2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, had received significant updates in 2017, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. By 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler offered a more rugged and customizable experience. Buyers could choose between two-door and four-door models and a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. The High Tide special edition, based on the Sport S trim, added LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, sand-and-slush floor mats, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The Xtreme Recon package further enhanced its off-road capabilities with a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and during passing maneuvers. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was also included. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving for the eTorque V6, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg over a week of testing. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique, with loud cabin noise, vague steering, and a rough ride. However, it offered an immersive and adventurous experience, especially with the top and doors removed.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided a respectable amount of headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering and were uncomfortable over long distances. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. It offered 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat for larger items, but there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. The manual height adjuster for the driver's seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and a mix of plastic and rubber interior materials. Visibility varied, with some areas requiring leaning forward to see traffic lights. The rear seat offered agreeable accommodations for two adults, with air conditioning vents, cupholders, and large grab handles. Cargo space was 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The tailgate, with its heavy 35-inch spare wheel, required careful handling.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While the larger Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, the basic setup sufficed for most needs. The Wrangler also included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel with the Cold Weather Group.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included an array of airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors, but advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking were not available.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS for small overlap crash-test protection and side-impact performance. Headlight performance was rated Poor for standard lights and Marginal for LED upgrades.