Jeep Wrangler goes green
The iconic Jeep Wrangler, the go-anywhere 4x4 that was born in 1941 as a U.S. military vehicle, has enlisted into today’s growing army of hybrids.
Amazingly, there’s a Wrangler that can be plugged in, yet climb rocks and crawl down lumpy dirt trails and do it as quietly as the nature surrounding it.
The 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe (that’s 4-by-e) is the first plug-in hybrid Wrangler and it’s likely to raise some eyebrows. First, is this thing really Jeep-rugged? And, second, is the 4xe a worthy hybrid?
First, yes, this is a serious off-roader. It has plenty of power with a combined output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Few trails are too rough for its multiple
4x4 systems, 11 inches of ground clearance, steel bumpers, skid plates and locking front and rear differentials. It can even wade through 30 inches of water, Jeep says.
In answer to question No. 2, it gets 49 mpg-e (“e” for equivalent) on electric, but just 20 mpg when operating on gas only. So you’ll need to plug in every night for optimum mileage, and it’s a mere 21 miles of electric-only range.
On the plus side, the 4xe is not restricted to electric
Base Price: $51,695
As tested: $61,690 (Includes leather seats, $1,695; Cold Weather group, $595; Trailer two package, $795; Safety and Advanced Safety groups, $1,690; steel bumpers, $1,745; remote key, $645; premium Sunrider soft top, $595)
Powertrain: Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine mated to two electric motors and an 8-speed automatic transmission
Fuel economy: 49 mpg-e on electric; 20 mpg combined on gas only
so it has a total driving range of 370 miles.
It also is the quickest of the Wranglers, hitting 60 mph in just 6 seconds. Under the hood: a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine good for 270 hp. It’s matched with two electric motors; The combined power is routed through an 8-speed automatic transmission. On the road, the 4xe feels like any other Wrangler, for better or worse. The 4xe can tow up to 3,500 pounds with a tow/electric package.
The e-save button allows it to run on gas-only until you get to the trail, then run quietly on electric. It won’t last long on 4WD and in off-road conditions, but it may be enough for short commutes. Expect weaker performance with only
134 hp to move the 5,300pound beast. Charging the 17-kwh lithium ion battery pack takes about 12 hours with the standard 120v charger. Wrangler is roomy inside and has great visibility. Audio and climate controls are water-resistant. All-weather floor mats are ready for mess, too, so the cabin can be hosed down.
The four-door Unlimited seats five. Front seats are comfortable, supportive and trimmed in leather.
The instrument panel has two analog dials for the speedo and tach that flank a digital information display. An 8.4-inch infotainment screen houses Jeep’s Uconnect system.
Navigation can find the trails and a forward-facing camera peers ahead for the obstacles. Cargo space is more than ample with the Unlimited Wranglers: 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.4 cubes with the rear seats folded down.
The 4xe has all the safety features of other four-door Wranglers but advanced driver-assist features are optional and part of two safety groups.
The 4xe comes in three trims: the Rubicon around $60K, the Sahara around $51K and the High Altitude around $57K.
2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4xe