From the day it was revealed, it was abundantly clear to everyone that the sixth-generation Ford Bronco was designed to compete directly with one vehicle in particular – the Jeep Wrangler, which has long been a top-seller thanks to its unique combination of off-road prowess and open-air capability. The decision to do precisely that has certainly paid off for The Blue Oval thus far, as the Wrangler has been the biggest conquest for the Ford Bronco as it continues to sway owners in the other direction. However, one thing that the Jeep Wrangler – which just received a refresh for the 2024 model year – has that the Bronco doesn’t is a hybrid offering – the Jeep Wranger 4xe – though now, sources familiar with the matter have told Ford Authority that FoMoCo is currently benchmarking that exact model.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a plug-in hybrid that has quickly become a hit among shoppers looking for a more efficient off-roader that has both the capability to travel short distances on electric power only, as well as longer distances utilizing traditional ICE power. It mates the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 gas engine with a pair of electric motors and a 17 kWh battery, with a combined output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.
Given Ford’s commitment to hybrids in general – which it expects to make, sell, and be profitable for the foreseeable future – a hybrid or PHEV version of the Ford Bronco certainly seems like a given, even if one doesn’t exist yet. However, reading the tea leaves, such a machine doesn’t seem like it would be too much trouble for The Blue Oval to actually produce, either.
In fact, FoMoCo just revealed the all-new 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV, which pairs the existing 2.3L I-4 EcoBoost gas engine with an electric motor and battery to offer customers 28 miles of electric-only driving range, though it won’t be sold in the U.S. – at least for now. Given the fact that the Ranger and Bronco share the same platform, that same engine in gas form, and are built alongside each other, it would make too much sense not to create a proper Jeep Wrangler 4xe rival, we’d say.
We’ll have more on the Bronco soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Bronco news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Nobody wants that garbage.
I think Brett meant to say “it WOULDN’T make too much sense not to create a proper Jeep Wrangler 4xe rival.”
28 electric miles in a little weak for what the market will be when this comes out. The next PHEV I will considering needs to be closer to 50.
Long overdue!