2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Jeep Wrangler

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and boasted more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7 also offered advanced technological features that outshone the Lexus LX 570 and had a commanding visual presence that rivaled the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the X7's appeal was subjective, as personal preference played a significant role in this segment.

The X7 was available in three versions, with the xDrive40i starting at $74,900, the M50i at $99,800, and the Alpina BX7 at $141,300. The test vehicle, an X7 xDrive40i, was equipped with 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium extended leather, and a host of luxury features, bringing its price to $91,745. The X7's design, characterized by its large grille, was fitting for its size, and its styling was both traditional and glamorous, securing its place at the top of BMW's SUV lineup. Inside, the X7 shared similarities with the X5, offering high-tech design, quality materials, and intuitive controls, though some quirks required acclimation.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited maintained its iconic status with its timeless design, featuring circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Its rugged appearance was unmistakable, and it offered various trim levels and styling options, including painted or exposed fenders and soft or hard tops. The Wrangler was not known for comfort, with upright seating and limited legroom, but for the right driver, these were charming traits.

The Wrangler Unlimited was available in several trims, including the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with special editions like the Willys and 80th Anniversary. The Sport trim was basic, with manual features, while the Sport S added power options and available packages. The Sahara was more street-oriented, offering dual-zone climate control and a 7-inch touchscreen. The Rubicon was ideal for off-road enthusiasts, featuring enhanced suspension and running gear. The Rubicon 392, with its Hemi V8, was a standout, offering 470 hp and a distinctive raised hood with "392" badging.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The eBoost mild-hybrid technology added a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite the technology, the X7's fuel economy was slightly lower than the previous year, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and offered a smooth, serene ride, though its weight and body motions were noticeable.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including a standard 3.6-liter V6 with 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, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler featured three 4WD systems, with the Rubicon offering advanced off-road capabilities. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse.

The 2021 BMW X7's interior was luxurious, with features like heated and ventilated seats, premium leather upholstery, and a five-zone climate control system. Front-seat comfort was exceptional, and the second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable. The third-row seat was surprisingly accommodating for adults, though accessing it required some maneuvering of the power seats. The X7 offered 48.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded and 90.4 cubic feet with the second row down, though these figures were not class-leading.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, providing a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with cargo nets and drain plugs for easy cleaning. It offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though the space was limited by wheel-wells and roll-bars.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM, and Connected Package Pro. It also offered wireless charging, voice recognition, and gesture control, though the latter was inconsistent. The head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim had a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive controls, with radio toggles on the steering wheel.

The 2021 BMW X7 came standard with numerous safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist, among others. The X7's ADAS was generally impressive, though it had some issues with lane maintenance and automated lane changes. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parking assist and a surround-view camera.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional safety features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring, but lacked lane-departure warning. It came standard with a backup camera and offered a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Wrangler's safety features were basic compared to modern standards.