Auto manufacturers analyze quarterly sales figures to gauge how consumers feel about their vehicles and the success of their product line. The second quarter numbers, which reflect sales from April to June, just came in, and automakers such as Jeep are assessing how each particular model has performed so far this year.

Jeep experienced unprecedented sales with one of its newer vehicles, but it was not enough to save Jeep Wrangler sales for Q2 2023.

Quarterly sales for the Jeep Wrangler are down

Stellantis, the owner of Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler brands reported a 6% increase in total second-quarter 2023 U.S. sales across all product lines compared to the same period last year. The Detroit News reported this is the first time in two years the automaker has experienced an increase in U.S. quarterly sales.

Jeep sales dropped by 3% year-over-year, with the Gladiator midsize pickup having the worst numbers, decreasing by 34% for 2023 Q2 compared to last year. The automaker sold 46,671 Jeep Wrangler vehicles in the second quarter of 2023 compared to 53,945 units sold during the same period last year, reflecting a 13% decline in Q2 2023 sales.

Sales for the plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler have never been better

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid fared much better, experiencing its best-ever quarter to date. Stellantis reported total Q2 sales were up 56% over the same quarter last year, saying it “retains its ranking as the best-selling plug-in hybrid in the U.S.”

Introduced in the 2021 model year, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe utilizes two electric motors paired with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine to generate 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque combined. The estimated EPA driving range is 20 mpg.

Demand for the gas-powered Jeep Wrangler is lagging

With the increasing popularity of the hybrid variant of the Jeep Wrangler, demand for the gas-powered version of the iconic vehicle is decreasing. Stellantis reported, “The Jeep Wrangler 4xe accounted for 36% (16,949 units) of total Wrangler sales in the second quarter.”

As automakers move toward building vehicles with zero carbon emissions, Stellantis is promoting the sale of the hybrid Wrangler 4xe. In a surprising move, the automaker announced it will not be sending new model years of the Jeep Wrangler vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) to the 14 states that adopted California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations.

According to Pickup Truck & SUV Talk, customers in these states will only be able to purchase the Wrangler 4xe hybrid variant from dealer lots. They will still have the option to special order an ICE variant in these states, but it could take months for delivery.

As the demand for the Wrangler dissipates, the hybrid variant is going full steam ahead. Gear Patrol claims, “Jeep made absolutely sure that the 4xe can do every bit as much as the other four-door members of the Wrangler stable.”

It has phenomenal offroad capabilities and can last for about four hours before needing a charge, giving outdoor enthusiasts plenty of reason to love the new hybrid variant. The auto reviewer noted, “how delightful it is to go off-roading in an open-top Jeep without the grumble or moan of an internal-combustion engine.”