Jeep Wrangler 4xe blends real off-road capability with hybrid power and strong everyday usability.
Bronco nails retro style and trail chops, but compromises value and daily refinement.
For torque, tech, and trail readiness at a better price, Wrangler 4xe wins with my money.

In recent years, Jeep and Ford both doubled down on heritage and capability. Thankfully, they go about it differently. The Jeep Wrangler, now in its fourth year in Canada with 4xe tech, still stands as one of the few plug‑in hybrids that actually makes sense in the real world. Meanwhile, the Bronco, Heritage Edition, Sasquatch and all other dedicated trims wear their retro style like a badge of honour. Both bring serious trail chops, but only one wins your cash.

2025 Jeep Wrangler WIllys 4xe | Photo: Matt St-Pierre

Pricing & Specs at a Glance

Jeep Wrangler 4xe

Based on the four‑door Wrangler, the 4xe is powered by Jeep’s turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering 375 hp and 470 lb‑ft of torque. EV range is rated at about 35 km. Canadian fuel consumption is roughly 11.7 L/100 km combined. I’ve observed as little as half of that amount. By actively managing EV range via drive modes and plugging in at absolutely every occasion upon returning home.

Base MSRP starts around just shy of $60,000. The tested Wrangler Willys starts out at just over $65,000, to which is combined the Willy ’41 group (unique ’41 exterior colour with matching painted wheels, auxiliary switches,4.10 rear end), priced at $5,200. Extra add-ons include the Convenience, Safety, and Technology groups, body-colour roof, and a few other items, and the grand total hovers around $82,000.

2024 Ford Bronco Heritage Limited Edition Review: For Nostalgia or Just Damn Cool!

Ford Bronco 4 Door

The Bronco 4-door starts at $51,365. The step up to the Outer Banks requires an extra $10,000, still powered by the standard turbocharged 300 hp 2.3L 4-cylinder engine. The model seen here is powered by the optional 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (330 hp/415 lb‑ft), which is rated at 13.2L. Based on driving experiences, 14L/100km in mixed driving is about as good as one can expect when spec’d the way this one is.

The Sasquatch package adds a further $9,280. It includes an advanced 4×4, 17-inch carbonized grey painted wheels wrapped in 35-inch tires, a 4.7 final drive ratio with electronic-locking front and rear axles, massive fender flares, a painted hardtop, and more. The grand total is near $80,000.

Design & Character: Off-Road “Chic” vs. Technological Muscle

The Bronco Sasquatch is visually but a step down from the hardcore Raptor. While the grille might be “normal” Bronco, the huge fender flares hanging off the squared‑off fenders, running boards, and gigantic 35-inch tires tell onlookers everything they need to know about this truck. The Desert Sand colour-matching body and roof drive home the point that this SUV is just about unstoppable. Inside, it’s a fun space where space, features, and nostalgia come together. The 12-inch infotainment screen and 12-inch digital cluster are entirely 2025.

The Wrangler 4xe Willys, in contrast, is just as appealing as the Sasquatch however it’s slightly more soothing visually. There are familiar door hinges and removable roof panels, which are enriched by subtle EV cues: blue‑stitching, badging, and the charging port positioned just ahead of the A‑pillar on the driver side. The Willys ’41 edition layers on military heritage with olive‑drab paint, period‑correct decals, tan Heritage cloth seats, not to mention a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Front and rear steel bumpers and 33-inch all‑terrain tires for serious attitude and capability. It doesn’t shout history so much as it channels it—through acceleration, torque, and utility.

Given the cult following behind both models, it would be difficult to convince fans of one to consider the possibility that the other is better-looking. The Bronco’s huge tires and black flares could edge out the Wrangler, but the Wrangler is a Wrangler, and a Wrangler is timeless.

In both cases, the vast personalization options and opportunities enable buyers to tailor these trucks to their personalities.

Performance & Off-Road Capability: Hybrid Boost vs. Gasoline Boost

Off-road, both are beasts. They can also effortlessly handle mall parking lots, too…

With the Sasquatch package, the Ford Bronco can’t easily be stopped. With 11.5 inches of ground clearance, it handles water crossings up to 33.5 inches. It delivers an agile turning radius thanks to Trail Turn Assist, which applies the brakes to the inside rear wheels during low-speed, high-steering-angle manoeuvres. The Sasquatch’s HOSS 2.0 Suspension System with long-travel dampers mean articulation when you need it most. Combined with the 330 hp V6 engines and 10-speed automatic transmission, going deep can be a daily occurrence.

Despite being an environmentally friendly PHEV, the Wrangler 4xe brings serious torque to the trail. The 2.0L turbo + dual electric motors yield the same amount of torque as the Wrangler 392 so off‑road climbs and highway merging feel effortless. Along with the EV mode, the E‑Save mode lets you preserve battery for later if you’re heading into sensitive areas or campsites. The regenerative braking button adds another lever of control when decelerating. Notably, the heavy-duty Trail Rated hardware, 33-inch tires, Selec-Trac full-time transfer case with a 4LO, ELocker Dana M220 rear axle, along with 10.8 inches of ground clearance and 31.5 inches of water fording, the Willys’41 too can’t be stopped.

On pavement, the Bronco surprises. It’s more planted than expected, though the aggressive tires are noisy and steering can feel vague at speed. The Wrangler 4xe is quick—0–100 km/h in roughly 6 seconds—and refined enough for daily driving, more than any previous Wrangler generation. The hybrid system offers flexibility and a silent mode that the Bronco lacks.

Verdict: If I’m Spending My Own Money…

If it were my money, it’s the Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon or Willys ’41 every time. Here’s why:

Performance that enhances the off-road experience: instant electric torque, 375 hp, hybrid flexibility.
Reliability. Though both suffer from many issues, my faith in Jeep is slightly stronger than it is in Ford.
Jeep heritage. Yes, the Bronco is a legend on its own but the Wrangler projects a “sweeter” image and this even as a Rubicon X. Jeep has consistently delivered for off-road enthusiasts

In short: the Wrangler 4xe gives you capability, character, and tech, all at a lower entry point. A similarly equipped Bronco to the base $60,000 Wrangler 4xe Sport S, a Big Bend with the automatic transmission, retails for approximately $55,000. Also, in Quebec, the 4xe is eligible for a rebate and should the federal iZEV return, which the environment minister said will, the gap disappears…

It’s the rare PHEV that truly makes sense. The Bronco is cool, but the Wrangler 4xe is smarter. And if I had the cash? That’s exactly what I’d wheel out of the lot.