2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V represented the culmination of Honda's design philosophy for their compact crossover. Introduced in 2017, this fifth-generation model was instantly recognizable and carried a curvy, car-like aesthetic. It bore a family resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, especially evident in its front and rear fascias. With an overall station wagon look rather than an SUV, it became a staple for modern family transportation with its soft, approachable lines.

Inside, though, the CR-V told a different story. Its interior featured a variety of textures and materials ranging from upscale wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims to low-quality plastics that betrayed its budget-friendly origins. The base FWD LX trim started at an affordable MSRP of $26,270, making way up to the Touring model priced at $34,470. All models came with Honda’s three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, and AWD could be added for an additional $1,500 across the board.

The CR-V rolled on standard 17-inch alloy wheels for the base model, while the EX trims got 18-inch wheels, and the Touring came fitted with optional 19-inchers. Fabric seating adorned the lower trim levels, with leather available in the upper tiers. Most trims also boasted a retractable moonroof, though the base LX did not, and roof rails were exclusive to the top-of-the-line Touring model.

In stark contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic, unchanged look over the years. Known for its rugged aesthetics, the Wrangler featured distinctive circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. It presented a toy-truck appearance for adults and was immediately identifiable on the road.

Trim variations could slightly alter the Wrangler's look—options such as painted or exposed fenders, and soft top or hardtop configurations added unique styling touches. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered numerous trims including the Sport, Sport S, Sahara along with special editions like the Willys, 80th Anniversary, Freedom, Islander, and High Altitude, each with unique features yet retaining those timeless core elements.

Driving a Wrangler gave an entirely different experience—the upright seating, limited legroom, and manually adjusted seats were more about charm than comfort. The Wrangler was built for adventure, and those enduring quirks were part of its rugged charisma.

For 2020, the Honda CR-V streamlined its engine offerings, opting solely for the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder previously available on EX trims and above. This engine produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Honda’s application of the CVT garnered praise for its relatively quick response and minimized engine droning, especially in Sport mode.

The CR-V drove comfortably, akin to a sedate sedan with nimble handling despite not being overtly sporty. Its lightweight build—starting at just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX—contributed to better acceleration, fuel economy, and handling. The FWD models were EPA-rated at 30 miles per gallon combined, with AWD variants marginally less at 29 mpg. The CR-V topped its class in fuel economy, matching the Subaru Forester and edging out competitors like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.

In 2021, the Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup covering traditional gas engines, diesel options, mild-hybrid systems, and even a new Hemi V8. The standard engine was a 3.6-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler also offered a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 delivering 260 hp and a formidable 442 lb-ft of torque.

Towing prowess and off-road capability were bolstered by three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, the latter featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a front sway bar disconnect for rugged terrains.

Jeep also unveiled the Rubicon 392, equipped with a 6.4-liter V8 engine delivering 470 horsepower and torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse capable of tackling extreme conditions with ease. Enhanced by its high-lift suspension, Fox shock absorbers, upgraded brakes, and its recognizable growling exhaust, the Rubicon 392 was both audible and impressive on the trail and pavement.

Honda continued to excel with its ingenious packaging in the 2020 CR-V. The cabin rivaled class leaders like the Volkswagen Tiguan for space, particularly in the head- and legroom it afforded both front and rear passengers. The CR-V’s driving position took advantage of its low cowl, enhancing front visibility, while its overall compact size belied its spacious interior.

Cargo utility was a high point, offering 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, courtesy of a two-position load floor aiding in storage flexibility. Thoughtful touches, like the deep center console and spacious door pockets, amplified everyday convenience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler, available with soft and hardtop options, maintained a niche appeal with choices like the zipperless Sunrider soft-top and the power-retractable Sky One-Touch top, a feature particularly appealing to those who wanted the open-air Jeep experience without the heavy lifting. Inside, it was all about function with limited but practical storage solutions, including drain plugs for easy hose-downs.

Cargo space in the Wrangler Unlimited was competitive, offering 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the cargo area’s usability was somewhat compromised by structural elements like wheel-wells and roll-bars.

Regarding infotainment, the 2020 Honda CR-V showed its age. The base LX trim housed a small 5-inch screen mostly for basic controls, while upper trims offered a still-modest 7-inch touchscreen. Features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available on the higher trims, and even then, it felt more patched-in than seamless. The absence of features like VW’s Digital Cockpit made the CR-V’s system feel outdated.

USB ports were well-distributed in the EX trim or better, with front and rear ports handling both connectivity and high-powered charging. The Touring model’s introduction of a wireless phone charger was a welcome addition for tech-savvy users.

In comparison, the Jeep Wrangler’s tech offerings were more substantial. Starting with a basic 5-inch screen, the Wrangler stepped up with optional 7-inch and even 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreens offering modern connectivity like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These larger screens were praised for their crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, complemented by steering-wheel radio toggles for ease of use.

The Rubicon 392’s technological enhancements included a robust color TFT instrument panel screen and an innovative off-road camera embedded within the front grille, helping off-roaders navigate challenging terrains with ease.

Honda incorporated its “Honda Sensing” suite as standard on all CR-V trims, equipping even the base model with advanced safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and higher added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert systems for enhanced safety.

The 2020 CR-V also garnered top safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS, the latter noting the importance of the LED headlights exclusive to the Touring model for improved nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler fell short in the safety department compared to modern standards, where driver-assistance features were sparse and mostly optional. Forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking were available, but lane-departure warning remained absent. The backup camera fulfilled the basic requirement, complemented by a live tire-pressure monitoring system essential for off-road excursions.