2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

2021 marks the 80th anniversary of the entry into Army service of one of the most iconic vehicle designs ever created. Of course, the Jeep brand didn’t exist then, but anyone through a time portal from a World War II battlefield into 2021 would surely recognize the lineage between a Willys-Overland MB and the new Wrangler 4XE. While the visual DNA is undoubtedly there, this latest Wrangler variant marks the first step into a whole new era for Jeep with the addition of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Just as the Trailhawk badge denotes Jeep models with maximum off-road capabilities, 4xe represents four-wheel-drive Jeeps with the ability to provide all-electric propulsion. The current-generation Wrangler (dubbed JL) debuted in late-2018 with an optional 270-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The 4xe keeps that engine but adds a 100-kW electric motor sandwiched between the engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. The combination yields up to 375-horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, second only to the V8-powered Wrangler 392. 

The 4xe setup is only available with the four-door Wrangler Unlimited and includes a sealed 17.3-kWh lithium-ion battery under the rear seat. The battery can be charged from a standard plug-port on the driver’s side fender just ahead of the mirror in about 2.5-hours. The EPA-rated electric range for a full charge is 22 miles. 

Aside from the electrified powertrain, there isn’t much that differentiates the 4xe from any other Wrangler, except for the blue tow hooks and trim in place of the usual red. It’s available in mid-level Sahara, luxury High Altitude and off-road Rubicon trims. We tested the Rubicon and anyone that has driven the JL Wrangler will find it instantly familiar. The 4WD shift lever to select between rear-drive, 4WD-high and 4WD-low ranges remains to the left of the main transmission shifter. In 4WD-low, the 4XE has the same 77:1 crawl ratio as any other Rubicon. 

The current generation brought an enormous improvement in driving dynamics to the Wrangler from earlier models. While no one would describe it as plush or luxurious, it has lost most of the bounciness of prior iterations when driving on uneven or frost-heaved pavement. The body stays surprisingly level around corners, and you can spend multiple hours at the wheel without getting nauseated. This is important because although Wrangler is one of the preeminent off-road vehicles on the planet, the reality is that most owners will never take their Wranglers further than a gravel road or perhaps a beach. 

When venturing off-road, there are not many places a Wrangler, especially in Rubicon form, can’t go. Unlike the new Ford Bronco, the Wrangler still relies on a manual shift lever to engage 4-high or 4-low; it is quite notchy and takes some effort to move, lending it an air of ruggedness. Once engaged, though, the 4xe may well be the best Jeep for trail crawling. 

As with all electric motors, the extra 181 pound-feet of torque is on call from zero rpm, making it ideal for low-speed off-road maneuvering like ascending steep, rocky hills or traversing over boulders. In addition, the front sway bar disconnect switch on the center stack allows for some extra wheel articulation to help keep wheels in contact with the ground while locking differentials ensure that torque gets applied to whichever wheels can get purchase. 

Like all Wranglers, the 4XE is highly modular; doors and roof can be removed for an open-air feel on the trail. Engaging electric mode with the doors off or the windows down is an interesting experience, with the sound of the tires on the road or trail being all you hear at lower speeds. As speeds climb above about 30 mph with the doors off, the cabin does get very windy and turbulent as the air rushes around that flat windshield; but that’s true of its gasoline-powered counterparts as well. 

Jeep is also partnering with Electrify America to install solar-powered chargers at the trailheads of popular off-road locations, including Moab, Big Bear and the Rubicon Trail. As a result, Jeep 4xe models can top off the battery and do most if not all of these trails emissions-free. 

When the battery has drained, the 4xe works as a conventional hybrid with a combined EPA rating of 20 mpg. Plugging it in each night and doing most of the work on electricity, I averaged 27 mpg. 

The Wrangler 4xe starts at $52,520, including delivery for the Sahara. I tested the loaded Rubicon, costing $65,890, including the Sky one-touch power top. Wrangler 4xe customers are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for buying a plug-in vehicle. Various states have incentives on top of that, which brings the price down significantly.