2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEV: Test Drive Review 

Nobody reviews EV/hybrid vehicles better than Sam. I’m completely sincere. His explanations and impressions are on point. I look forward to seeing more of these in the future.

We have one and love it. We bought it in September and still have over half a tank of the original tank of gas. We drove about 1700miles already. With my wife’s driving style we will get about 4,000 miles on a tank.

I have one. Rubicon, and it was 75K OTD. I'm only a month into it, and have about 300 miles on it. I'm getting about 31.5 mpge. I'm one of those that Sam mentioned, most my trips are under 30 miles. Plug in when I get home. I'm still running on the dealer issued tank, it's as I write this about 7/8's full. I use the full range of goodies when I hunt and fish in my trips into the Rockies which I can see from my back deck. I don't think Jeep could squeeze a bigger engine in the compartment with all the other electrical things that make it a PHEV. I think this is a good start for Jeep, and whether or not you like it, EV's are coming. I happen to think hybrids are the best of both worlds. On demand massive torque and ICE for the long haul. Five years from now, the battery range will likely double. This is a good start from Jeep. Regardless of which side of the fence you sit, gas will be five dollars or more a gallon before this adminstration is through. This PHEV can take the sting out of the pump, depending on your particular situation. I would not recommend it if your commute is over 25 miles a day.

What a fantastic review! Love it. One thing I noticed; This isn’t a Sahara, it’s a High Altitude. I know the High Altitude is technically a dressed up Sahara but the standard Sahara has black tow hooks and the High Altitude has painted bumpers and the nicer seats. Between the Sahara, Rubicon and High Altitude trims in the 4XE, the High Altitude is the most expensive. I’m curious about the fuel economy you were seeing. I’ve had my Sahara since March and I was seeing 24MPG on the stock wheels. I took a hit on fuel economy when I swapped out for a set of Rubicon takeoffs but many Sahara and High Altitude owners in the Jeep 4XE Fans group report that the are getting 23-25MPG.

Most honest reviewer on the net.

Good review. To be fair to the 4xe, there are a lot of drivers that go 25 miles per less per typical trip. If you live in a rural area and you are driving long distances regularly, this definitely isn’t a good idea. If you are a suburban or urban owner and can charge at home then it makes more sense. The one thing I don’t like is that Jeep makes you choose between the all-out off-roading Rubicon 4xe spec or the Sahara 4xe with the bling wheels and tires that can barely handle dirt. It would be nice to have something like the Willys package with the 4xe drivetrain.

So for those like me when retired in big snow country and less than 10 miles from town including groceries, pizza and beer joints, Ace hardware, (x) lumber store, hospital, lakes, trout streams, rec. trails, ski hill, and golf courses, where a heavy Jeep can also plow snow quite well and also drive just fine in any blizzard, it will be perfect with that 20 mile All-Electric range. In other words, all Yoopers and everyone else who lives in the 'north-woods' needs one of these - especially when retired. Other than that, maybe not so much?

Putting 20" wheels on a wrangler should be a felony offense!

Your channel is very good. You should have way more views!

Even though he has the wrong model, not a Sahara, I enjoyed his style. Reminds me of “nothing to prove” channel who does motorcycle tests

Nice review. That slot between the cup holders isn’t for a cell phone. It’s for the big key fob. It sticks right in there and doesn’t move.

Nice, honest review.

Pretty good review. I have had one for 6 months now and have 17k miles on it already. My overall mpge is 26 right now. I charge once nightly and drive around 150 miles 5-6 days a week. Your driving habits make a huge difference in your fuel economy on this vehicle. If I’m driving 75mph I get terrible gas mileage so I have to dial it back to about 68 and feather the accelerator to keep it around the 25mpg mark. I normally get around 25 of those miles in electric and that helps too. Price to fill my battery in energy consumption is around $1.50 us. I’m happy overall so far and never expected Prius efficiency. Side note: they are $6k more but the government gives you $7.5k in tax incentives making it actually cheaper. Word is that incentive May go up to $12k soon too

For my daily round trip commute of 18 miles and a 50amp 240v plug in the garage, this would be a great option.

I just bought a 4xe Rubicon and have had it about one month - it is my daily driver. I have access to a level two charger at home and at work, which is a 60 mile, round trip commute for me. I am getting about 25 miles on a charge in my area's cold winter weather so it will likely be better in the spring or summer months from what I have read. I was hesitant on getting this vehicle for all the reasons mentioned in this review - extra weight, less than ideal gas mileage etc. But honestly, as any Jeep Wrangler owner will attest - we bought a brick to drive through the wind (EV or Gas Powered) so gas mileage was not a top priority :) I have only filled my tank up twice in a month since I have owned this vehicle and with my first tank of gas, I got a little over over 500 miles on my 16 gallon gas tank, half of those miles were on electric power. Admittedly, I will likely opt for a more conformable and cost effective sedan drive (husbands car) on long road trips. I think the assessment of many comments here are realized for me. I think it really depends on 1) what you want in a vehicle and 2) access and opportunity to charge the vehicle. If you do not have access to a level 2 charger at least at home, this is not the vehicle for you - but I would argue, no EV is the vehicle for you. In a few years the 25 mile range is going to be laughable, but for the time being, I am enjoying my awesome new wheels, Jeep Waves and Ducks that have mysteriously appeared on my vehicle. Happy Jeeping!

Exactly why I got mine. I drive 5 miles to work and back. I've had it a month and still haven't put gas in it. especially with gas over 4 dollars a gallon this hybrid works great for me. Now if i was driving more then 20 miles a day wouldnt be as cost effective. so all in all I love mine.

honest and fair BUT the "logic" of having one is completely based on how you drive and use it. ( to be fair he did say that) For me.. I am the daily driver that does under 30 miles a day and will be off road once or twice a year. Perfect wrangler for me. If you do several long trips it does not make much sense but ...for others like me A solid 10. Just wanted to emphasize the how you drive is what makes the difference.

Hi! Great video. Just got my 2021 Sahara 4xe in white, but my front/back tow hooks aren’t blue 😩 do you know why? (I also have Sky one touch, leather)

Um... That's a High Altitude, not a Sahara. Not really something to overlook. Also, the EV tax incentives don't seem to be taken into account when considering the price comparison. If you factor in the actual price per mile for fuel, including the 20ish free miles and difference between gas and diesel prices - it's a better deal. Especially when you have to also consider DEF for the diesel. Yes, your performance is going to be 'squirrelly' off road at higher speeds when you have 20s that aren't even aired down. Basically, you're driving a "Mall Crawler" off road. You'll get mall crawler luxury but mall crawler performance. Try that washboard with the Rubicon 4XE aired down a third!

This is the best review as compared to all other reviews. He literally goes over every single factor a driver or prospective purchaser wants to hear and needs to hear to make an educated decision. Thank you my good Sir.

I really appreciate your honesty! Thanks for an honest review! ✅🏆⭐️🆗🆒😊

This is the High Altitude package right?

Pretty sure this is a 2022… the blue tow hooks and black grill and head light inserts are a dead give away. Not offered on the Sahara in 2021.

I have a 24 mile round trip commute to work so I am really getting the benefit of electric, so much so the gas engine will run to keep the oil and gas fresh. When I have taken it on roads trips, I got closer to 30mpg, Awesome Jeep, so much fun to drive, so quick,. This is the 4xe I got, color and all minus the tow package,.

That slot is for the key, not your phone. And that’s a high alt.

A Jeep Wrangler is way better than other SUVs out there cuz it's a true back wheel drive and it has solid axles and flexibility and no blind spots and still old school looking with new school stuff and not over the top of computers

Hello. Thank you for doing a detailed review on this and not just going over rocks. Most people who buy that trim are not going to try to take on a hard technical Trail. I own an '18 JK Recon 2 door 6spd with some mods and pull 18 MPG if no head wind doing 70ish. 84,000 miles on it. My friend has a '21 JL Sport S 2 door 2.0L turbo non-hybrid with KO2s (same tires I run) and she pulls 26 MPGs highway and 24 around town all on 91 fuel. So to hear that low gas mileage is shocking. Makes my Recon with a manual, 4.10 gears, and lots of shit on it seem economical as it cost me $39,700 brand new!

Good Review man

I think most owners, most of the time, would not use much gas. Charge overnight and get that 30 Miles of EV. That could equate to many thousands of miles on a tank of gas. Plus you get the power, capability and luxury of that trim-seems like a win to me, especially as a first volley from Stellantis on a hybrid wrangler.

Nice ، honest review ,I like it . So, Wrangler lovers should know that facts before purchase.

Me encantan tus reviews.

Yeah, I had hope for the 4xe, but it really has a limited (or maybe not so limited) audience. I think it might work well for the daily commuter that spends time out in the "wilderness" on weekends. You still pay the penalty of owning a Jeep on excursions, but it's pretty economically during the week -- commuting back and forth to work. Summary: if you only have one vehicle and you like to off-road on weekends while commuting during the week -- this may be the "fit". The problem is that this sort of person is more than likely priced out of owning a 4xe -- the regular Jeep with it bad MPG is probably still the most affordable to the audience. Swing and a miss, I'm afraid.

I love your review. I also thought the same thing that mileage on gas is not efficient. Jeep should look into that. There is still room for improvement perhaps Jeep should consider 4X3 with Diesel or perhaps increase the electric range.

Got a question: Why isn't the city driving (MPG's) like the Ford Maverick Hybrid? I know it's a different class being a PHEV with battery storage, but wouldn't it act the same in hybrid mode? Now if they could combine both that would be a game changer.

Hmm you didn't mention the fact it's a HIGH ALTITUDE

Any thoughts for someone with above average height in front and back seat? 6'3"?

That monstrous charging port needs to go. There is no reason the panel that is normally there can't just open and reveal the charging port.

I wish Jeep would make an “on road” variant.

Really wanted one but trip to work one way is plus 40 miles so almost 100 per day with the miscellaneous runs. Jeep Compass Trailhawk has 4xe and so does Grand Cherokee, but I really want a new Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe. C’mon Jeep, what’s the holdup, and be sure the combined mileage is double, more like 40-ish, yeah cuz, your competition does. .... I saw a 392 that was black and gold trim, that is an awesome color combo, please stop with the reds.

Peculiar that you mentioned the terrible mpg while driving either solely on gas or electric. The big elephant in the room is you avoided mentioning mpg in hybrid mode.

The weight and the brick shape is exactly the reason you wont get traditional gains of the hybrids you mentioned. You should probably differentiate that this is also a PHEV and not just a Hybrid. (Splitting hairs I guess) Unfortunately I both agree and disagree. I believe your assessment on mileage is way off if we consider typical use of most drivers. But then it is bang on too.. LOL. I guess this is where your point about being subjective comes in. Realistically, most people with these drive 80% of the time closer to home and within 25-30 miles from work. I doubt most people buying this would being doing the long road trip like your test. If I was driving an extended range daily, I would get the diesel too. Most people CAN or WILL save a fortune on gas, if your a customer in that 80% demographic. You may also benefit from only putting a 1/4- 1/3 tank of gas in the tank, to avoid letting it go stale. This Jeep will force you to run the ICE to get rid of old gas. However, the other 20% of the time when you are driving for extended periods, long trips or in the bush, yeah, you're bang on about the range. But I suspect that cost would be more than offset from the savings throughout the year. I also agree that paired with the 3.6 instead, may have been better for that extra weight. It would be nice if that was technically feasible, based on space available. Your score on price and competitiveness is pretty good too.. Maybe a little more generous than I would've given. LOL As a current Jeep owner I am interested in this direction with PHEV's, but plan to wait for them to work some bugs out and maybe improve on the concerns you raised. That would be a game changer.

It's the cool suburban Mom Wrangler, for around town short trips. Then the EV mode makes sense. Still 6,000 buys a lot of gas!

If the hybrid is configured efficiently like a Prius, it would be slow and gutless…hard to off-road..

Hey my good friends,,,nice review. But Broncos.

4cyl gets better mpg than the 6. So I’m thinking it will be worse and less torque

not sure why people buy this

Isn't that the high-altitude package