At one point, it looked like Jeep will be one of the last automakers to adopt electrification, but the company has started taking steps towards it. Jeep unveiled the Wrangler 4xe, its third hybrid vehicle that joins the Renegade 4xe and Compass 4xe. Since this is a hybrid addition, it features a lot of changes under the hood, but things are pretty much the same on the inside and the outside. With the addition of two motors that bring in extra horses and torque, will the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe perform better than its pure internal-combustion engined avatar?

What’s Different Under The Hood?

The powertrain produces 375 ponies and 470 pound-feet of torque combined. This makes it the most powerful engine option on the Wrangler. Power is sent to all the wheels through the familiar eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. A transmission-mounted motor-generator is also integrated onto it. A 400-volt battery pack is present as well that helps the Wrangler 4xe achieve a range of 25 miles on pure electric mode. Instead of making use of the conventional 12-volt starter motor, the Wrangler 4xe is equipped with a 12-volt battery to run accessories.

Drive Modes and Regenerative Braking

The Wrangler 4xe comes with three drive modes – Hybrid, Electric, and eSave. The Hybrid mode makes use of power from the batteries as well as the engine, although it draws power from the batteries first. The Electric mode makes use of only the batteries until it runs out of charge. As for the eSave, it allows you to drive on the gasoline engine and save the battery charge/mile-range for later.

Jeep also offers regenerative braking on the Wrangler 4xe. When the 4x4 is engaged, all four wheels feed torque for regenerative braking, thus maximizing the energy recovery. Then there’s also a Max Regen feature that is the most aggressive mode and maximizes regenerative energy production.

How Many Models Are On Offer?

All the models wear the coveted ‘Trail Rated’ badge.

The 4xe is the base trim and will come with Selec-Speed Control with Hill-ascent and Hill-descent Control. The Sahara 4xe, on the other hand, receives additional equipment, such as:

-* Full-time 4x4 systems

-* Front and rear next-gen Dana 44 axles

-* Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio

The Rubicon 4xe further benefits from exclusive goodies, such as:

-* Full-time four-wheel-drive

-* Rock-Trac 4x4 system

-* Two-speed transfer case with a 4:1 low-range gear ratio

-* Tru-Lok electric front- and rear-axle lockers

-* Front and rear next-generation Dana 44 axles

-* Crawl ratio of 77.2:1

-* Electronic sway-bar disconnect

What’s Different On The Outside and Inside?

The Jeep and the Trail Rated badge are blue, and so are the tow hooks on the Rubicon trims. The black hood decal is outlined in the special color with “4xe” and it lets the body color show through. Select Easter egg design cues on this Wrangler are also finished in an electric blue shade. Skid plates and front and rear tow hooks are standard.

Jeep has listed the angles and ground clearance of the Rubicon 4xe:

The Rubicon 4xe rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch tires as standard, whereas the 4xe and Sahara 4xe will come with 20-inch wheels. The Wrangler 4xe will be offered in 10 exterior shades:

-* Black

-* Bright White

-* Firecracker Red

-* Granite Crystal Metallic

-* Hella Yella,

-* Sting-Gray

-* Snazzberry

-* Sarge

-* Billet Silver Metallic

-* Hydro Blue (late availability)

On the inside, there’s nothing different apart from unique Electric Blue stitching on the seats and trim, that too on the Rubicon 4xe. Two interior themes, however, are available on the 4xe - Black with Heritage Tan cloth and Black with Dark Saddle leather.

Final Thoughts

Jeep Wrangler 4xe models will be available in Europe, China, and the U.S. by early 2021. The automaker hasn’t announced the pricing yet. All the Jeep Performance Parts from Mopar will be available for the Wrangler 4xe when it arrives at the dealerships.