Jeep Bolsters Wrangler Lineup With 2023 Willys 4xe Model

• The 2023 Wrangler Willys 4xe joins the lineup.
• It carries the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as other 4xe models that makes 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.
• The Willys trim balances everyday usability with off-road prowess.

The 2023 Wrangler Willys 4xe gets the same powertrain as the other 4xe models. That means a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gets paired up with a 17-kWh battery and an electric motor. The two combine for a total of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Jeep says the Wrangler Willys 4xe gets an estimated 49 miles per gallon equivalent and an electric-only range of 21 miles on a single charge. But the appeal of the Willys model isn't just what it will do on-road, but off-road too.

To that end, the Willys'd version of the 4xe Wrangler gets a Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel-drive system that features a two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 gear ratio. It also has 10.1 inches of ground clearance and a water fording depth of 30 inches, and it features a limited-slip differential for the rear axle to help maximize traction. The Willys model also adds heavy-duty Dana 44 axles and features Firestone mud-terrain tires wrapped around blacked-out 17-inch wheels.

The Wrangler Willys 4xe also offers a number of creature comforts that make it a more livable off-roader. Full LED headlights and foglights, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system and all-weather floor mats all come standard on the Willys model. Jeep's Sky One-Touch Power Top (essentially a piece of fabric that serves as the car's roof that can slide back and forth at the press of a button) and Jeep's 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display with navigation are available in the Sun and Screen option package. Other neat touches include blue tow hooks, some special Willy decals and a blacked-out seven-slot grille.

If all of that wasn't compelling enough, the Willys model also serves as a decent value compared to other 4xe models. Its starting price of $55,590, with destination, makes it the new entry point for the Wrangler 4xe range, and that's before you factor in the potential $7,500 federal tax credit. Order books for the Willys 4xe open today, with the first deliveries slated for the last few months of the year.

Edmunds says

A good value, good fuel economy and serious off-road chops? Yeah, sign us up for that.