2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Honda CR-V

Jeeps had always been unmistakable on the road, and the 2020 Jeep Wrangler was no different. With its iconic circular headlights, a signature seven-slat grille, and boxy styling, it stood out with an industrial yet rugged aesthetic. The exposed hinges and bolts further added to its utilitarian vibe. The Wrangler was not just about looking rugged; it could also shed its top and doors. The removable top set it apart, making it more of a "recreational utility vehicle" than a conventional commuter car.

Inside, the Jeep Wrangler showcased a mix of retro and rugged elements. It didn’t follow the modern flowing dash designs seen in other crossovers but instead opted for circular climate vents and gauges, reinforcing its brute utility with a bit of style. The Wrangler Unlimited came in several trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and the off-road-focused Rubicon.

The Sport trim was quite basic, equipped with a small 5-inch touchscreen, eight speakers, and manual windows and locks. Practicality reigned supreme with its wash-out interior and in-floor drain plug. The Sport S added a tad more comfort with power windows, locks, air conditioning, and remote keyless entry. Options like the Technology Package and Cold Weather Group further enhanced the driving experience by adding modern amenities such as a 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The Sahara trim featured body-color fender flares, 18-inch alloy wheels, and larger brakes, alongside the content from the Technology Package, adding a touch of sophistication. The Rubicon, known for its off-road prowess, had larger mud-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and numerous mechanical upgrades, making it the undisputed off-road king.

There were also various special editions such as the Willys and Willys Sport, the Black and Tan edition, Sport Altitude, Freedom, Sahara Altitude, North Edition, and Rubicon Recon, each adding unique features and styles to the Wrangler lineup. Jeep utilized a single shape effectively across a range of distinct versions.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V’s design had been familiar since the 2017 model year. This fifth-generation compact crossover boasted a soft design approach with smooth, curvy lines that gave it a more car-like appearance. Its styling shared a strong family resemblance with Honda's sedan lineup and leaned towards a station wagon look rather than a traditional SUV.

Inside, the CR-V mixed textures and materials, from classy wood-look trims and leather upholstery in advanced models to low-quality plastics that reminded one of its roots as a commodity car. Starting at an MSRP of $26,270, the base LX trim offered minimalistic touches. Moving up, the EX, EX-L, and Touring trims progressively added more features. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available for an additional $1,500 across trims.

Standard 17-inch alloy wheels adorned the base model, while the EX and higher trims had 18-inch or optional 19-inch wheels. Fabric seating was standard in the lower trims, while leather was reserved for higher trims. A retractable moonroof was also available, though it wasn’t the panoramic kind offered by competitors.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with three engine options. The base 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. For those wanting more torque, a turbocharged 4-cylinder offered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The standout was the new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, generating 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with the Jeep's off-road capabilities, made highway speeds and overtaking easy.

Off-road enthusiasts favored the Wrangler for its ability to handle rough terrain with ease. Locking front and rear differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar allowed for more front-wheel travel. However, it wasn’t the most comfortable on-road vehicle, with significant road noise and less forgiving ergonomics compared to other SUVs.

Fuel economy varied with the engine choice. The turbodiesel variant provided 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, better than its 4-cylinder turbo counterpart which returned 21 mpg city, 22 highway, and 21 combined.

For the 2020 Honda CR-V, the lineup was streamlined to a single engine: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This setup provided a responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CVT performed smoothly, enough to resemble a conventional automatic transmission.

The CR-V drove like a small sedan with nimble handling and a comfortable, buttoned-down chassis. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to agile handling and fuel efficiency. FWD CR-V models achieved an EPA rating of 30 mpg combined, while AWD models managed 29 mpg combined, placing them at the top of their class in terms of fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was offered in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, with the latter being more popular. The doors and windshield could be removed, enhancing its off-road and outdoor appeal. The Wrangler Unlimited featured a droppable and removable roof, available in various configurations, including a soft top, black or body-colored hardtops, and the Sky One-Touch retractable roof.

When it came to cargo capacity, the Wrangler Unlimited offered about 72 cubic feet with the rear bench folded flat—a respectable figure but less than what some competitors offered given its unique capabilities.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in packaging and practicality. Despite being three inches shorter than the Volkswagen Tiguan, it boasted a roomy cabin with excellent head- and legroom. Clever storage solutions like a deep central console and a two-position load floor in the rear enhanced its usability. With the rear seats folded flat, the CR-V offered a substantial 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space, outmatching the Wrangler.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with a range of infotainment options. The base Sport and Sport S trims featured a 5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara offered a more advanced 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. You could even opt for an 8.4-inch Uconnect system equipped with navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system, creating a high-quality audio experience even at highway speeds.

On the other hand, the 2020 Honda CR-V showed its age in infotainment. The base LX trim came with a small, 5-inch screen offering basic features like Bluetooth and Pandora compatibility. Higher trims included a 7-inch touchscreen that, while better, still lagged behind competitors' larger displays. Although the CR-V included plenty of USB ports and features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the higher trims, the system lacked physical buttons, making it harder to navigate. The Touring trim introduced a wireless phone charger, further adding to its tech credentials.

Safety was a strong point for both vehicles. The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came standard with essential features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera strategically placed on the hub of the external spare tire. Optional safety packages added useful features like rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning.

The 2020 Honda CR-V impressed with its “Honda Sensing” suite of driver-assist technologies standard across all trims. This included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The CR-V garnered top ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick designation for the Touring trim, thanks to its superior LED headlights.