2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Jeep Wrangler

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, including a new engine option, revised styling, and advanced technology, the XT5 carried these improvements into 2021. Its exterior featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, making it one of Cadillac's most upscale offerings aside from the Escalade.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic, rugged design that has remained largely unchanged over the years. Recognizable by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges, the Wrangler offered various trim levels and special editions, each with unique styling touches. The interior was functional rather than luxurious, with upright seating and limited legroom, but it appealed to those who valued its off-road charm. The Wrangler's design catered to enthusiasts who appreciated its classic, toy-truck-like appearance.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but was clunkier when downshifting, especially in Sport mode. The XT5's throttle response was immediate, but it could benefit from more low-end torque. Fuel economy for the V6 AWD was about 25 mpg, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined.

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

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 accommodated four adults comfortably in two rows, though it technically seated five. The back seat offered limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was adequate. The front seats, while visually appealing, were not as comfortable on long trips due to a hard bottom cushion. Heated front seats were standard, and the SUV featured a reasonable 30 cubic feet of cargo space, though it was less than some competitors. The cargo area was deep but narrowed by wheel bump-outs. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight and small map pockets.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black and tan soft tops, and the Freedom three-piece hardtop. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also had drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though wheel-wells and roll-bars could make fitting larger items challenging.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic, offering haptic feedback. The tri-zone automatic climate control system had a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments, though it often ran colder than displayed. The XT5 included a rotary controller for the infotainment system, which could crowd the screen's aesthetics. Standard features included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports. Available options included a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system, a rear camera mirror, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim came with 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 larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, complemented by steering wheel radio toggles. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead. The camera also had a washer-sprayer for muddy or dusty conditions.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all features were available on all trims. The XT5 also included a rear-seat reminder and a standard rearview camera. Cadillac's Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, allowing large wildlife and hazards to be seen at a distance. General Motors' Teen Driver software was standard, allowing parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's safety features were more basic. Modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning and lane departure warning were optional, not standard. Available features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. The Wrangler did not offer lane-departure warning. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines was standard, and a live tire-pressure monitoring system was available, useful for off-roading.