2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Review

　　

2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Review

byBrent RomansSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　The Wrangler is the original go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle that still has the spirit of the original military Jeep of World War II. In an era when SUVs have become the de facto family vehicle, the Wrangler is a throwback to rougher and more rugged off-road vehicles. It's not as comfortable as rival SUVs such as the Toyota 4Runner or Land Rover Defender, but in return it provides excellent off-road capability, two-door and four-door configurations, and a removable top.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Unlimited Sahara 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded and $0.17 per kWh for electricity in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$167/mo  for Wrangler 4xe Unlimited Sahara

　　Wrangler 4xe Unlimited Sahara

　　Unlimited Sahara 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $51,525 MSRPUnlimited Rubicon 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $55,225 MSRPUnlimited High Altitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $57,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　For 2021, there's also something unexpected: a Wrangler plug-in hybrid. Called the Wrangler 4xe, it has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine plus hybrid components that provide 375 horsepower plus about 21 miles of all-electric range on a fully charged battery. Once you deplete the battery's charge, the 4xe switches over to the gas engine and normal hybrid operation. Plugging in regularly to recharge can help save on gas, but know that the 4xe isn't a fuel miser like a Toyota Prius. In fact, the EPA estimates that in normal hybrid operation the 4xe returns about 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is lower than what you get from most other Wrangler engines.

　　Still, we like that Jeep is at least giving you the option of a hybrid. It also helps the Wrangler stay competitive. In addition to its long-running rival, the Toyota 4Runner, the Wrangler now has to contend with the all-new Ford Bronco, a rough-and-tumble SUV that also offers a removable top and doors for those who enjoy open-air driving. There's also the Land Rover Defender, which takes a more upscale approach to the off-road SUV formula. Which one should you get? Check out the categories of our Wrangler 4xe Expert Rating below to help you decide.

　　

What's it like to live with?

When the redesigned Wrangler was revealed in 2018, we knew we had to have one for our long-term test fleet. We ended up buying a top-of-the-line Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. We tested it for two years and 50,000 miles. While our Wrangler wasn't the 4xe you can still pick up plenty of useful information by reading our long-term Wrangler road test.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Wrangler 4xe drive? The 4xe, with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine augmented with a plug-in hybrid system, boasts 375 hp. That's a significant boost over the Wrangler's base V6 and regular turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Our fully charged test Wrangler Rubicon 4xe accelerated from 0-60 mph in 7 seconds. That's respectable, although the regular four-cylinder Wrangler isn't far behind (7.4 seconds).

　　The extra weight of the 4xe powertrain (our test Wrangler weighed 5,275 pounds) does take a toll on braking performance. In a simulated panic stop from 60 mph, our Rubicon 4xe needed 150 feet to come to a complete stop — that's considerably longer than most SUVs need. Otherwise, the brakes are pretty consistent and easy to use for normal driving.

　　The Wrangler Rubicon's off-road prowess is impressive thanks to its big tires, disconnecting front stabilizer bar and lockable differentials. The 4xe has slightly less departure clearance than a regular Wrangler due to the extra protection needed for the battery, but we think that's a small tradeoff for what you gain.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Wrangler 4xe? The robust construction that gives the Wrangler its ready-for-anything personality also contributes to a rough ride  — especially in the off-road-ready Rubicon trim. The boxy design and large tires create a heap of wind and road noise, especially with the optional power-retractable soft-top. We did notice that the extra weight of the 4xe powertrain helped to settle the Wrangler's ride quality on the highway a little.

　　The Wrangler doesn't place much importance on passenger comfort, but there are a few highlights here. The front seats are well shaped and remain livable on long trips. The rear bench is flatter and firmer, but it reclines a bit. We like the effective climate system, which also features rear air vents.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Because of the Wrangler's high stance, most people will need the grab handles to get inside. Once inside, you'll find the Wrangler Unlimited has a decent amount of passenger space, but it's by no means roomy. Though there are many controls (especially in the Rubicon and its numerous adjustments for off-road driving), the layout is refreshingly intuitive. The slender pillars and square windows greatly reduce blind spots.

　　The driving position is fairly upright, but there's a useful range of adjustment from the seat and steering wheel. Of course, one of the Wrangler's most appealing features is its removable top. You can get a soft top, a hard top or the handy (but expensive) Sky One-Touch power top that allows you to quickly get that open-roof experience.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The 8.4-inch Uconnect system offers sharp graphics and quick responsiveness. There are plenty of easy-to-access charging ports (USB and USB-C), and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is supported. Unfortunately, wireless charging is not available and even the upgraded Alpine audio system is a bit underpowered for our tastes. 

　　Our test vehicle was fitted with the Wrangler's optional driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and rear parking sensors. All the systems worked well in our testing, with no false positives from the collision warning system.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Jeep's narrow body is an off-road strength, but it does limit cargo capacity, compared to competitors like the 4Runner. Even so, the rear seats fold neatly into the floor if you want to carry extra stuff. And there are even six rugged tie-down points and an underfloor compartment. Up front, there aren't many places to store small items, and the door pockets are nothing more than shallow nets.

　　Car seats are easy to fit in the Unlimited so long as they're not too bulky — you might have to move the front seat forward to fit a rear-facing seat. The Wrangler can tow up to 3,500 pounds, which is decent for the class, and can be flat-towed behind a motorhome.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? If you can plug the 4xe in on a regular basis, and you've got a relatively short commute, it can make good sense. The EPA's estimate for EV range with the 4xe is 21 miles before the engine comes to life. We managed to only squeeze 18.7 miles on our best attempt.

　　The Wrangler 4xe's electrical efficiency — how far it can drive per kWh's worth of electricity — is pretty poor, too, or at least compared to other plug-in hybrids. But you also need to temper your expectations given that the Wrangler Rubicon is shaped like a brick and has big knobby tires. 

　　After the electric power runs out, the 4xe is only rated at 20 mpg combined. Ironically, that's worse than almost every engine in the Wrangler lineup with the exception of the V6 with the manual transmission and the V8. On our mixed driving evaluation route, we achieved 20.2 mpg after running out of electricity.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Wrangler 4xe a good value? For the 4xe to be a good value, you'll have to be a very specific buyer. Depending on which trim level you go with, the 4xe powertrain can add more than $10,000 to the price of a Wrangler. Thankfully, the 4xe Wrangler qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit (as well as a number of state and local incentives) though those incentives won't apply to every buyer. The EPA-estimated 21 miles of EV range should be enough for most short commutes, so that will help with the cost of gas.

　　Build quality is, as it is on other Wranglers, distinct and satisfying. Materials are attractive and have a good tactile feel, but the interior here is the same as on other, much less expensive Wranglers. Jeep's warranty coverage and roadside assistance are average.

　　

Wildcard

10.0/10

　　Few vehicles are as distinctive as the Jeep Wrangler. This is one of the few no-compromise off-road vehicles left. Take that and combine it with a powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain and you've got a distinctive vehicle by pretty much every standard.

　　

Which Wrangler 4xe does zzdcar recommend?

Jeep only offers the 4xe powertrain with the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon or Unlimited Sahara. We're partial to the extra capability of the Rubicon, but only if you're actually going to utilize it. Otherwise the Sahara is the better buy.

　　

2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler SUV is available as a two-door or four-door (Unlimited). Both have a removable roof (either a soft top or hardtop) and doors as well as a folding windshield. The two-door is available in three trim levels — Sport, Sport S and Rubicon — while the four-door Wrangler is also available in the more street-tuned Sahara trim. Jeep offers a huge range of additional features and configurations, and it can be confusing to figure out what you're getting. Here's our breakdown:

　　Most Wranglers have part-time four-wheel drive (it works as rear-wheel drive or 4WD) with low-range gearing. A full-time 4WD system is also available.

　　Then there are five (yes, five!) engines to choose from. They include:

　　3.6-liter V6 (285 horsepower, 260 lb-ft). Comes with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Also available with Jeep's eTorque mild hybrid system for improved fuel economy Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (270 hp, 295 lb-ft); automatic transmission only Turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 (260 hp, 442 lb-ft); automatic and four-door only 6.4-liter V8 called the 392 (470 hp, 470 lb-ft); automatic, four-door Rubicon only Plug-in hybrid powertrain called the 4xe (375 hp, 470 lb-ft); automatic and four-door Rubicon and Sahara onlyThe Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain combines the four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic with two integrated electric motor-generators. A hybrid battery pack that you can recharge at home or at a public charging station is mounted underneath the rear seats. The EPA estimates that with a fully charged battery you should be able to drive about 21 miles on all-electric power. After you've depleted the battery, the powertrain switches to normal gasoline-powered hybrid operation.

　　Got all that? OK, here's a rundown of the Wrangler's trim levels:

　　Sport

　　The base Sport trim is relatively bare-bones, though it does include a number of standard features such as:

　　17-inch steel wheels Skid plates Tow hooks Foglights Crank windows Manual door locks 5-inch touchscreen displaySport S

　　Think of this as the base Sport model with a few extra creature comforts, including:

　　Alloy wheels Air conditioning Leather-wrapped steering wheel Power windows and door locks Tinted windowsThere are also a bunch of available subtrim packages for the Sport and Sport S such as Willys, Altitude, 80th Edition, Freedom and Islander. These bundle distinctive cosmetic changes such as different wheels and trim but can also include extra features that would otherwise be optional on the Sport and Sport S.

　　Sahara

　　This midtier trim is only available on the four-door model. Features include:

　　18-inch wheels Full-time 4WD Body-colored grille and fender flares Automatic climate control 7-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integrationJeep offers the Altitude and High Altitude upgrade packages for the Sahara. Similar to the Sport's subtrims, these bundle cosmetic upgrades along with some extra features.

　　Rubicon

　　Named for the 22-mile off-road trail in Northern California, the Rubicon is focused on being the most capable production off-roader available from Jeep. Features include:

　　17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires Heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles with shorter 4.10 gear ratio 4:1 low-range gearing (provides extra traction when off-roading) Electronic locking front and rear differentials (provides extra traction when off-roading) Electronic disconnecting front stabilizer bar (enhances wheel articulation when off-roading) Rock rails (protects underbody when off-roading)Note that the Rubicon 392 is more thoroughly equipped than a regular Rubicon. It has the V8 plus unique Fox shock absorbers, a 2-inch lift, special exterior styling and most of the optional features listed below. It doesn't have the shorter axle ratio and 4:1 low-range gearing of a regular Rubicon, but the V8's extra torque easily compensates.

　　Many optional features are also available as part of the subtrim packages or other bundled packages. With the understanding that not everything is available for every configuration, here are the highlights to look out for:

　　LED headlights Forward-facing camera (to help better spot terrain when off-roading) Trailer towing package Upgraded infotainment system with 8.4-inch touchscreen display Alpine audio system Leather upholstery Heated front seats Sky One-Touch Power Top (combines hardtop sides with a retractable fabric roof-length cover) Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

　　zzdcar Latest Jeep Wrangler 4xe News

　　You Can Now Order a 2-Door Jeep Wrangler With 35-Inch Tires

　　

2021 Wrangler 4xe Highlights

Trim: Unlimited SaharaUnlimited RubiconUnlimited High AltitudeUnlimited Sahara

　　

Base MSRP	$51,525
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Plug-in hybrid
EPA Electric Range	22 miles
Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas)	49 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.
Cost to Drive	$167/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	2.4 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles