If you’ve been shopping for an SUV, there’s a very good chance you’ve stumbled across the term “4xe” a time or two. Maybe you’ve seen the little blue badge on a vehicle while browsing a car lot, or you might’ve heard the term during your car research. It’s actually a specific nameplate representing the Jeep brand’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle line.
Pronounced “four-by-E,” it’s a play on the brand’s iconic 4x4 legacy. These models blend the automaker’s legacy of traditional four-wheel drive vehicles with electric power. It was Jeep’s first foray into electrification, giving drivers a more efficient option without sacrificing the incredible performance associated with Jeep SUVs.
How Does 4xe Technology Work?
Now, Jeep has begun introducing fully electric vehicles, like the Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S, but the 4xe models were the first step towards that end. Both the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, almost certainly the two most iconic models on the lineup, were available with 4xe trim levels from inception (2021) until they were discontinued (2025).
These vehicles combine a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine with a pair of high-output electric motors, as well as a 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Altogether, regardless of model, your Jeep SUV would be capable of generating 375 horsepower alongside 470 pound-feet of instantaneous torque, outperforming many conventional gasoline engines.
Its hybrid nature means you get to charge your vehicle at home or a public station for short all-electric driving trips, but also the ability to fill up your tank at the gas station and continue driving when the battery runs low. This gives you the benefit of an EV as your daily driver, but eliminates range anxiety when you do need to take longer trips.
Customizing Your Drive with E-Selec Modes
The Jeep brand is no stranger to allowing their customers to tailor their driving experience with a simple button push, and that is certainly one of the coolest features available with the 4xe system. Each Jeep 4xe model features three distinct E-Selec driving modes, which you can access right on the dashboard.
- Hybrid Mode – The default setting that seamlessly blends power from both the engine and the electric motors. It prioritizes battery power first, giving you maximum horsepower, instant acceleration, and optimal fuel economy.
- Electric Mode – Allows you to drive on pure electric power with zero tailpipe emissions. The Wrangler 4xe offers up to 21 miles of pure electric range, while the Grand Cherokee 4xe gets up to 25 miles.
- eSave Mode – Preserves the battery charge for later use by running primarily on the gas engine. This is ideal if you want to save your electric power for low-speed trail driving once you reach your off-road destination.
Trail-Tested Off-Road Capability
One of the biggest fears of Jeep enthusiasts when it comes to electrification is whether or not adding electric motors and the battery pack will compromise the legendary off-road capability associated with vehicles like the Wrangler. The short answer is no, they absolutely don’t. In fact, having electric torque can make certain aspects of off-road driving even better.
Because electric motors deliver instant torque, you do not need to rev the engine to gain traction over steep rocks or tough obstacles. Furthermore, the 17.3 kWh battery pack is fully sealed inside a heavy-duty waterproof casing. This allows 4xe models to ford through up to 31.5 inches of water, matching the capability of gas-powered counterparts. Plus, exploring nature in pure Electric Mode means near-silent trail riding, letting you immerse yourself in the outdoors without engine noise.
Find Your Jeep 4xe at Jim Glover CDJRF
As mentioned, the 4xe models are no longer being manufactured by the Jeep brand, but there are still used models out there. Be sure to check out our inventory to see if we have what you’re interested in available, or feel free to give us a call and we’ll do our best to track down a vehicle that suits your needs.
