To 4xe or not to 4xe

[Phantom01231]

Well… the 2021 Rubicon 4xe I got back at the beginning of March turned out to be a turd. Oddly enough it is not Jeeps fault or the fact it’s a 4xe. The previous owners had taken it to the beach for fun in the sun. They never cleaned it well enough after and all underneath, underneath the heat shields that protect some of the ev components is still sandy, salty, and starting to rust. It’s had a coolant leak on the ev heating system side that the dealer can’t seem to find. And now the radiator is leaking. Mechanic says 100% due to corrosion. I’ve looked and 100% agree. The dealer I bought it from is going to do a roll back.

so now I’m looking and am planning on just buying new. (People just don’t seem to know how to take care of there stuff these days!). I’m looking at a Rubicon X. But I don’t know if I want to go straight ICE or go 4xe. Have not spent enough time behind the 4xe to really see the negs most people are. I know and understand what the 4xe is and isn’t. No craps given about MPG etc. IBut I love driving it. Only thing I don’t really like is the back seats don’t lay flat with the cargo area. I love that I can plug it in and run the AC or heat and not have to run the ICE at idle for long periods of time if I’m on the road and need a nap. The best is on my commute home I can run in hybrid mode, use no gas and my ankle is not killing me as much from the stop and go. Some of that stuff seems silly yeah I know. First one I drove was out in CO and it was a beast up the mountains. Before that trip I was 100% anti 4xe.

On the other side I 100% can’t have a vehicle that’s in the shop all the time.

What do you guys think? How are the 24s and 25s holding up?

Sponsored

 

[dbp512]

I've got a '23 4xE and have no complaints about it. It's had zero issues and only spent a few hours at the dealership (quick recalls and free oil changes). It did finally enter FORM for the first time last week, but that's to be expected as I haven't given it any new fuel in over 3 months. This week I'm on vacation driving a rented '25 with the 2.0t and no hybrid assist, but it feels just so sluggish and under-powered in comparison.

 

[BLUEPONY70]

My co workers 2023 4xe

 

[Bulldog4xFour]

My wife's 4XE has been issue free for 36,000 miles. I love how quiet it can be in the morning just running electric, and the power is a big plus. I have definitely considered trading in my JT Mojave for a 4XE Rubicon. I did have overheating issues with the trans when we took it off road up a steep grade in Uwharie. I think a Rubicon with lower gearing, and better transfer case wouldn't have had that issue.

 

[Slate]

Oh boy you are going to get a lot of dumb comments.

Since you already had/have a 4XE then you know all you need to know. For me, the lack of having that tax rebate would be a factor, not sure if that matters in your case.

There is supposed to be some manner of a refresh I think next model year, so that would be my one hesitance. I don't think we are going to see double the battery range or anything like that, but you never know what changes (improvements??) we could possibly see. To go on even further, I am not sure I would want the first year of anything, so there is that.


I am very happy with my 4XE and it fits my use case. I am disappointed in the 3 years that I have had it, I haven't seen ANY improvement in the charging infrastructure in my town, so that is kind of frustrating. Obviously I charge at home.

I am not going to lie though, every time I see a 396 I kind of wonder if I shouldn't have gone that route. Not comparing apples to oranges at all, but still.

My wife has been toying with the idea of getting her own Jeep, if so, I would probably just get her the 2.0 ICE. It's funny, as at first she wanted the Sahara as she felt the rubi's were too "masculine". We went by the dealer the other day and she saw a Rub with the XR package and said she wanted one like that! HAHA!

 

[Phantom01231]

My wife's 4XE has been issue free for 36,000 miles. I love how quiet it can be in the morning just running electric, and the power is a big plus. I have definitely considered trading in my JT Mojave for a 4XE Rubicon. I did have overheating issues with the trans when we took it off road up a steep grade in Uwharie. I think a Rubicon with lower gearing, and better transfer case wouldn't have had that issue.

Damn I miss Uwharie. Miss NC in general. Not the politics though. Yeah if the trans overheated out there…. Unless it was on Daniel then I could kind of see that. Def not the first person I’ve heard with the trans overheating on the trail.

 

[GoatBoy]

I enjoy driving the wife's '22 Sahara Unlimited 4xe bought used with 4k miles in Apr '23. Stock configuration. Still enjoy speed at 71 & the 4xe executes promptly, even for a bit over 5k lb. brick!! Speed limited to approx 96 mph but that's probably a good thing.
A big plus is the regenerative braking. Lifting off the go pedal induces regen while applying brakes induces more regen while slowing faster. It takes quite an application of brake pedal to actually use the mechanical brake system, though it is used to come to a complete stop. Wife always hard on brakes but at 30k miles they are close to new. No ridge on rotor at all. High on fun factor & substantial savings possible.
Not economically sensible with our cost of electricity in Connecticut $0.33/Kwh so the 25ish electric miles (off of 100% 0%) cost $4.79 while gas is $2.85/gal so 20mi/gal means 25 miles cost $3.56. We installed home charger within 2 weeks of purchase & electric was $0.22/Kwh so $3.19 to charge up then.
No interior room. I mean NO interior room. A lot of sh*t squeezed into every space available. Not flat from cargo area to folded rear seat backs.
Fuel mileage. (Your mileage may vary!!) So you've driven the 25 electric miles, show 0% and ICE running. 0% does not mean no battery as there is approx 15-20% charge. Many situations where ICE will stop and electric only moves you which obviously saves fuel and will add to fuel mileage number on display. Wife averages 50 miles per trip with full battery usage & gets a dash reading of 29 mpg lately (winter fuel). A gallon of gas, which may only get 18-20 mpg at 75 mph for extended periods, may get double that mileage (we have seen 39 for extended periods of time). Just saying a gallon a gas can go a lot farther with the assist.
Electrical systems/issues are on a different level. And everything is connected to the electrical system so...
Initial cost.

So it depends on
a) what you pay for electricity vs gasoline
b) the distance driven before being able to charge up
c) the savings on oil changes, air filters and brakes
d) are you a DIY only - like many - but a little less knowledgable on electrics; and locked out of most of the programming having to rely on Stellantis who is having a hard time making many of these vehicles operate properly
e) $$ saved vs $$ spent, and/or if it matters to you - only time will tell

(CT electrical rates one of the highest in the country & currently paying approx 40-50% government allowed 'fee' so that "Eversource" can recover losses from those who did not pay during Covid - though I'd bet their profits are up & big execs & stockholders don't loose a penny)(excuse the rant)

 

[CaliJLU]

Well… the 2021 Rubicon 4xe I got back at the beginning of March turned out to be a turd. Oddly enough it is not Jeeps fault or the fact it’s a 4xe. The previous owners had taken it to the beach for fun in the sun. They never cleaned it well enough after and all underneath, underneath the heat shields that protect some of the ev components is still sandy, salty, and starting to rust. It’s had a coolant leak on the ev heating system side that the dealer can’t seem to find. And now the radiator is leaking. Mechanic says 100% due to corrosion. I’ve looked and 100% agree. The dealer I bought it from is going to do a roll back.

so now I’m looking and am planning on just buying new. (People just don’t seem to know how to take care of there stuff these days!). I’m looking at a Rubicon X. But I don’t know if I want to go straight ICE or go 4xe. Have not spent enough time behind the 4xe to really see the negs most people are. I know and understand what the 4xe is and isn’t. No craps given about MPG etc. IBut I love driving it. Only thing I don’t really like is the back seats don’t lay flat with the cargo area. I love that I can plug it in and run the AC or heat and not have to run the ICE at idle for long periods of time if I’m on the road and need a nap. The best is on my commute home I can run in hybrid mode, use no gas and my ankle is not killing me as much from the stop and go. Some of that stuff seems silly yeah I know. First one I drove was out in CO and it was a beast up the mountains. Before that trip I was 100% anti 4xe.

On the other side I 100% can’t have a vehicle that’s in the shop all the time.

What do you guys think? How are the 24s and 25s holding up?

wait for the 26 model year with the updated 2.0 an new tranny

 

[Phantom01231]

wait for the 26 model year with the updated 2.0 an new tranny

I actually found a fantastic deal on a Rubicon X in 41. Decided to go with a straight ICE. Wanted the 2.0T but could not find any anywhere close to me in the X. Nothing even within a decent driving distance. Had her two weeks and loving the shit out of it. Can’t wait to hit the trails. My kids have already named it Green Bean lol!

 

[R4NS0M]

What do you guys think? How are the 24s and 25s holding up?

So, I think you’ve sort of answered your own questions about whether the 4xE is for you or not.

We bought one for my son in 24, and he has had no problems or issues with it, and also loves it for some of the same reasons you do.

I think people either love electric stuff, or they just dont— and that’s fine, but I feel like a lot of people who feel they are “real jeepers” have a lot to say about the 4xE when they’ve never been behind the wheel of one, or they just don’t dig electric.

 

[Phantom01231]

So, I think you’ve sort of answered your own questions about whether the 4xE is for you or not.

We bought one for my son in 24, and he has had no problems or issues with it, and also loves it for some of the same reasons you do.

I think people either love electric stuff, or they just dont— and that’s fine, but I feel like a lot of people who feel they are “real jeepers” have a lot to say about the 4xE when they’ve never been behind the wheel of one, or they just don’t dig electric.

yeah I guess I did. I do like what the 4xe actually is. Not what people think it is. Which I figure is where a lot of the negative stuff comes up. Granted it is still new and yeah there are gonna be issues. I did look to see what was out there in a 24 25 4xe Rubicon X and in a good driving range there were only 2. One dealer didn’t want to work with me on a vehicle they have obviously had sitting for a bit. It was a 24. And I had found another that was 24 slightly used with a price that was too good to refuse. It was on the lot for two days or so… I would have waited for a weekend to go check it out 170 miles away… Ultimately I’ll wait a while and let that 4xe system get more refined. I had one dealer tell me that they won’t even order the 4xe for their inventory anymore!

Real Jeepers…. That bugs me so much sometimes. Being a REAL Jeep guy or even lady is much more than buying a Jeep and slapping a shit ton of upgrades on it that there is no skill involved on the trail. Hell it’s so much more than just the Jeep and hitting the trail itself. I think that is getting lost on a lot of the younger folks.

 

[RookieWrangler718]

i have a 2024 wrangler High altitude 4xe and all i can say is that its been nothing but electrical issues since the beginning of the year. I only have 16,508 miles and been getting blind spot issues, electrical issues(radio screen not working, A/C controls not working), the latest issue i have was that i had to replace both batteries in the car.

 

[sentience]

Well… the 2021 Rubicon 4xe I got back at the beginning of March turned out to be a turd. Oddly enough it is not Jeeps fault or the fact it’s a 4xe. The previous owners had taken it to the beach for fun in the sun. They never cleaned it well enough after and all underneath, underneath the heat shields that protect some of the ev components is still sandy, salty, and starting to rust. It’s had a coolant leak on the ev heating system side that the dealer can’t seem to find. And now the radiator is leaking. Mechanic says 100% due to corrosion. I’ve looked and 100% agree. The dealer I bought it from is going to do a roll back.

so now I’m looking and am planning on just buying new. (People just don’t seem to know how to take care of there stuff these days!). I’m looking at a Rubicon X. But I don’t know if I want to go straight ICE or go 4xe. Have not spent enough time behind the 4xe to really see the negs most people are. I know and understand what the 4xe is and isn’t. No craps given about MPG etc. IBut I love driving it. Only thing I don’t really like is the back seats don’t lay flat with the cargo area. I love that I can plug it in and run the AC or heat and not have to run the ICE at idle for long periods of time if I’m on the road and need a nap. The best is on my commute home I can run in hybrid mode, use no gas and my ankle is not killing me as much from the stop and go. Some of that stuff seems silly yeah I know. First one I drove was out in CO and it was a beast up the mountains. Before that trip I was 100% anti 4xe.

On the other side I 100% can’t have a vehicle that’s in the shop all the time.

What do you guys think? How are the 24s and 25s holding up?

All I’m going to say is my factory order 4xe was in the shop all the time. So much so, I got my money back. I telework, and barely got to drive the damn thing anywhere. YMMV

 

[MattMc123]

I'm very happy with my24 Rubi X 4xe. No issues so far but on about 7K miles. I've also owned a 2020 JLU 2.0t and a Rubi Gladiator. This one is my favorite by a long shot.

 

[BXFXJeep]

i have a 2024 wrangler High altitude 4xe and all i can say is that its been nothing but electrical issues since the beginning of the year. I only have 16,508 miles and been getting blind spot issues, electrical issues(radio screen not working, A/C controls not working), the latest issue i have was that i had to replace both batteries in the car.

Both batteries?

Sponsored