2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, much like the Grand Cherokee. It came in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades available. Prices started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, while a fully loaded Compass Limited with all-wheel drive could reach up to $39,755. Despite its upscale appearance and numerous appealing upgrades, the Compass had its share of cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe announced its presence with subtle visual cues like a "4xe" badge and sky blue accents, but it was the silent operation of its electric mode that truly set it apart. Our test vehicle, a well-equipped Rubicon trim painted in Firecracker Red, had over $13,000 in options, bringing its price to $66,690. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look and feel, with added blue stitching and special gauges for the PHEV powertrain. The interior was functional and comfortable, though not luxurious, and the Wrangler's purposeful simplicity remained intact.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite these figures, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and nearly non-existent passing power. The test vehicle averaged 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 25 mpg combined rating. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly and resisted downshifts, while the automatic engine stop/start system could be deactivated for better air conditioning performance. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness, and the steering was heavy and vague. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capability, especially in Trailhawk trim with added ground clearance and an Active Drive Low AWD system.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, two electric motors, and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup provided an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving and a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. When used as a hybrid, 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 maximize power, run solely on electric power, or save battery power for specific situations. The Wrangler 4xe's total output was 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, enabling it to reach 60 mph in six seconds. During a weekend road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe averaged 19.1 mpg over 757 miles, with 120.9 of those miles on electricity.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet for rear passengers. Cargo space measured 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, though the optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer housing took up some space. Interior storage was limited, with awkwardly positioned cupholders.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to climb into and out of, especially for shorter passengers, but once inside, it was comfortable. The driving position was classic Wrangler, with a high seating position and clear view over the hood. Manual front seat height adjusters helped find the best position, though the seats tended to lower over time. The center console offered limited storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. Rear-seat space was adequate, with air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, a 115-volt power outlet, and MOLLE-style storage straps. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, though the charging cord storage bin and Alpine subwoofer took up some space.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and 4G LTE WiFi. It also offered SiriusXM Guardian connected services, a navigation system, and an Alpine premium audio system. The Uconnect system was intuitive and easy to use, though some features were embedded in menus that could have been more accessible. Voice recognition worked well for most commands, though navigation required more specific prompts.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological advancements were primarily related to its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. It also featured a comprehensive Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. The Alpine sound system could overcome wind noise on the freeway, though it made conversation difficult. The Uconnect system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel provided charging time estimates, and the blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard were helpful for viewing charging status.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a range of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. These systems performed to average expectations, with some overreacting or being more insistent than desired. The Compass earned Good ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance, and received mixed ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems bundled in the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system was particularly useful due to the Wrangler's narrow side mirrors. The LED headlights with automatic high beams were effective but rated Marginal by the IIHS. The Wrangler received a Marginal rating for small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver, with the vehicle tipping over in two tests. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler Unlimited a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.