The Grand Cherokee 4xe and Wrangler 4xe were the first Jeep models to usher in the brand’s electrified future, but the plug-in hybrids now are going back in time with a pair of retro-inspired variants debuting at the 2022 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2023 Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary will be available for a limited time with unique exterior appointments and more standard safety features, while the 2023 Wrangler Willys 4xe becomes the new base model for the off-road-oriented hybrid, bringing a lower price of admission.
Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary
To commemorate the Grand Cherokee’s three decades of history, the Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary comes with blackened exterior accents and a unique front end. It also gets blue tow hooks, new 20-inch black wheels, 30th Anniversary badging and a body-colored rear, lower moldings and wheel flares. Inside, the special edition gets black leather seats, ventilated front seats, and additional tech and safety features including front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, a digital rearview mirror and a 360-degree camera system. A standard 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, built-in navigation and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system are also included.
The SUV’s hybrid powertrain carries over from the 2022 model and combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, two electric motors and a 400-volt, 17-kilowatt-hour battery pack for a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pounds-feet of torque. It gets an EPA-rated 56 mpg-equivalent and 25 miles of all-electric range, and it can tow up to 6,000 pounds.
Wrangler Willys 4xe
While the Grand Cherokee 4xe marks the model’s big 3-0, the 2023 Wrangler Willys 4xe throws it back further to its namesake’s roots in the 1940s. The Willys 4xe falls below the Sahara 4xe as the most affordable plug-in Wrangler; it can be identified with a Willys decal on the hood and “Electric 4-Wheel Drive” decal on the swing gate. Other standard features include LED headlights and foglights, an Alpine nine-speaker audio system, all-weather floormats, a rear limited-slip differential, rock rails, a black grille and 17-inch black-painted alloy wheels.
The current Wrangler 4xe’s base Sahara trim comes standard with the latest Uconnect 4C multimedia system featuring built-in navigation and an 8.4-inch touchscreen; these features will be optional on the new Willys 4xe. The base model will likely share the gas-powered Wrangler Willys’ 7-inch touchscreen and Uconnect 4 with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Willys 4xe gets the standard hybrid setup, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine, two electric motors and a 400-volt battery pack for a system total of 375 hp and 470 pounds feet of torque. It gets an EPA-rated 49 mpg-e and 21 miles of all-electric range. The Wrangler 4xe offers three modes as part of its standard E Selec system: Hybrid, Electric and eSave. The latter saves battery charge for later use or employs the gas engine to recharge the battery.
Pricing and Release Date
2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe | Manufacturer image
The 2023 Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary will add $4,700 to the 2023 Grand Cherokee 4xe’s price tag, which has not yet been announced. According to Jeep, orders will open later in 2022, and the model will arrive by early 2023. Currently, the 2022 Grand Cherokee 4xe’s base model starts at $57,660 (all prices include destination).
Jeep is now taking orders for the 2023 Wrangler Willys 4xe, which is expected to arrive late in 2022 with a starting price of $55,590. Previously, the Sahara 4xe was the most affordable variant with a $56,360 starting price, followed by the Rubicon at $60,190 and the range-topping High Altitude at $62,135.
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Keyword: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, Wrangler 4xe Plug Into Past With Special Editions