UK misses out on Jeep Wrangler 4xe... fancy a hybrid Avenger instead?

Jeep has opened its order books for the Wrangler 4xe in Europe, but the bad news is the off-roading plug-in hybrid isn’t coming to Blighty. Boo. Instead, we have to make do with a hybrid version of the Avenger.

Back in April, we detailed how the Wrangler had been facelifted for 2024. That new-look model has now brought fresh styling and improved cabin tech over to Europe and the UK, but merely in petrol-only form. What gives?

Turns out it’s all to do with left-hand drive production, and Jeep has decided it isn't worth its while making Wrangler 4xes in RHD. Sigh. Okaaaaay....

That's a shame because the hybridised Wrangler - which couples a 2.0-litre turbo I-4 with two motors, generating 360bhp and 470lb ft - has been well received across the pond.

A 17kWh battery – good for almost 32 miles of pure electric driving – sits under the back seats. By taking advantage of all that lovely regen braking, we get to the crux of the Wrangler 4xe’s appeal: improved fuel economy. Not to mention all that EV torque when the terrain gets mucky...

Here in the UK, mind, we do now get the Avenger e-Hybrid, albeit without the plug. That combines a 1.2-litre engine with a 21kW electric motor (and all the other hybrid gubbins) mated to a six-speed auto ‘box. Jeep reckons it'll trim CO2 emissions by 15 per cent.

While we might have preferred a whole 32 miles of pure electric driving (cough, ahem), we can’t deny that an Open-Air Sky Roof and massaging driver seat in the Avenger sound like good fun indeed.

Speaking of fun, there's also a limited-edition, petrol-only Avenger Altitude Plus coming here in December. The 1.2-litre turbo has a manual gearbox and is capable of 99bhp and 151lb ft – that'll brighten the daily commute, for sure.

The cabin has also been kitted out with extra gadgets too, with a JBL premium audio suite, heated seats, velour carpet mats (ooh, er) and driver assist features like blind spot monitoring and automatic high beam.

Prices are all to be confirmed, though until now you've only had the fully electric variant to choose from at £35,700 and up. Does the prospect of a manual Avenger make up for the lack of hybrid Wrangler?