The electrified Wrangler is just as capable in the dirt and on the rocks as its gasoline-only counterpart.

Now, before '80s guy starts making Prius jokes, pump the brakes. The 2021 Wrangler 4xe adopts an eco-friendly powertrain and thereby endorses the preservation of the very environments that helped the Jeep brand claim its fame. The Jeep Wrangler exchanges its famed 4x4 badges for ones that read 4xe with the introduction of its first-ever plug-in-hybrid model. Jeep hasn't said how much the Wrangler 4xe will cost, but we're told it'll go on sale early next year.

Along with a combined 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, its gasoline-electric powertrain has 25 miles of all-electric range and an estimated 50 MPGe.The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a plug-in-hybrid model that still preserves the iconic nameplate's awesome off-road capability.Of course, that meant the occasional thunks or scrapes from the undercarriage when exploring the limits of the 4xe's 10.8-inch ground clearance and 22.5-degree breakover angle were also much more pronounced. As much as I love the sound of a powerful ICE, hearing the scrub of the tires over the terrain added an unexpected dimension to the crawling experience and I particularly enjoyed being able to more easily hear my spotters' commands and the nature surrounding the trail. Perhaps the most enjoyably odd part of the 4xe off-road experience was just how absolutely and strangely silent the powertrain was even when hauling itself out of the mud and up ridiculously steep climbs. Creeping along was made easier with the latest generation Selec-Speed Control smoothing out hill ascents and descents, but the throttle was remarkably sensitive and easy to modulate even without it. And while the 4xe's PHEV hardware adds quite a bit of weight to the Wrangler's package - about 770 pounds more than a comparably equipped Rubicon V6 - the battery's position actually improves weight distribution, shifting quite close to a 50:50 split depending on trim and lowering the center of mass slightly, for a more planted feel even at severe angles. With its impressive 77.2:1 crawl ratio and gobs of electric torque on tap, the Rubicon 4xe made easy work of some pretty severe climbs up solid, smooth rock faces. The high-voltage powertrain and battery are waterproof and protected from the elements. But of course, there are bigger changes hidden beneath the surface. To the casual observer, the 4xe doesn't look very different, especially when bathed in a healthy coat of mud. The blue theme also extends to the Trail Rated badges and other graphics across the boxy body.

If anything, it's better than ever.Įlectric Blue tow hooks at the front and rear visually differentiate the 4xe from more conventional Wranglers, perhaps more so than the subtle charging port mounted high on the front driver's side fender. But electrification also hasn't cost the 4xe seemingly any of the off-road capability or performance that we've come to expect from the Wrangler and it's Trail Rated badge. Into a smarm-powered eco-car the improvements aren't even that great when you look at the numbers. No, a big battery hasn't magically transformed the 4xe plug-in hybrid is the brand's biggest step yet into the realm of electrified driving, offering up to 21 miles of electric range per charge.

Jeep hybrid