2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe speaks softly, carries a big battery

Combining Trail Rated off-road capability with the brand's first-ever plug-in hybrid powertrain, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is kind of a big deal.

The iconic Wrangler style is largely untouched, highlighted by Electric Blue tow hooks and trim.

Underhood, Jeep's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is mated to a pair of electric motors.

A charging port has also appeared just ahead of the driver-side door.

Plugging in charges the 17-kilowatt-hour battery pack in around two hours at a Level 2 station.

Fully charged, the Wrangler can drive for up to 21 miles on pure electric power.

Most importantly, the Jeep doesn't sacrifice its Trail Rated capability, boasting the same four-wheel-drive system and crazy articulation as the non-hybrid Wrangler.

Three trim levels are available: There's the base 4xe Sahara, the feature-laden 4xe Sahara High Altitude and the rugged 4xe Rubicon.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe starts at $49,490 for the base Sahara. That's before up to $7,500 in plug-in tax rebates, which should help compensate for the hybrid price premium.

Check out our full first drive review of the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe to see how the High Altitude model performed on the road and how the Rubicon spec tackled the dirt.