4xe vs 3.6 vs 2.0

[rock-rod]

I'm really enjoying my 4xe as well. It's a '22 that I bought used about a year ago and so far, it's been very reliable save for one failed ECH that was fixed quickly by the local dealer. Mine is on the recall list so I don't leave it parked with a charged battery. I do still charge it, but only for when I know I am going to drive it ahead of time. Most of my driving is short hops that are 20 miles or less so I don't use a lot of gas. On the open highway, running in hybrid mode with the battery showing less than 1%, it will get about 22-23 mpg. It's always a hybrid so the 470ft/lbs is always on tap. When you punch it, it just GOES. You actually have to be careful if running in 2wd on slick streets because it will spin the 315s at anything more than 1/2 throttle in hybrid mode.

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[GinaC]

When you punch it, it just GOES. You actually have to be careful if running in 2wd on slick streets because it will spin the 315s at anything more than 1/2 throttle in hybrid mode.

Yeah, I spin my wheels from stop signs a lot, and it's pretty embarrassing. It's definitely not my 2006 manual, that was a dog. (And I realize that it was never meant for speed.)

 

[my_jeep_sucks]

I personally love my Rubicon 4xe. My 4xe is on 38's, with a MC lift and Fox 2.5s. It handles shockingly well, considering the weight (destroying my Pat MT02 in the process). It's also really fast. My friend has a 911-T (manual transmission and lowest HP of all the current 911s), and from a roll my Jeep is just as fast as his Porsche! My commute is all in the same town and I run 100% electric. I only really need gas when I'm heading to the trail or going up to Tahoe.

The big downsides I see are the weight, gas mileage, tank size and potential reliability. I've struggled out on the trail getting over steep obstacles, where similarly equipped 3.6s are able to handle it without issue. Many times it means running a very low tire pressure on the trail. Also, in spring snow the 4xe falls through the frozen crust and gets helplessly stuck making for very difficult recoveries. 3.6s just tip toe on by.

When I have to do long periods of time without charging I drop to a combined mileage on the computer of about 15-16mpgs. The downside to being gas only is the tank is pretty small. Also, with the 38's I never hit 8th gear, unless I manually shift there. A light gust of wind puts it back in 7th. So, that's not helping anything either.

In terms of reliability issues I have had one (knock on wood) and it was in the first week of ownership. The jeep only had 39 miles on the clock. I went out to the Jeep and it wouldn't unlock. I had to use the physical key. On getting into the Jeep and trying to start it there was absolutely no response; no screens, no clicking, absolutely nothing. It had to be towed to the dealership where they reported the 12v battery was likely flat after sitting on the lot before sale for a long period of time. Who knows if that's truly accurate, but I haven't had a problem since. All recalls have been performed quickly, with only one requiring an overnight stay due to the reflash requirements. My bigger concern is long-term reliability. All the basic stuff is exactly the same as all the other Jeeps, suspension and drivetrain, and it's all really easy to work on. The electronics are another story, who knows what's going to happen if this goes south. Also, with the most recent recall having no solution, it has my wondering about the extended viability of the 4xe.

Those are my pros and cons, and as it stands now my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe has been one of the most satisfying ownership experiences I've had in a long time.

 

[mjposner]

I test drove a 3.6 gladiator and thought it was pretty weak. I then drove the 4XE and it feels far more powerful. Ended up with a CPO 2023 Sahara. Have driven 16k miles so far without incident. Even did a 3k mile Florida to NY and back trip. Got 18mpg at 80-85mph.

 

[alphawolff]

4xe is a joy to drive and powerful, but resale value is non existent and reliability is a crap shoot. You either get one that spends a month in the shop every year or one that's flawless.

The 3.6L and 2.0L are about equal in reliability. The 2.0L is more powerful. The 3.6L is SIGNIFICNALTY easier to work on and has much lower labor costs. Something to keep in mind if you want to keep it outside of warranty.

The 392 is the best engine in the JL platform. If you can spring for it, you should. All models get frankly horrendous fuel economy.

 

[NJ_JL 2020]

I had a 2020 3.6 sport s. It was a fine engine and I liked that jeep a lot. Enough for me to trade it in for my 2024 Willys 4xe. I really like this car and the engine/motor is fantastic (note I have not been impacted by the recalls). I much prefer my 4xe over the 3.6

 

[wrexdet]

I had a Sahara 4xe (my first Wrangler), I loved it, but I traded it in and just bought a Rubicon 3.6L due to all the recalls on the 4xe, but also to get a few things my Sahara didn't have.

Definitely took a hit in acceleration power going to the 3.6L, but after driving it for a couple months, I adjusted and realized it drives just fine. The MPG's are not great. I do feel like that the 4xe got better gas mileage after the battery was depleted on the 2.0L (even with the additional weight) vs. the 3.6. It seamlessly would switch back and forth between battery and engine. It worked well.

If you go the 4xe route, I would recommend leasing it to see how it does, it seems some people are completely problem free, but others are plagued with a rash of issues. A complete roll of the dice. But in my personal experience, I never experienced any powertrain issues with my 4xe, it was only in for a broken seat belt tensioner in the back seat.

 

[Zandcwhite]

So at this point you can buy a Rubicon 4xe for the same price as a Rubicon 3.6 and 2.0 is slightly less usually but not enough to matter.
I'm looking to buy a new Wrangler and maybe even a Gladiator.
What would you all choose and why?

My thoughts, the 4xe is heavier but boasts a lot of power but the electric could be annoying, unlike my Tesla that goes 315 miles on a charge, this gets 20. So you'd really be buying it for the power, but is it actually that much more powerful? Someone have a lot of experience here on that topic? It's cool you can plug it in on the trail and use it's battery.

The 3.6 is tried and true. It just works but isn't all that powerful but it works.
The 2.0 I know nothing about, seems like it would be weak if you have to do any climbing and not much more room to grow? The 3.6 can be supercharged or turbo'd to get more power if needed.


My goal for the jeep is a lift with 37s. Nothing too crazy past that.

The 2.0t has plenty of room to grow. This is a wheel dyno with a piggyback tuner (and water/methanol injection for the higher numbers).

 

[morph860]

My first Wrangler was a 2.0T e-Torque and I'm in a 4xe now. I enjoy the 4xe more. Most of my drives are within range of going 100% electric. But even in hybrid mode, it's fun to drive and you can feel the added power from the battery. I haven't had any recalls or problems yet. I'm sure that would change my opinion.

 

[wcjeep]

Own a 3.6l non E torque. Have rented the 2l and 4xe. Prefer the 3.6l.

 

[2nd 392]

From what I have been reading the lighter, more energy dense, faster charging, not fire prone SS batteries are coming Soon. A 4Xe bought today could easily be obsolete before it’s paid off. Resale value should negatively be effected.
No recalls, issues, or problems except one minor one self created on my 21 392. Used are going for ~ $65 — $75 K variables dependent. It should maintain it’s value quite well should you decide to sell it and get a next gen 4Xe or REPB when available. Yep- the mileage sux, ~11 -11 1/2 city— but ~15 -16 hwy isn’t that bad on balance for the power and no problems.

 

[five9dak]

After driving a JKU with the 3.6 and now a 4xe, I'd never go back. The 4xe is the first Jeep we've had that has never left me feeling like I want more power than it has to give.
It's a hybrid, the battery is never "empty" and always contributes. Sure, the bit of full electric driving we get if we have a chance to charge is nice and keeps the fuel bills under control, but longer trips we get slightly better than standard Jeep mpgs.
Offroad it's stable and powerful. Is it perfect? Nope, it's a Jeep. We know what we signed up for.

The 3.6 with 8 spd is miles ahead of the JK 5psd auto implementation.

 

[lindaspins]

The 3.6 with 8 spd is miles ahead of the JK 5psd auto implementation.

It is, but still nowhere near as fun as the 4xe.

 

[JeepinJason33]

Well.... I am not buying a new Jeep of any kind for a while. I have had 35 different Jeeps so this is tough for me. I purchased two new Jeeps in 2021. The first being my current JLUR. The 3.6 Etorque in that blew up at 20,000 miles. Was out for months while they waited for a new (refurbished) engine to be put back in. When it was finally done, it was not done. They had not put any of the wiring harnesses back in the original location, the battery tie down was gone, the brake lines under the transmission were not bolted back up etc. and they sent me home that way. It was dark and I did not notice until the next day.

My wifes new GCL with the 3.6 had problems from day one with the start/stop system and a mysterious battery drain. Regardless of engine grade, the engine ticked worse than any 3.6 I had ever heard and the dealers kept telling me it was normal. Then at 24,000 miles, it started making a thunking noise in the front driver side. Brought it in, they kept it for two weeks told me it was a bearing and sent my wife on her way. When I drove it, the same noise was there. Took it to a different dealer, and they said the transmission, transfer case, and front differential were all bad. It was still just under the 3 year OEM warranty. They kept it for two months, put $32,000 into it and it still made the noise!!! We traded it in last week as I was done fighting with Jeep over it.

We have purchased 5 Jeeps from this dealership in the last 7 years, including a Grand Cherokee SRT and then a Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. After complaining about being without the two 2021 Jeeps for a combined 8 months without a loaner vehicle, the dealership finally gave my wife a Grand Wagoneer. This Wagoneer was a 2023 hold over (it was 2025 October). They have 32 of them on the four lots here in Denver. It was over 100k and the dashboard was lit up like a Christmas tree. I pulled the codes and there were 11 of them! All of which popped right back up within a few more starts of the engine. It had the big 392 in it.

Anyway, not the answer on what is the best engine, but while I was at the dealer, their excuse was that they had more engine problems than they could handle across the country. Stating both the 3.6 and 2.0 were having major issues. His last comment to me was "just be glad you don't have a 4XE." I can't imagine how it could be any worse than what I dealt with... He also told me that Stellantis was not authorizing any kind of buy backs and were just telling dealers to continue to throw parts at them regardless of the cost. The GC that they threw 32,000 at was worth 38-40 high blue book. I traded it in for 36 because there was no way I could sell it to someone.

Not done with Jeeps, still have 5, but absolutely will not buy another new one until they get their sh@t together. Absolutely no way I would buy a new Jeep right now.

 

[samcf]

The 4xe is a blast to drive. The instant torque is almost shocking. Rubicon with 2" lift and 37" KO2s and it pulls a little camper effortlessly.

Any new vehicle you buy now is risky to own out of warranty. Buy what suits you and trade it off before warranty is out. Just lease if you're scared of the hybrid.

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