2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and rugged capability, a legacy that began with the original Series I off-roader. Over the years, it evolved into a luxury SUV, maintaining its robust 4x4 underpinnings. By 2020, the Range Rover offered a variety of trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof, while options ranged from a 19-speaker Meridian audio system to massaging rear seats. The SVAutobiography stood out with unique styling and nearly every available feature, emphasizing the Range Rover's commitment to luxury and versatility.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made its mark with subtle yet distinctive features, such as a "4xe" badge and sky blue accents. Its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain allowed for silent operation when running on battery power alone, a feature that turned heads during its test drive in Yosemite National Park. The Wrangler 4xe was available in Rubicon, Sahara, and High Altitude trims, with the Rubicon trim offering enhanced off-road capabilities. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained its rugged charm with a hose-me-out interior, but added modern touches like blue seat stitching and special PHEV-related displays. Despite its utilitarian design, the Wrangler 4xe provided a comfortable ride, though it lacked the luxury and refinement of the Range Rover.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 engine was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, a plug-in hybrid powertrain combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with electric motors, offering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque with a 19-mile electric range. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim boasted a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to produce 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, ensuring impressive performance both on and off-road.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with 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 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. In Hybrid mode, the Wrangler 4xe delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds. The Electric mode allowed for silent operation, while e-Save preserved battery power for specific situations. Despite its impressive powertrain, the Wrangler 4xe's aerodynamic inefficiency and wind noise on highways were notable drawbacks.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB). Both configurations provided standard seating for five, with the option for second-row captain’s chairs reducing capacity to four. The SWB version offered 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model provided 77.5 cubic feet. The Range Rover featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece configuration, enhancing convenience for loading and unloading. The interior boasted a center-console compartment, decently sized door compartments, and cupholders, though cargo space was less than some competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to enter and exit due to its high door sills and lack of side steps on the Rubicon trim. Once inside, passengers found a comfortable and classic Wrangler driving position, with manual front seat height adjusters and optional heated front seats. 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, and MOLLE-style storage straps. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a maximum of 72.4 cubic feet when the back seat was folded. The Wrangler's swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window added to its charm but could be inconvenient in tight spaces.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen controlled climate settings, seat controls, and Terrain Response settings. Integrated dials on the lower screen changed functions based on the selected menu. The system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues, but a volume knob provided tactile control. A fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the Range Rover's tech offerings.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological advancements centered around its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. The Uconnect infotainment system featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system provided adequate audio quality. However, the Uconnect system showed signs of aging in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel offered charging time estimates, and five blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard provided a quick view of charging status.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features such as low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover offered a solid list of safety features, some competitors provided more standard equipment.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems through the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. The Wrangler's LED headlights with automatic high beams received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, while the standard headlights were rated Poor. The Wrangler earned a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.