Jeep Wranglers are well known in the off-roading community. While they tend to remain very popular with consumers, Wranglers are also very expensive, and the plug-in hybrid Wrangler is no exception. Even used Wranglers tend to be very costly because they hold their value. Jeep now says that the 2024 Wrangler 4xe is going to be more affordable this year thanks to a new Sport S trim.

There’s a new Jeep Wrangler 4xe trim level

Jeep is making some subtle changes to the 2024 Wrangler 4xe, which it hopes will please its fan base. CNET reports that one of these is a new Sport S 4xe trim.

The engine will remain the same as previous versions of the Wrangler 4xe. This means a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 100-kilowatt plug-in hybrid system, which will generate 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, will be used. The engine will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 4×4 drivetrain. The 400-volt electric battery is a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion. 

Other welcome changes include a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen infotainment system, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There will also be a Jeep 4xe Power Box. This is a 120-volt AC inverter system, which gives the Wrangler 4xe four NEMA 5-15 outlets. For Wrangler lovers who have laptops, phones, and tablets to charge, this will be a most welcome change. 

It’s unclear if all these new updates will be available on the new Sport trim. It may be saved for higher trim levels. Whatever the case, it will be a most tempting incentive for Wrangler drivers to upgrade.

What’s the starting price of the new 2024 Wrangler 4xe?

At this time, we don’t know. No specific information has been released yet.

According to CNET, “The new Sport S 4xe model joins the lineup of PHEV Wranglers at the entry point with similar packaging to the conventional, nonhybrid Wrangler Sport S 4×4. Jeep promises it’ll come with a lower starting price than currently available on its PHEV models, but it hasn’t announced specific pricing just yet. That takes some of the wind out of the “affordable PHEV” sails — but the new model will be cheaper than the current $56,530 (including the $1,795 destination fee) price floor and that’s a good thing.”

Given the Wrangler’s long history, high prices are more the norm for this lineup. However, consumers still eagerly race to their local dealership to purchase the latest Wrangler. It’s clear that it has enough of a fan base to attract buyers no matter what the MSRP is. Lowering the price even slightly will be sure to bring in even more consumers who are turned away by the current price range.

It’s not all about the range

It’s widely assumed that EV sales are heavily dependent on the range, and this makes sense. For many rural areas, there simply aren’t any charging stations for EVs, which can make a road trip a harrowing experience if you happen to come across extensive roadwork that forces you to reroute. While this doubtless plays a role in the decision process for many EV buyers, the Wrangler 4xe has disproved this.

That’s because the Wrangler 4xe only gets 22 miles of electric range. Of course, it’s a PHEV, or plug-in hybrid, so there’s not as much pressure to have extensive range. Even so, there is a growing push for even PHEVs to have a more range. 

The Wrangler 4xe seems to be the exception to this, as it remains as popular as ever. This probably has to do with the 49 mpge range, which is what many Wrangler drivers who are used to much low fuel mileage range are really concerned about.