instant torque provided by the electric motors to be quite helpful. According to the automaker, the Willys 4xe has the machinery required to handle other challenging circumstances, like ice and sand, and the EV mode gives an almost silent experience. LED fog lamps, tow hooks, black-painted 17-inch alloy wheels, all-weather floor mats, and rock rails combine these components.
Regarding the vehicle’s interior, purchasers can anticipate an Alpine audio system with nine speakers, as well as an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 4C Nav and a Sky One-Touch Power-Top if they choose the Sun and Screen Package. The Willys 4xe has a total of 21 miles of total electric range, 375 horsepower, 470 lb-ft of torque, 10.1 inches of ground clearance, and a 2.71:1 Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. Customers should anticipate the Willys variation to start showing up at dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year, according to Jeep.