2021 BMW X3 vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility over luxury. The various trims, from the basic Sport to the off-road king Rubicon, offered a range of features from manual windows to advanced infotainment systems and heated seats.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X3 presented a refined and luxurious appearance, both inside and out. The exterior resembled a downsized BMW X5, while the interior featured a cold, mechanical styling typical of BMW. The X3's dash was functional, and the cabin offered a high level of comfort and space. The trims ranged from the base sDrive30i to the high-performance M40i, each offering a variety of standard and optional features, including leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and advanced driver-assistance systems.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited came with a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was also available, delivering 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine offered 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. The diesel engine provided better fuel economy, with 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, compared to the gas-powered versions.

The 2021 BMW X3 offered a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the sDrive30i and xDrive30i trims, producing 248 horsepower and paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid delivered 288 hp and had a 17-mile electric-only range. For those seeking more performance, the M40i trim featured a 382-hp twin-turbo inline-six engine, while the X3 M performance model boasted 473 hp. The X3's engines provided brisk acceleration and responsive handling, making it a versatile choice for both city driving and highway cruising.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, with its four-door configuration, offered about 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered flat. The Wrangler's unique features included removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and various roof options, from a retractable soft top to a three-piece hardtop. Despite its rugged design, the Wrangler's cargo space was less than that of more comfort-oriented SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 BMW X3 provided up to 62.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.7 cubic feet with the seats in use. The X3's interior was spacious and comfortable for all passengers, with plenty of headroom and legroom in both rows. The power liftgate and optional hands-free power liftgate added convenience, while the real buttons and dials complemented the main touchscreen, making the infotainment system user-friendly.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims featured a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system that included navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The premium Alpine audio system provided excellent sound quality, even at highway speeds.

The 2021 BMW X3 came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running the iDrive infotainment system, which was user-friendly and offered both touch and dial operation. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, while Android Auto was optional. Additional options included wireless device charging, a fully digital instrument panel, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system. The optional gesture control allowed for basic controls through hand movements, though it could result in false positives for those who talk with their hands.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features such as airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were particularly helpful given the Wrangler's awkward sightlines.

The 2021 BMW X3 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, headlights that bend with the road, and a head-up display.