The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe blends plug-in hybrid fuel economy and EV driving range into one of the toughest all-terrain SUVs available today. Jeep’s long-running Wrangler is known for being tenacious when paved roads come to an end. While many owners might purchase a Wrangler simply for its go-anywhere image and style, the 4xe proves Jeep’s adventure-loving SUV is capable of changing with the times, too.
Powering the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and two electric motors that send a total of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. While 4-wheel drive (4WD) is standard on every Wrangler, the Rubicon trim features a full-time 4WD system that’s toughened up for harder use.
Also fitted to all versions of the 4xe is an 8-speed automatic transmission — a 6-speed manual can be had in the Wrangler, just not with the plug-in hybrid engine.
With the exception of the similarly new-for-2021 Wrangler 392, which is powered by a Hemi V8, the 4xe is one of the quickest of the entire Wrangler lineup. Despite coming only in the larger 4-door Unlimited format, the 4xe needs only 6 seconds to run from 0 to 60 mph. The top speed, if you’re feeling racy, is 124 mph.
Probably of more use to most Jeep shoppers is the 21 miles of electric-only driving range provided in the 4xe. The lithium-ion battery pack, located beneath the second-row seat cushion, can be recharged in approximately 12 hours when using a regular household outlet. This is slashed to only 2 hours if a Level 2 charging station is used.
Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Price and Details
All three 4xe trims — Sahara, Rubicon, and High Altitude — are offered solely in 4-door Unlimited format. Expect to pay $53,505, excluding destination charges, for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe. This is several thousand dollars pricier than the base Sahara 4xe and significantly more than the sub-$30,000 price tag of a bare-bones Wrangler in 2-door format.
Keep in mind, however, the Rubicon 4xe comes with many features that Jeep buyers would option into their SUV. This includes front and rear locking differentials, larger all-terrain tires, rock rails, stronger transfer case, underbody skid plates, electronic sway bar (with push-button disconnect), plus front and rear tow hooks. On the Rubicon 4xe, these happen to be painted blue.
Similar blue-tinted touches include a black hood decal with Surf Blue accenting around it, along with blue stitching used in the interior.
Dimensions
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe is the same size as the regular Wrangler Unlimited. Stretching 188.4 inches long and riding on a 118.4-inch wheelbase, the Rubicon 4xe has seating for five onboard. In terms of everyday practicality, the Unlimited is far more user-friendly than the 2-door Wrangler.
The second row is roomier and easier to access, and the 31.7 cubic feet of room behind the second row is more than double the capacity of the 2-door Wrangler. Cargo space expands to more than 72 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Engine
The Rubicon 4xe is motivated by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery positioned beneath the rear seats. An 8-speed automatic transmission and 4WD are standard.
Three driver-selectable driving modes allow the 4xe to run in hybrid format, using the gas engine and battery power, full electric mode (for 21 miles), and what Jeep calls eSave mode. This prevents the battery from kicking into action, allowing the driver to save the extra power for when it’s most needed.
While the EV range of the Rubicon 4xe is a plus, it’s worth noting the mileage of the 4xe is less than what you get with the standard 3.6-liter V6. The 4xe registers a combined city/highway average of 20 mpg, versus 21 mpg in the V6-powered Wrangler Unlimited.
The blame falls partly on the added weight of the 4xe’s battery pack. The 4xe also has a smaller fuel tank than other Jeep variants. This limits the total driving range to an EPA-estimated 370 miles, versus around 450 miles of range offered in most Wranglers.
Tires
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe comes standard with 17-inch aluminum wheels fitted with LT285/70SR17C BSW all-terrain tires.
Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Standard and Optional Features
The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe rides on 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 33-inch all-terrain tires. A total of 11 different exterior colors are available and, like all Wranglers, the roof and doors are removable and the windshield can be folded flat.
Standard features on the Rubicon 4xe include an 8.4-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi hot spot, automatic climate control, LED lighting, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
There is also a long lineup of rock-crawling hardware, such as locking front and rear differentials, full-time 4WD, electronic sway bar disconnect, Dana 44 front and rear axles, gas-charged monotube shocks, and rock rails. If you intend to do some serious off-road driving, the Rubicon is the ideal Wrangler trim.
When it comes to safety, the Rubicon 4xe comes standard with only a rearview camera. Additional safety features — such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking — are available as part of two safety packages.
Rubicon 4xe Tech Features
- 4:1 Rock-Trac full-time 4WD system
- Dana 44 solid front and rear axles
- Gas-charged monotube shocks
- Driver selectable E-Selec drive modes: Hybrid, Electric, eSave (turns off battery power for later use)
- 33-inch all-terrain tires
- Available remote start
- Rock rails
- Available automatic emergency braking
- Available blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
Entertainment Features
- 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Alpine 9-speaker stereo
- Satellite radio
- HD Radio
- Wi-Fi hot spot
Interior Features
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Ambient LED interior lighting
- Cloth seats
- Available leather seats
- Vinyl wrapped dashboard, door panels, and center console
- Beverage holders, 4 total
- Overhead console with front map light
- Manual tilt and telescoping steering column
- Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors (driver and front passenger)
- 115-volt auxiliary power outlet
- 12-volt power outlet
- 12-volt rear auxiliary power outlet
- Front row: Center floor console armrest, glove box, mesh door pockets
- Front row window controls: One-touch up and down feature
- Available heated steering wheel
Exterior Features
- Standard soft top
- Available body-color hardtop
- Available black-colored hardtop
- Dual soft and hardtop
- Available Sky One-Touch power soft top
- Available front and rear steel bumpers
- Removable doors and top
- Foldable windshield
- Underbody skid plates
- LED headlights and taillights
- LED fog lamps
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 11 available exterior colors
Rubicon 4xe Seats
- Cloth seats
- Available leather seating
- Available heated front seats
- 6-way manual driver seat
- 4-way manual front passenger seat
- Driver seat height adjuster
- Second-row 60/40 split-folding seatback
Rubicon 4xe Optional Features
- Trailer Tow and Heavy-Duty Electric Group, includes 700-amp battery, Class II receiver hitch, 7- and 4-pin wiring harness auxiliary switches
- Black or chrome tubular side steps
- Integrated off-road camera
- Dual door group with base or premium uppers
- Hinge-gate reinforcement
Rubicon 4xe Optional Packages
- Safety Group
- Advanced Safety Group
- Cold Weather Group
- Smoker’s Group
Wrangler Rubicon 4xe Tire Size and Options
The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe comes standard with 17-inch aluminum wheels fitted with LT285/70SR17C BSW all-terrain tires.
