The Jeep Wrangler 4xe looks like a Wrangler and apparently has the same off-road chops we’ve come to expect from a Wrangler, but its plug-in hybrid engine makes it stand apart from the rest of the Wrangler lineup.

While Chrysler is touting the Jeep Wrangler 4xe as an environmentally friendly off-road vehicle, having a smaller carbon footprint is not exactly priority number one for most off-roaders. However, the times they are a changing and the folks at Fiat Chrysler don’t want to get left behind.

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“The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the greenest, most efficient and capable Wrangler we have created yet,” said Christian Meunier, Global President of Jeep Brand – FCA. “We are committed to making Jeep the greenest SUV brand, and the new Wrangler 4xe is part of that goal, delivering an efficient, eco-friendly and fun-to-drive experience both on- and off-road.”

For those of you who are interested in a plug-in hybrid version of the trusty Wrangler, you won’t have to wait for long. The Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe and Rubicon 4xe will arrive at North American dealerships in the first quarter of 2021.

Pricing, as you might expect, is a notch above the Wranglers you’ve come to know over the years with the Sahara 4xe starting at $47,995 and the Rubicon starting at $51,695. Softening the financial blow is an available $7500 federal tax credit.

Jeep Wrangler 4xe Powertrain

Jeep Wrangler 4xe powertrain

All Jeep Wrangler 4xe models integrate a pair of electric motors and a 400-volt battery back with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

“This configuration maximizes the efficiency of the hybrid propulsion components and mates them with the Wrangler’s world-renowned and proven driveline,” FCA North America says in a release. “Torque from the electric motors in the Wrangler 4xe’s hybrid powertrain arrives instantly on demand from the driver. The powertrain also delivers fuel-saving, seamless, start-stop operation of the engine.”

As for performance, the Wrangler 4xe powertrain produces a claimed 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, along with an estimated 50 MPGe and a total range of 400 miles.

Wrangler 4xe Powertrain: Key Components

  • 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4
  • Engine-mounted motor generator unit
  • Transmission-mounted motor generator unit integrated into eight-speed automatic transmission (ZF 8P75PH)
  • 400-volt, 17-kWh, 96-cell lithium-ion, nickel manganese cobalt battery pack

Jeep Wrangler 4xe Engine

According to the specs, you can get up to 25 miles of pure electric operation before the internal combustion engine kicks in, which could work well for owners who use the Wrangler 4xe to commute to and from work.

As well, the Wrangler 4xe Selec Modes can tailor the hybrid powertrain to best suit each trip, including daily commutes, longer-distance highway trips, or off-road exploration.

FCA North American has partnered with Amazon to make in-home charging as simple as possible. To get a charging station installed at your home, you just schedule an online appointment with a licensed electrician through Amazon.

Wrangler Sahara and Rubicon 4xe Features

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Interior

Both of the first two Jeep Wrangler 4xe models (Sahara and Rubicon) are far from base model trim. Each offers a laundry list of extras open to early adopters of the new Wrangler plug-in hybrid concept.

Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe Launch Edition

  • 20-inch wheels
  • Leather-trimmed bucket seats
  • LED Lighting Group
  • Uconnect 4C NAV with 8.4-inch display
  • Nine speaker Alpine® audio system with subwoofer and a 552-watt, 12-channel amplifier
  • 2.72:1 Selec-Trac Full-Time 4WD System
  • Dana 44 HD wide axles

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Launch Edition

  • LED Lighting Group
  • Uconnect 4C NAV with 8.4-inch display
  • Nine speaker Alpine® audio system with subwoofer and a 552-watt, 12-channel amplifier
  • 4:1 Rock-Trac Heavy-Duty Full-Time 4WD System

Off-Road Capability

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Rear

Because this is still a Wrangler, it needs to perform off-road. And while all of the specs haven’t been released just yet, FCA North America did offer a few details worth mentioning:

  • Skid plates
  • Front and rear tow hooks
  • Wrangler Rubicon 4xe approach angle of 44 degrees, breakover angle of 22.5 degrees, departure angle of 35.6 degrees and ground clearance of 10.8 inches
  • Aggressive, available, 17-inch, off-road wheels and 33-inch tires standard on Rubicon 4xe; 20-inch wheels standard on Wrangler 4xe and Sahara 4xe
  • Up to 30 inches of water fording

Of course, Mopar will have a host of accessories ready to drop the moment the new Jeep Wrangler 4xe models it dealerships. And the aftermarket won’t be too far behind, so expect a robust selection of parts and accessories to help get your Wrangler 4xe trail ready.