Opinion: Jeep Made A Massive Mistake By Giving Up On The Gladiator 4xe

[DirkG]

I think the 4xe only makes sense if you truly need a daily commuter and you are keeping it under 30 miles a day. Otherwise you are just toting around a bunch of dead weight in those batteries that diminish your MPG.

Exactly. The 4xe exists so Jeep can market the fact that "The Jeep Wrangler 4xe has been America's best-selling plug-in hybrid (PHEV) for three years straight."

The execution and electric performance of that PHEV is another story.

As mentioned, we own a '25 4xe and it's perfect for our around-the-town driving. However, I work from home and have the luxury of just plugging the 4xe in every time I come home. Keep in mind, normal 110V charging takes 11 hours for a full charge. I think for real world every day driving, the 25-30 miles is basically a shoulder shrug.

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[ShadowsPapa]

I think the 4xe only makes sense if you truly need a daily commuter and you are keeping it under 30 miles a day. Otherwise you are just toting around a bunch of dead weight in those batteries that diminish your MPG.

LOL - you don't own one and have never driven one across the country, have you?

It shows. The HP and torque in the 4xe rivals many V8s - blows the 3.6 away. Better MPG as well.
In other words - your "I think" isn't based on anything at all.

It's a hybrid once the initial "25 miles" is up - still giving you V8 performance, at far far better MPG than a V8 Jeep would be. The 392 Wrangler is rated at what - 15 to 16?
If you never charged the battery in the JLU 4xe, you'll still easily best that mpg, and approach the power of a V8.

The EPA numbers -

JT 3.6L - 17/22
JT 3.0L - 22/28

Current average cost of gas*: $3.15
Current average cost of diesel: $3.75
Avg difference: $.59/gal
Local difference @ my local Costco: $.40/gal

Since gas and diesel have different fuel tanks, let's just say we're doing a 17gal fill up for both, since in my experience it's a rare event that I exceed 17gal (I think I've hit 19gal once).

Price per tank fill-up
Gas: $53.55
Diesel: $63.75

Assume mileage per year is 10,000
Gas: 588 gallons / 454 gallons
Diesel: 454 gallons / 357 gallons

Cost per year in fuel only
Gas: $1852.20 / $1430.1
Diesel: $1702.50 / $1338.75

It's a difference of $2.88/week at most.

Obviously which engine choice is better depends on local fuel markets. When you begin to consider other things like DEF, consumables like tires, etc., I don't think the EcoDiesel is really sitting at an advantage with all things considered.




*regular... waste of money for premium

CURRENTLY - $0.70 cents difference (and I based my other calculations on numbers at that time, making it a total wash using REAL numbers, not EPA ratings)

 

[biodiesel]

Ram 1500?

Yes, 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel.

 

[Stan H]

Yes, 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel.

Whats the weight difference between the 2 trucks I wonder the 6.7L's that I owned for over 9 yrs. Never had a problem not a single hiccup with exception of a waterpump . I found that they were happy when they was run hard and for long trips . I was always running like 240 miles per trip 1 time a week thats 120 out 120 back.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

I rented a wrangler 4xe just to evaluate the difference. It came with 0 charge so I paid to charge it up. In a drive from Boston to Portland Maine, it started out with high 20's mileage but once the batteries were exhausted at about 50 miles the milage rapidly dropped and by the time I finished my 2+ hour drive on mostly highway the average milage had dropped to the mid teens. Totally discouraged me. I think the 4xe only makes sense if you truly need a daily commuter and you are keeping it under 30 miles a day. Otherwise you are just toting around a bunch of dead weight in those batteries that diminish your MPG.

That's not how the 4xe works. You're either making things up, or you were driving a severely broken Jeep. At no point do the batteries fully drain and cause you to "tote around a bunch of dead weight".

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That's not how the 4xe works. You're either making things up, or you were driving a severely broken Jeep. At no point do the batteries fully drain and cause you to "tote around a bunch of dead weight".

He said the mileage started out in the high 20s - meh, I don't think so. That's like the MPGe, not true gas usage per mile. You can find the actual gas use in another screen, or do what I did - calculate it at the pump using an app or pencil and paper.
With no battery charge, here's what we did in Florida and on our way into Georgia - this was not reading the screen, but actual calculated mpg.
Much of the time, my wife's JLU Rubicon 4xe is in the 25-28 MPGe range.

This is one of my favorites from tracking her Jeep back then - 42.16 MPG - of course not counting the charging...............

 

[biodiesel]

Whats the weight difference between the 2 trucks I wonder

The weight difference between the 1500 and 2500/3500 can be nearly 2,000 lbs. It's one reason why the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is rated for up to 32 mpg on the highway.

the 6.7L's that I owned for over 9 yrs. Never had a problem not a single hiccup with exception of a waterpump . I found that they were happy when they was run hard and for long trips . I was always running like 240 miles per trip 1 time a week thats 120 out 120 back.

Unlike the Cummins (medium duty engine), the EcoDiesel is just a light duty engine. It's not designed or intended to have a long service life like the Cummins. With that said, the folks who do a lot of highway driving have the most success.

Our 2015 Ram EcoDiesel is a daily driver, work truck, and tow rig. I'll be happy to get 200,000 miles of that engine simply because it's had a hard life (short trips, high idle times, cold weather operation, and heavy towing).

Our 2020 Ram EcoDiesel is a designated tow rig. Even though towing is hard on the engine, it's mostly a highway tractor. For example, today we logged 250 miles towing the camper. It doesn't get driven very often, but when it does, it goes the distance. I anticipate getting at least 300,000 miles of this engine.

 

[Gecko4]

The EPA numbers -

JT 3.6L - 17/22
JT 3.0L - 22/28

Current average cost of gas*: $3.15
Current average cost of diesel: $3.75
Avg difference: $.59/gal
Local difference @ my local Costco: $.40/gal

Since gas and diesel have different fuel tanks, let's just say we're doing a 17gal fill up for both, since in my experience it's a rare event that I exceed 17gal (I think I've hit 19gal once).

Price per tank fill-up
Gas: $53.55
Diesel: $63.75

Assume mileage per year is 10,000
Gas: 588 gallons / 454 gallons
Diesel: 454 gallons / 357 gallons

Cost per year in fuel only
Gas: $1852.20 / $1430.1
Diesel: $1702.50 / $1338.75

It's a difference of $2.88/week at most.

Obviously which engine choice is better depends on local fuel markets. When you begin to consider other things like DEF, consumables like tires, etc., I don't think the EcoDiesel is really sitting at an advantage with all things considered.




*regular... waste of money for premium

The EPA numbers -

JT 3.6L - 17/22
JT 3.0L - 22/28

Current average cost of gas*: $3.15
Current average cost of diesel: $3.75
Avg difference: $.59/gal
Local difference @ my local Costco: $.40/gal

Since gas and diesel have different fuel tanks, let's just say we're doing a 17gal fill up for both, since in my experience it's a rare event that I exceed 17gal (I think I've hit 19gal once).

Price per tank fill-up
Gas: $53.55
Diesel: $63.75

Assume mileage per year is 10,000
Gas: 588 gallons / 454 gallons
Diesel: 454 gallons / 357 gallons

Cost per year in fuel only
Gas: $1852.20 / $1430.1
Diesel: $1702.50 / $1338.75

It's a difference of $2.88/week at most.

Obviously which engine choice is better depends on local fuel markets. When you begin to consider other things like DEF, consumables like tires, etc., I don't think the EcoDiesel is really sitting at an advantage with all things considered.




*regular... waste of money for premium

Gas 17/22 averages 19
Diesel 22/28 averages 25
thats 20% better fuel economy with the diesel.
We have had both, and have always been amazed at the fuel saving we see with the diesel.

 

[Stan H]

Gas 17/22 averages 19
Diesel 22/28 averages 25
thats 20% better fuel economy with the diesel.
We have had both, and have always been amazed at the fuel saving we see with the diesel.

Until your warranty runs out and the repair cost comes.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Gas 17/22 averages 19
Diesel 22/28 averages 25
thats 20% better fuel economy with the diesel.
We have had both, and have always been amazed at the fuel saving we see with the diesel.

Amount of fuel saved, but for many, the cost is a wash. We've done the math.

 

[Splenda]

Amount of fuel saved, but for many, the cost is a wash. We've done the math.

3.73 gears help a lot too.

 

[MPMB]

Amount of fuel saved, but for many, the cost is a wash. We've done the math.

Clearly cost is irrelevant for many.

I'd say most of us remember when diesel was cheaper than gas. Thanks, former political guy.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Exactly. The 4xe exists so Jeep can market the fact that "The Jeep Wrangler 4xe has been America's best-selling plug-in hybrid (PHEV) for three years straight."

The execution and electric performance of that PHEV is another story.

As mentioned, we own a '25 4xe and it's perfect for our around-the-town driving. However, I work from home and have the luxury of just plugging the 4xe in every time I come home. Keep in mind, normal 110V charging takes 11 hours for a full charge. I think for real world every day driving, the 25-30 miles is basically a shoulder shrug.

It exists so they can claim best selling PHEV for 3 years? Why is it the best selling? People didn't buy them so that Jeep could use the facts of their popularity for marketing? It exists because you get much better performance than anything but the 392 while getting much better fuel economy than the 392 could dream of. If your primary use is long roadtrips it's not ideal but still works just fine. Even if your average daily commute is 60 miles, half of that in pure electric and half at ~20mpg still means you only burn 1.5 gallons vs 3 in a standard 2.0t while still having 392 torque. What if you also plug it in at work? Now you can make all or at least 95% of your commute on electric power. Meanwhile if you drive the only other Jeep with that torque output you paid $20-30k more out the gate and burn 4+ gallons a day. It's the best selling PHEV because it's like having your cake and eating it too. It's still a fully capable Jeep that can be run on electricity and has v8 power without the price tag or terrible fuel economy. There's no other off road capable PHEV available. The rest of them are pretty boring in fact.

 

[Stan H]

Clearly cost is irrelevant for many.

I'd say most of us remember when diesel was cheaper than gas. Thanks, former political guy.

I remember when gas was $0.80.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I remember when gas was $0.80.

This is why my Firebird has 4.30 gears, a big block, and no overdrive

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