I did look briefly at the 4xe, but couldn’t get a few questions answered so I gave up research at the time. I understand it’s a plug in hybrid, but can it be driven completely on gas until I get to a back country trail and use both. And more importantly would it charge the battery in the backcountry with just gas and also will it be like driving cross country with a low power 4 banger and be difficult to handle highway speeds at 85 MPH. The diesel was great for heading to Utah and going on the White Rim trail.
I've spent quite a bit of time reading up about the 4xe, both from online reviews and a 4xe Wrangler forum. Here's my understanding:
1. It can be driven completely on gas using the "esave" mode. When you get to the trail, you could then switch it over to hybrid to use gas and electric.
2. It can charge the battery with just the gas engine. This is a function with esave mode that allows you to charge the batteries by running the gas engine. It's not the most efficient use of energy, so MPG will decrease, but it absolutely works. The vehicle also naturally recharges through regenerative braking.
3. The 4xe should have plenty of power at highway speeds. It will balance the gas engine + electric motor to give you boosts when you need it, even when the batteries are low. I'm sure it will require some trial and error, but I frequently drive the I-17 in AZ which takes you from Phoenix up to Northern AZ. It's got some good climbs. My guess is that I'll want to have it in a mode where I'm mostly using the gas engine during the flat portions of the drive, saving the electric battery to kick in when going up the mountains.
