2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Plug-In Hybrid Road Test and Review

2021JeepWrangler4xeFrontQuarterView

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, pronounced “four by e,” is the first plug-in hybrid to join the Wrangler lineup. Already known as one of the most capable vehicles you can buy, the Wrangler now adds the fuel efficiency of hybrid technology to its list of attributes. While fuel efficiency is one of the big perks to driving a hybrid, the bonus is its reduced environmental impact and the ability to run silently in electric mode for a unique off-road experience.

Wrangler owners tend to spend a lot of time outdoors, so being able to enjoy outdoor exploration while being more environmentally responsible holds lots of appeal. Jeep is even installing charging stations at trailheads across the country to make it easy to charge. Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe to see if this plug-in hybrid is the right choice for your off-road adventures.

Three Four-Door Trims Available

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is available only as a four-door in a range of three trims. The Sahara 4xe starts at $47,995 with standard features including 20-inch wheels, leather trimmed seats, LED lighting, Uconnect infotainment with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, 9-speaker Alpine audio system, Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel drive, and Dana 44 heavy-duty wide axles. The Rubicon 4xe is priced from $51,940 and improves off-road capability with heavy-duty Rock-Track four-wheel drive and 33-inch wheel with off-road tires. It also has blue tow hooks, Surf Blue interior accent stitching, a unique hood decal, and a premium instrument panel.

At the top of the lineup is the High Altitude 4xe with pricing of $53,815. This trim adds leather-trimmed quilted seats, a body-color Freedom Top hardtop, blind spot monitoring system, and caramel interior-accent stitching. The 4xe has a narrower trim range than Wranglers with gas powertrains, but these three trims offer a good mix of luxury and capability.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

A Responsive Hybrid Powertrain

Power for the Jeep Wrangler 4xe lineup comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and two electric motors with a 400-volt, 17kWh battery pack. It delivers 375 horsepower with 470 lb-ft of torque and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is a responsive powertrain with ample horsepower to get the Wrangler up to speed and the instant torque of a hybrid system. Its 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds makes for a sportier drive than gas-powered Wranglers.

The battery is housed beneath the rear seats, which flip up for easy access, and is fully protected from the elements. A choice of drive modes through the E Selec system let you to decide how to use that hybrid battery. There’s a hybrid mode for using gas and electric power as needed, electric mode to use only the battery until it depletes, and eSave, which uses only the gas engine.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Hybrid Fuel Efficiency

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe gets an EPA-estimated 49 mpge, which is its combined gas and electric fuel economy. Combined EPA-estimated fuel economy for four-door Wranglers with the gas powertrain is up to 22 mpg or 25 mpg with diesel, so that hybrid powertrain makes a big difference in fuel costs.

It has an estimated all-electric range of 21 miles and a total range of 400 miles, so you can easily head out to enjoy a day of off-roading without having to worry about running out of fuel. To make charging easier off road, Jeep is installing a network of Jeep-branded Level 2 charging stations at trailheads across the country. They’ll either be connected to a power grid or will utilize solar energy, depending on the location. Level 2 charging stations can fully charge a Wrangler 4xe in about two hours and are free to use for Jeep owners.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

All the Capability of a Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is focused on hybrid fuel-efficiency, but not at the expense of off-road capability. Standard features include four-wheel drive, two front and one rear tow hook, skid plates for the fuel tank, transfer case, and transmission, and all-season tires. There’s ground clearance of 10.1 inches, and the Wrangler 4xe can ford water up to 30 inches of water. The Rubicon takes it further with 10.8 inches of ground clearance and a more robust four-wheel-drive system.

We drove the Wrangler 4xe off-road and were impressed by its capabilities. It easily managed rugged terrain, as you’d expect from a Wrangler, but what you won’t expect is the immersive outdoor experience of not hearing an engine when the 4xe is in electric mode. Animals in the brush, birds, water flowing nearby — you hear it all, and it adds a whole new element to off-roading in a Wrangler.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

A Comfortable Ride With Confident Handling

The Wrangler is at its best when you're off-roading, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good on pavement, too. This generation of the Wrangler made big improvements in overall ride quality so it’s smoother and quieter. You’ll know you’re in a vehicle that has a removable top even when it’s firmly in place, much like riding in a convertible, but the noise is never intrusive or jarring.

Rubicons offer a bit more bounce on the road, especially over rough pavement, but that’s the trade-off for the added capability of this trim. Still, it’s an easy vehicle to drive that is comfortable over long trips and won’t wear on the driver or passengers. Although the 4xe is heavier due to the battery and hybrid components, it doesn’t detract from handling or make the 4xe in any way unwieldy. It’s a joy to drive on and off the road. 

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Off-Road Ready Interior

The limited range of Wrangler 4xe trims cuts the base versions of the Wrangler from the lineup. Although that means the 4xe starts at a higher price point, you’re getting a well-appointed interior no matter which one you choose. Standard features include seating for five with leather-trimmed seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, illuminated cupholders, automatic climate control, power windows, a full-length floor console, and a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat.

It’s a comfortable space that’s also durable enough to stand up to the rigors of off-roading, potentially without doors or a roof. Feel free to splash mud and dirt all over the place. Jeep designed the Wrangler to handle the abuse. It’s attractive with quality materials, but with a sense of toughness. Knobs are large and easy to grip, and storage cubbies abound so you can easily secure your belongings rather than having them bounce free.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Stay Connected With Uconnect Infotainment

Standard infotainment includes Uconnect 4C with navigation and an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD radio, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, and a 9-speaker Alpine audio system are also standard. Even if you go with the base Sahara trim for the 4xe, you’re getting a fully featured infotainment system and a premium audio experience. There are also off-road info pages to make navigating off-road terrain easier.

Uconnect is easily one of the most intuitive systems available. The menus are well organized with easily understood icons that make it quick to find what you need rather than causing frustration. Even passengers unfamiliar with how it works will find learning Uconnect an easy proposition. Our one quibble is the screen size. A larger screen would be easier to use, and it would make navigation easier to follow, especially while driving through more urban environments.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Limited Range of Safety Features

Standard safety features on the Jeep Wrangler 4xe include daytime running lights, electronic roll mitigation, electronic stability control, traction control, trailer sway damping, and hill-start assist. Additional features become standard only on the High Altitude. These include blind-spot and cross-path detection and ParkSense rear park assist.

The High Altitude is the only trim that offers the Advanced Safety Group, which is $795. This adds adaptive cruise control with stop, advanced brake-assist, automatic high beams, and full-speed forward collision warning plus. It’s a somewhat limited list of safety features and does force you toward the High Altitude package for the best range of options.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Final Thoughts

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe adds a plug-in hybrid to the Wrangler lineup. It has the efficiency of a plug-in with an EPA-estimated 49 mpge and a growing network of Jeep Level 2 charging stations at popular trailheads. But what is most compelling about the 4xe is the way it lets you experience off-road driving in a whole new way.

Every Wrangler lets you feel the wind in your face and the sun on your skin. It’s that open-air experience combined with exceptional capability that has made the Wrangler an off-road favorite. The 4xe adds a new element to the mix by letting you hear the world around you. Whether it’s chirping birds, the click of a grasshopper’s wings, or the sound of crickets hiding in the grass, the silence of the 4xe running in electric mode offers a connection with the outdoors that is not to be missed.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin