2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's true SUV range. Its design, from the kidney grille to the body shape, was unmistakably BMW, though this sameness could make it blend in among other BMWs. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights, with xLine models sporting matte aluminum grilles and satin aluminum finishes for an upscale look. M Sport models had body-color matched trims and high-gloss black accents for a sportier appearance. The interior, while not shoddy, had an abundance of black plastic and a design that felt familiar across BMW's lineup. M Sport models added unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and exclusive trim strips.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with its unchanged styling, featuring circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could have painted or exposed fenders, a soft top or hardtop, but its core elements remained unmistakable. The Wrangler's interior was functional, with upright seating and limited legroom, which some drivers found charming. Trims ranged from the bare-bones Sport to the more luxurious High Altitude, with the Rubicon offering off-road enhancements like beefed-up suspension and a Hemi V8 in the Rubicon 392.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M boasted 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's steering and drive dynamics were less engaging than other BMW SUVs, with a Lincoln-like feel. The X5 M was the least fuel-efficient, achieving 15 mpg combined, while the X5 xDrive45e was rated at 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's powertrain lineup included gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Wrangler's 4WD systems included Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the Rubicon offering front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar for off-roading.

The 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with front cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The center console's buttons and dials were hard to differentiate at night. Seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, with heated seats and armrests. The rear seats were comfortable for kids and two adults, with an optional third row. The split liftgate was easy to operate, and the vehicle height adjustment button was helpful for loading cargo. The X5's cargo area was spacious without the third row, though the doors did not open very wide for easy access.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black cloth soft top, and the Freedom top hardtop. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel. The cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The wheel-wells and roll-bars made it harder to fit larger items.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some getting used to but was easy to navigate once familiar.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport had a basic 5-inch screen, with a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, with crisp graphics and intuitive radio toggles on the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a long list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but it had issues with reacting to stopped traffic and lane-keeping. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional safety features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. Lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.