For drivers interested in electric vehicles but aren’t yet fully committed to entirely ditching gas-powered cars, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can be a perfect choice. PHEVs are powered by a combustion engine and an electric battery pack, and they often can drive small distances using only the electric battery. Jeep currently has two PHEVs on the market, electrified variants of two of its most popular vehicles. These are the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Both PHEVs have positives, but the Wrangler 4xe has the following four advantages.  

1. A lower price tag with the 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Jeeps are not known for being on the lower end of the price spectrum, and both Jeep PHEVs come with fairly expensive price tags. However, the Wrangler 4xe is the more affordable vehicle of the two. According to Edmunds, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe starts at $54,595. Meanwhile, Edmunds lists the starting price of the Grand Cherokee 4xe at $58,465.

With higher trim levels, the prices of these two PHEVs increase, but the Grand Cherokee 4xe gets very expensive compared to the Wrangler 4xe. Jeep states that the top trim, the Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe, has an MSRP of $77,470. Meanwhile, Jeep lists the price of the top-level Wrangler High Altitude 4xe at $60,170.

It is worth noting that these two Jeeps serve different purposes, which can help explain the price difference. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe is meant to be more of a luxury SUV, and its price is comparable to other luxury SUVs. All trims of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe are designed with off-road driving in mind, and their MSRPs are more similar to other off-road vehicles.

2. The Wrangler 4xe has more payload capacity

In terms of towing and hauling, both Jeep plug-in hybrids are designed to carry reasonable weights, with identical maximum towing capacities of 3,500 pounds. Jeep emphasizes the capabilities of each model with striking blue tow hooks that can be found on both the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe. These are functionally the same as standard tow hooks, but the striking color highlights how these PHEVs have electric power and the ability to tow.

However, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe does have a slightly higher maximum payload capacity. It can carry 1,280 pounds compared to the Grand Cherokee 4xe, which can carry 1,206 pounds. This is only a marginal difference, but if a driver is planning on hauling as much as possible, the Wrangler 4xe may be the way to go.

3. The 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe has more ground clearance than the Grand Cherokee 4xe

As previously stated, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, like other models in the long-running Wrangler line, is designed to tackle difficult off-road terrains, and to help with this, it has more ground clearance. The Wrangler 4xe has 10.4 inches of ground clearance, and the Grand Cherokee 4xe has 8.4 inches. 

Other features of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe also highlight the vehicle’s off-road emphasis. Stellantis states that Wrangler 4xe buyers can select from several different tops and doors to make the Wrangler PHEV best fit their off-road needs.

Still, it is worth noting that some Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models are more intended for off-road driving than others. Stellantis claims that the Trailhawk Grand Cherokee 4xe has 10.9 inches of ground clearance, more than the standard Wrangler 4xe.

Both Jeep PHEVs have value

While this list has highlighted reasons why the Jeep Wrangler 4xe is better than the Grand Cherokee 4xe, arguments should be made in favor of the Grand Cherokee 4xe. For example, it has a superior estimated all-electric range of 25 miles compared to the Wrangler 4xe’s estimated all-electric range of 21 miles. The choice between these two Jeep PHEVs will depend on what a particular driver is looking for.