2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year. Despite a 2018 update that incorporated newer infotainment tech and minor changes, the 2020 version still felt dated. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when slammed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel looked like it came from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium, each adding more features and luxury. The SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, included 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate, which was crucial for family use.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe announced its presence with unique sky blue accents and a power port at the left base of the windshield. When running on its battery pack, the Wrangler 4xe was silent except for the pedestrian notification system, turning heads as it moved quietly. Our test vehicle, a Firecracker Red Rubicon trim, was well-equipped with over $13,000 in options, bringing the price to $66,690. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look with some modern touches like blue seat stitching and special gauges for the PHEV powertrain. The interior was functional, with controls laid out in a straightforward manner, but it lacked luxury and refinement.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode available for more spirited driving. It also had a manual mode, which was rarely used but could assist with its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna was available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, with the latter being a unique selling point in its class. The FWD Sienna returned 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the AWD versions returned 18/24/20. The Sienna handled surprisingly well for a minivan, with a low center of gravity and broad base contributing to decent handling dynamics. However, its twitchy steering response at higher speeds required constant attention.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, two electric motors, and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, producing a combined 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save. In Hybrid mode, it could accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds. Electric mode allowed for up to 21 miles of pure electric driving, while e-Save preserved battery power for specific situations. The Wrangler 4xe had an estimated 49 MPGe combined and a total driving range of 370 miles. During a road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe averaged 20.8 mpg in Hybrid mode and 19.1 mpg over a four-day period. The Wrangler's steering had significant on-center slop, making high-speed driving on narrow roads a bit nerve-wracking.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, more than its competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging due to the awkward folding mechanism of the second-row seats. Toyota also offered mobility access features like the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those with mobility issues to use the Sienna.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe had high door sills and narrow rear entries, making it challenging for shorter passengers to climb in. Once inside, the Wrangler offered a comfortable driving position with clear views over the hood. The center console had limited storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. Rear-seat space was adequate but required passengers to sit upright. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window made loading cargo cumbersome in tight spaces.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Other standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims like the Limited added navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Driver Easy Speak intercom system allowed the driver to communicate with rear passengers without raising their voice.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was also available. The Alpine sound system could overcome freeway wind noise but made conversation difficult when turned up. The Uconnect system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of load time and responsiveness. The Trip Summary data panel provided charging time estimates, and the five blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard allowed for easy monitoring of charging status.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims and standard on XLE and Limited trims. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and top ratings from the IIHS in various categories.

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, forward-collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler's LED headlights received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, while the standard headlights were rated Poor. The Wrangler earned a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. However, it received a Marginal rating for small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver from the IIHS.