Combining an SUV with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain offers the best of both worlds. You get a commanding view of the road, added interior space typical of an SUV, and the benefit of traveling short distances solely on electric power.
The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and BMW X5 xDrive50e are two examples of the growing market of plug-in hybrid SUVs. While at a glance, the comparison of a Jeep to a BMW might seem quirky, they have more in common than you imagine.
We’ve put plenty of miles on each during road tests and have discovered they possess some entertaining and unique attributes in their engineering DNA.
Let’s dive into the highlights of these two plug-in hybrids to see how they compare.
2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
2024 model shown
The Jeep Wrangler needs no introduction; it’s one of the rare models in the automotive world that has earned the title of “icon.” Forged in the throes of WWII, the Wrangler remains one of the most tenacious vehicles when it comes to off-road driving.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is no exception. It has all the traditional Jeep design cues — shoebox-like shape, 7-slot front grille — and a turbocharged 2.0-liter gas-electric 4-cylinder producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. That whopping amount of torque really gets this Jeep down the road swiftly. In fact, during our time with it, we found the 4xe to be more fun to drive than its non-hybrid siblings.
There are few changes for the 2025 model year, with the exception of a new ’41 Willys model that mimics the iconic WWII Jeep with unique painted wheels and military olive drab paint.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe Highlights
Rubicon models: Every Wrangler comes with 4-wheel drive, solid front and rear axles, underbody skid plates, and much more go-anywhere gear. The Rubicon X adds to this adventurous hardware with a forward-facing off-road camera (available on the Rubicon), a full-time transfer case, front and rear steel bumpers, and rock rails.
Tax credit: The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $3,750; the X5 xDrive50e is not. The tax credit expires at the end of 2025.
Resale value: People love the Jeep Wrangler, which bodes well for resale value. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe should hold onto its value extremely well in the years ahead.
Water-fording seats: Power-adjustable front seats are an available feature, which will be fine if you wish to test your Wrangler’s water-fording maximum of 34 inches. However, we can’t say the same for your shoes or phone.
Read our Jeep Wrangler 4xe Expert Review or see 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models for sale near you.
2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e
2024 model shown
This 2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e rolls into another model year with no noticeable changes. That’s not a bad thing, as the previous year saw plenty of upgrades, including a modest interior and exterior refresh and an improved infotainment system. The X5 hybrid also gained more power and greater electric-only driving range.
As you can imagine, the X5 boasts the supple ride and nicely balanced steering you expect from a vehicle in this price range. Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder that delivers 483 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via a silky-smooth 8-speed automatic transmission.
BMW X5 xDrive50e Highlights
Interior quality: The Jeep Wrangler has a perfectly handsome cabin, but the interior of the X5 is on another level. Standard comfort features include Sensafin synthetic leather, cabin temperature preconditioning, multi-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and heated front seats.
BMW Curved Display: Another feature of the X5 cabin we love is the curved instrument display that spans the top of the dashboard. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster mounted alongside a 14.9-inch infotainment system looks amazing and is excellent to use.
Electric range: The X5 xDrive50e delivers 22 mpg combined and 40 miles of all-electric driving range, considerably more than the Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s 21-mile electric range.
Cargo volume: Once again, the Wrangler is good, but the X5 is slightly better. Behind the split-folding rear seat is 33.1 cubic feet of space versus 27.7 cubic feet in the Jeep.
Read our BMW X5 Expert Review or see 2025 BMW X5 models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe and BMW X5 xDrive50e do a great job balancing outwardly dissimilar tasks — the Jeep is rugged, and the BMW is refined. They provide a handy electric driving range, strong acceleration, superb onboard tech, and ample passenger space.
Conclusion
We think these two are more than worthy of a test drive, though we’re not sure many Jeep fans would be cross-shopping a posh BMW or vice versa.
Keep in mind that scaling up to higher trims in the Jeep Wrangler 4xe nudges its price into what you’d expect for a luxury vehicle.
If you want that classic Jeep look and incredible all-terrain capability, it’s the Wrangler for the win. Should you prefer something more opulent and don’t have rock-crawling drives on your travel agenda, the BMW X5 delivers the goods.
New 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$52,690 |
$48,991 |
|||
$57,430 |
$53,076 |
|||
$59,690 |
$55,440 |
|||
$61,925 |
$57,720 |
|||
$63,390 |
$58,521 |
|||
$66,285 |
$61,306 |
|||
$72,340 |
$67,088 |
New 2025 BMW X5 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$74,975 |
$68,744 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles and New 2025 BMW X5 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe | 2025 BMW X5 xDrive50e | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbo 2.0-liter gas-electric 4-cylinder | Turbo 3.0-liter gas-electric inline 6-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 375 hp @ 5,250 rpm | 483 @ 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 470 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm | 516 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 20 mpg combined/49 MPGe | 22 combined/58 MPGe |
| Also Available | ||
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 118.4 inches | 117.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 188.4 inches | 194.3 inches |
| Width | 73.9 inches | 78.9 inches |
| Height | 73.5 inches | 69.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.8 feet | 41.3 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 42.6 inches | 40.8 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 41.7 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.8 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.2 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.8 inches | 60.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.8 inches | 58.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 27.7 cubic feet | 33.1 cubic feet |
