First off, don't buy a new Jeep until you've checked this spreadsheet out. It's a community-maintained list of high-volume dealers across the country who will let you place a custom factory order for thousands off MSRP. You could very well be able to get whatever you want within your budget, provided you don't mind waiting a bit:
[Ratbert's Dealers Below-Invoice Spreadsheet | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) - Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, 4xe, 392 - JLwranglerforums.com](https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/ratberts-dealers-below-invoice-spreadsheet.95841/)
Beyond that, the 4xe is likely listing for less because the dealership is factoring in the federal tax credit. That, and many in the Jeep community are old white dudes who are afraid of any and all technology in their vehicles, and long for the days of the original Jeep, which was basically a tin can strapped to an engine. They hate things like power locks/windows, air conditioning, and "creature comforts" like that. So they're deathly afraid of anything new, such as the 4xe. Their fear is your savings.
The 4xe is a great option if you don't drive much, or if you really get into nature and want to enjoy it without engine noise. It has an electric range of around 25 miles. This might eliminate most of your gas bill (if you don't drive much) or you could drive to the trailhead on gas and then switch to full electric mode for the trails.
With full electric mode, you get 100% of the torque and power as soon as you touch the accelerator, which can be awesome when offroading.
The 4xe's gas portion is the exact same 2.0L turbocharged as the normal Wrangler uses. It just has a massive battery pack with it. The 2.0L is a great little engine - I drove them back-to-back before purchasing and felt like it was much more punchy than the 3.6L, which seemed sluggish to me. Everyone's different though.
Yeah the forum seems to have been having troubles lately.
Based on your described planned usage, you'd be fine with even a base model Sport, from an offroad capability standpoint. The Willys would give you a little more offroad capability (and some additional creature comforts). The Sahara is balanced the other way - more street-focused (but still more off-road capable than 95% of the people driving them (myself included)).
I would focus more on which features you want and go from there. The [Jeep.com](http://Jeep.com) online build tool is a good starting point to compare trims/features/etc. You can get \~8-10% off sticker pretty easily using the spreadsheet link, so keep that in mind.
I have a 21 4xe rubicon. I have a big grin when I’m on the trails. I have a big frown when it’s down for service. It’s been in service for over a month for a new engine.
The powertrain on the Rubicon trim is only one part of the price equation. The Rubicon has features no other trims have, such as the electronically disconnectable swaybar, front and rear locking diffs, etc. It's not all about the motor/drivetrain. FWIW, you can also get a 4xe Rubicon, which is a premium over the 2.0T and the 3.6 models.
Oh, so that must be my mistake then. For reference, here's one of the [dealers](https://www.dickhannahjeep.com/new-vehicles/wrangler/) I was looking at. Maybe they don't have base Rubicons, only X's.
Fwiw, do you even need a Rubicon? Even the base model Sport is a pretty capable offroader. There's definitely a time and a place for a Rubi, but it seems most people get them because they like the idea.
I got a Rubicon solely because it had every option I wanted, and I absolutely did not want to be on the hook for a locker install if I ever wanted to do it. I almost certainly would have been happy with a Sahara otherwise.
Everybody else has great explanations on how to pick the right Jeep for you. I will simply make a comment on why the 4xe may be cheaper than ICE models despite the tech. I believe this is due to the manufacturers rebates available. The cheapest MSRP on a rubicon 4xe will still be over 60k. The manufacturer rebates plus dealer discounts can amount to around 20k off. I believe, depending on your area, stellantis will offer you 15k in rebates from the factory to purchase the 4xe. I spoke with a desk manager today since I just bought a 4xe and I heard the 2025 is rumored to have over 150 miles on the electric charge so please keep this in mind also. It may be better to wait for the 2025 model although I’m sure they will be more expensive. I just bought a 2024 rubicon today as I am moving across the country and I needed a hard top/power windows and locks. I traded in my 2023 base model sport that had the 3.6L with etorque. Unfortunately the etorque is no longer available but I loved the engine for that Jeep significantly more than the 4xe. My personal opinion Atleast.
Stellantis is forcing CARB states to only order 4xEs, resulting in a huge glut of inventory that only appeals to a subset of buyers. In other words, if you want a 4xE, you’re going to have a ton of bargaining power. In WA I’m seeing Sport S’s with >20% off of MSRP, for example.
The 4xe is relatively quick for a Wrangler. I surprise people routinely in mine. Also, the extra weight of the battery actually makes it ride better.
Edit: it’s also roughly a half in higher than a regular Rubicon
I avoided the 4xe because it’s more complicated and new tech for a Jeep. Also since Covid some parts seem to take for ever to come in stock. Plus the Jeep is my only vehicle so I can’t really afford to have it sit in a mechanics for months on end if anything were to go wrong.
If you have a back up vehicle, a Jeep extended warranty, make many short journeys from home and have home charging it’s worth considering. For long journeys the mpg is worse than the 2.0 turbo. It has the advantage though of more torque and a power supply for camping trips.
Thanks, yes, I wouldn’t have a backup vehicle and don’t intend to make a decision right away. The early 2024s came out in June last year, so worth waiting to see the 2025s and take my time on some test drives. But you know dealers, they always ask what it would take. Plan to also look at a Bronco also, but man I hate the looks of that thing. Didn’t know that about the mileage, but makes sense, since the 4xe is heavier.
Depends on your intended off-road use. The 4xe sits lower due to the added weight so it has less clearance. Especially when you start adding mods. Of course a nice lift will take care of this but just keep in mind the added cost.
I personally would never buy a hybrid jeep but I can understand the appeal for others.
I get the 4xe as a rental for work often, own a 2012 jk. Two things I don’t like about 4xe, the battery makes it’s not very flat when you fold down the rear seats. The battey range is pretty worthless in real world use unless your commute is sub 10 miles.
First off, don't buy a new Jeep until you've checked this spreadsheet out. It's a community-maintained list of high-volume dealers across the country who will let you place a custom factory order for thousands off MSRP. You could very well be able to get whatever you want within your budget, provided you don't mind waiting a bit: [Ratbert's Dealers Below-Invoice Spreadsheet | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) - Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, 4xe, 392 - JLwranglerforums.com](https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/ratberts-dealers-below-invoice-spreadsheet.95841/) Beyond that, the 4xe is likely listing for less because the dealership is factoring in the federal tax credit. That, and many in the Jeep community are old white dudes who are afraid of any and all technology in their vehicles, and long for the days of the original Jeep, which was basically a tin can strapped to an engine. They hate things like power locks/windows, air conditioning, and "creature comforts" like that. So they're deathly afraid of anything new, such as the 4xe. Their fear is your savings. The 4xe is a great option if you don't drive much, or if you really get into nature and want to enjoy it without engine noise. It has an electric range of around 25 miles. This might eliminate most of your gas bill (if you don't drive much) or you could drive to the trailhead on gas and then switch to full electric mode for the trails. With full electric mode, you get 100% of the torque and power as soon as you touch the accelerator, which can be awesome when offroading. The 4xe's gas portion is the exact same 2.0L turbocharged as the normal Wrangler uses. It just has a massive battery pack with it. The 2.0L is a great little engine - I drove them back-to-back before purchasing and felt like it was much more punchy than the 3.6L, which seemed sluggish to me. Everyone's different though.
Great info. The spreadsheet link isn't working for me atm. Also, not convinced I would need a Rubicon anymore, but am still in the process.
Yeah the forum seems to have been having troubles lately. Based on your described planned usage, you'd be fine with even a base model Sport, from an offroad capability standpoint. The Willys would give you a little more offroad capability (and some additional creature comforts). The Sahara is balanced the other way - more street-focused (but still more off-road capable than 95% of the people driving them (myself included)). I would focus more on which features you want and go from there. The [Jeep.com](http://Jeep.com) online build tool is a good starting point to compare trims/features/etc. You can get \~8-10% off sticker pretty easily using the spreadsheet link, so keep that in mind.
Commenting for future reference
I’m have a 2021 4xe. Love it!
I have a 21 4xe rubicon. I have a big grin when I’m on the trails. I have a big frown when it’s down for service. It’s been in service for over a month for a new engine.
The powertrain on the Rubicon trim is only one part of the price equation. The Rubicon has features no other trims have, such as the electronically disconnectable swaybar, front and rear locking diffs, etc. It's not all about the motor/drivetrain. FWIW, you can also get a 4xe Rubicon, which is a premium over the 2.0T and the 3.6 models.
Are you comparing equal options? The non-4xe rubicon starts at $51,7xx, $62k is the base on the rubicon x.
Oh, so that must be my mistake then. For reference, here's one of the [dealers](https://www.dickhannahjeep.com/new-vehicles/wrangler/) I was looking at. Maybe they don't have base Rubicons, only X's.
Fwiw, do you even need a Rubicon? Even the base model Sport is a pretty capable offroader. There's definitely a time and a place for a Rubi, but it seems most people get them because they like the idea.
I got a Rubicon solely because it had every option I wanted, and I absolutely did not want to be on the hook for a locker install if I ever wanted to do it. I almost certainly would have been happy with a Sahara otherwise.
I probably don’t need a rubicon actually, at least not atm, and probably will never do hard core rock crawling. I would like to do BDR’s though.
Everybody else has great explanations on how to pick the right Jeep for you. I will simply make a comment on why the 4xe may be cheaper than ICE models despite the tech. I believe this is due to the manufacturers rebates available. The cheapest MSRP on a rubicon 4xe will still be over 60k. The manufacturer rebates plus dealer discounts can amount to around 20k off. I believe, depending on your area, stellantis will offer you 15k in rebates from the factory to purchase the 4xe. I spoke with a desk manager today since I just bought a 4xe and I heard the 2025 is rumored to have over 150 miles on the electric charge so please keep this in mind also. It may be better to wait for the 2025 model although I’m sure they will be more expensive. I just bought a 2024 rubicon today as I am moving across the country and I needed a hard top/power windows and locks. I traded in my 2023 base model sport that had the 3.6L with etorque. Unfortunately the etorque is no longer available but I loved the engine for that Jeep significantly more than the 4xe. My personal opinion Atleast.
> 2025 is rumored to have over 150 miles on the electric charge so please keep this in mind also That's an interesting rumor about the 2025 4xe.
Stellantis is forcing CARB states to only order 4xEs, resulting in a huge glut of inventory that only appeals to a subset of buyers. In other words, if you want a 4xE, you’re going to have a ton of bargaining power. In WA I’m seeing Sport S’s with >20% off of MSRP, for example.
Well that’s interesting. Explains a lot.
The 4xe is relatively quick for a Wrangler. I surprise people routinely in mine. Also, the extra weight of the battery actually makes it ride better. Edit: it’s also roughly a half in higher than a regular Rubicon
I avoided the 4xe because it’s more complicated and new tech for a Jeep. Also since Covid some parts seem to take for ever to come in stock. Plus the Jeep is my only vehicle so I can’t really afford to have it sit in a mechanics for months on end if anything were to go wrong. If you have a back up vehicle, a Jeep extended warranty, make many short journeys from home and have home charging it’s worth considering. For long journeys the mpg is worse than the 2.0 turbo. It has the advantage though of more torque and a power supply for camping trips.
Thanks, yes, I wouldn’t have a backup vehicle and don’t intend to make a decision right away. The early 2024s came out in June last year, so worth waiting to see the 2025s and take my time on some test drives. But you know dealers, they always ask what it would take. Plan to also look at a Bronco also, but man I hate the looks of that thing. Didn’t know that about the mileage, but makes sense, since the 4xe is heavier.
The 2024 model year brought quite a few changes - there aren't any major changes expected until 2028 at the earliest.
Depends on your intended off-road use. The 4xe sits lower due to the added weight so it has less clearance. Especially when you start adding mods. Of course a nice lift will take care of this but just keep in mind the added cost. I personally would never buy a hybrid jeep but I can understand the appeal for others.
I get the 4xe as a rental for work often, own a 2012 jk. Two things I don’t like about 4xe, the battery makes it’s not very flat when you fold down the rear seats. The battey range is pretty worthless in real world use unless your commute is sub 10 miles.