It’s an exciting era for off-roaders. In between news of a new 4Runner and the return of the Ford Bronco, the Wrangler has its most serious competition in years, and not just in capability but in style too. Ford’s been upping its game with special editions like the Bronco Free Wheeling Appearance Package, to the point where Jeep had to come up with something special to compete. This is the Wrangler 4xe Willys ’41 Edition and man, did Jeep ever try hard with this one.
It all starts with a Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid, which is the right move for the times. After all, the Wrangler is historically an inefficient vehicle, so being able to go even 21 miles on electric range alone is a huge plus that the Ford Bronco can’t currently match. With a short enough commute, you can plug in at home overnight, use no gas to get to work, and still have all the off-road hardware you want to hit the trail on the weekend.
From there, the Willys ’41 Edition adds a certain retro edge that the Wrangler 4xe was arguably losing a bit. Look, it’s amazing that you can now get a Wrangler with paint-matched plastics and an electric sliding roof and quilted leather seats because that attracts a whole new audience to one of America’s most beloved vehicles. However, you still have diehards who love the heritage of Jeep, and this special edition absolutely does that damn thing.
Olive drab paint recalls the military GPWs of World War II, and the tan soft top looks proper, but the big story here is the wheel design. Not only are they color-matched to the paintwork, a magnificent treatment we just don’t see enough of these days, they’re chunky, flat-faced, truly unique alloy wheels that carry a dollop of stamped steel influence without coming across as carbon copies of steel wheels. Wrapping them in 235/70R17 BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires is icing on the cake, because this has to be one of the best-looking wheel and tire packages to come on a Wrangler in ages. Oh, and while we’re on the subject of traction, a locking rear differential is a handy thing to have.
Moving inside, textiles are a great way to spice up the interior of a vehicle, and the tan interior was the right choice here. A Wrangler’s already a pretty airy thing with the roof and/or doors off, but lighter upholstery ought to help further, and rugged cloth is so much warmer and wear-resistant than leather. Speaking of cloth, a splash of olive drab fabric across the dashboard brings a little bit of the exterior in.
If there’s a downside to the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys ’41 Special Edition, it’s that it isn’t cheap. This thing starts at $61,825 including freight, which is more than a Wrangler 4xe Sahara. However, it might just be the most compelling Wrangler on sale for 2025. It’s a Jeep thing, and I totally understand.
(Photo credits: Jeep)
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Can’t wait to see it catch on fire.
Jeez, if FDR had to pay that much for a Jeep, we’d be shprechening Deutch.
Isn’t this still under a recall?
I feel like if this was more like $45k, I’d be interested. Assuming they figured out the issues with the 4xe system I’ve seen discussed here. And the rust/corrosion issue.
Those wheels need to find their way onto other trim levels, they’d pair so well with the suite of colors the wrangler has.
Its pretty hot… because the battery is gonna burst into flames.
That is a great looking package. Have they sorted out the dissimilar materials corrosion issue?
Haha jeep figuring out corrosion issues. Now that is funny