2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth-generation compact crossover lineup, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, making it a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics. This reminded drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a statement with its unique sound and appearance. While it closely resembled a regular Wrangler, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version featured a power port and subtle blue accents. The Wrangler 4xe's interior retained the classic Wrangler look, with a high driving position and clear views over the hood. Despite its rugged design, the interior offered more soft-touch materials than expected, including leather seats and padded door panels. The Wrangler 4xe's purposeful simplicity was evident, but it lacked luxury and refinement, staying true to its off-road roots.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a well-matched driving experience, with the CR-V feeling quick, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, offering nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable ride. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds contributed to its excellent fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models 29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid, introduced in 2020, offered even higher fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Wrangler 4xe to reach 60 mph in six seconds. The battery provided an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving, with a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. In hybrid mode, the EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, with a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, allowing drivers to optimize power and efficiency based on their needs.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality. Its cabin was roomy, offering excellent head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console and a two-position load floor, added to its versatility. The CR-V's cargo space was impressive, with 75.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded. Even the door pockets were spacious, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, while comfortable, had some limitations in terms of interior space. The high door sills and lack of side steps made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. The driving position was classic Wrangler, with a high seat and clear views. However, the center console offered limited storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. Rear-seat space was adequate, with amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a maximum of 72.4 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the base LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, providing better navigation options. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two in the backseat, and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a comprehensive Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. It offered Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. The system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of load time and responsiveness. The Wrangler 4xe also provided helpful charging status indicators and a Trip Summary data panel for charging time estimates.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with the "Honda Sensing" system as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some caveats for lower trims. The CR-V had one safety recall for a possible rear subframe failure.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems in the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. The Wrangler received a Marginal rating for its LED headlights from the IIHS and a four-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA. However, it had a three-star rating for rollover resistance.