You wouldn’t expect the best-selling plug-in hybrid in America to have a discount in 2023, but here you go. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the best-selling plug-in hybrid in both 2021 and 2022. Now, in mid-2023, it is getting a substantial lease incentive of $12,000 in California. But the rest of the country isn’t left out.

A $7,500 cash incentive comes with a 4xe Sport S, Sport Willys, Sahara, High Altitude, and Rubicon models from Jeep. If you live in a CARB state, there is also a $3,000 CARB State Regional Lease Bonus Cash incentive. So for those states, that amounts to a $10,500 discount. And you thought it might be a $2,500 discount, didn’t you?

Which states do these Jeep Wrangler 4xe discounts apply?

The CARB state reference is those states that adopt California Air Resources Board emissions requirements. CARB-compliant regulations are more stringent than in non-CARB states. Those states use Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Though there are now 17 states in this group, 14 apply stricter CARB regulations. They are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C. Soon, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Nevada will enforce CARB requirements in the near future.

Why is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe better than the rest?

Almost 40% of all Jeep Wrangler sales are the 4xe hybrid SUV for the first quarter of this year. So, what makes it the primary choice of Wrangler buyers? More than anything, it combines power and a cleaner footprint. The hybrid system increases overall mileage from 20 mpg combined for a gas version to 49 mpg for the 4xe.

So from a fuel economy perspective, it’s not even a question. And the power is not compromised, either. With 270 hp, it has plenty. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder also has plenty of grunt, with a whopping 470 lb-ft. While a Wrangler four-banger hybrid sounds like a weak combo, the numbers speak for themselves.

Is a Wrangler hybrid or Hemi the better choice?

If you’re a horsepower freak, the 6.4-liter is your only choice, with 470 hp. But the torque is 470 lb-ft. So there’s definitely more power with the Hemi V8, but the torque is just equal. As for mileage, well, it’s not good at all. City driving has only 13 mpg, while Highway mileage only increases to 17 mpg.

So there are tradeoffs when comparing the Jeep Wrangler 4xe to its high-horsepower siblings. Apparently, Wrangler buyers are opting for the 4xe as it offers power, economy, and a cleaner footprint when trekking across the desert. Or off-roading. Or just trekking to McDonald’s.