2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, serving as a smaller sibling to the iconic Bronco. It drew inspiration from the classic 1966-1996 Bronco, offering a rugged aesthetic that appealed to those seeking adventure. The Bronco Sport featured a unibody design, making it more suitable for everyday driving while still being ready for weekend escapades. Its design elements, such as the short front overhang and tall fender wells, were tailored for trail driving, minimizing the risk of snagging on obstacles. The vehicle's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with its modern retro feel, gave it a distinctive presence on the road.

Inside, the Bronco Sport's interior was both rugged and refined, with a focus on functionality. The cabin featured a unique design for the HVAC vents, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, offering options from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats. The First Edition model boasted Navy Pier Leather power front seats and a rubberized cargo floor, emphasizing practicality and comfort.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a statement with its unique sound and appearance. While it closely resembled a regular Wrangler, the 4xe stood out with its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) capabilities. The only visual differences were the "4xe" badge, sky blue accents, and the power port at the windshield's base. The Wrangler 4xe's silent operation, thanks to its electric power, turned heads as it navigated through Yosemite National Park. The Rubicon trim, painted in Firecracker Red, came with over $13,000 in options, pushing its price to $66,690, including destination charges.

Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look, with a few PHEV-specific touches like blue seat stitching and charging indicator lights. The interior offered a mix of ruggedness and comfort, with leather seats and padded door panels. The center console housed essential controls, including the transmission shifter and manual transfer-case lever. The Wrangler 4xe's interior was designed for functionality, with grab handles and auxiliary switches for off-road adventures. While it didn't offer luxury, it provided a purposeful and well-equipped cabin for its price.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, each tied to specific trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models were equipped with a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes for various terrains.

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It handled groomed trails and obstacles with ease, making it a capable off-road vehicle. On-road, the Bronco Sport displayed good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more satisfying driving experience compared to the 1.5-liter engine, which could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup provided an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving and a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save. In Hybrid mode, it delivered a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds.

The Wrangler 4xe's Electric mode allowed for silent driving, while e-Save preserved battery power for specific situations. During a road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its efficiency, averaging 20.8 mpg in Hybrid mode. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during downhill descents, enhancing overall efficiency. While the Wrangler 4xe offered impressive off-road capabilities, its on-road performance was hampered by wind noise and steering play.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its clever features and ample cargo space. It could accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes in the cargo area, and Ford offered a wide range of accessories for outdoor enthusiasts. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle's towing capacity varied between 2,000 and 2,200 pounds, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter, adding to its practicality.

Inside, the Bronco Sport provided ample storage compartments, including large door pockets and multiple cubbies. However, taller drivers might have found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges. The seating position could have been higher for better off-road visibility, but overall, the interior was well-designed for comfort and functionality.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's interior was designed for comfort and practicality. The high door sills and lack of side steps on the Rubicon trim made entry and exit a bit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. However, once inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a comfortable driving position with excellent visibility. Manual front seat height adjusters allowed for customization, but the seats tended to lower over time.

The center console's storage was limited due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever, but rear-seat passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. The Wrangler 4xe's cargo area measured 27.7 cubic feet, with a storage bin under the load floor for the charging cord. While the cargo space was limited, the Wrangler's design and personality made it a unique choice for adventure seekers.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest infotainment technology, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Ford+Alexa compatibility. A Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims, along with a 360-degree camera for off-road use. The terrain management system offered multiple drive modes, and trail control technology provided additional assistance during off-road adventures. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technology focused on its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. The Uconnect infotainment system featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. While the system was intuitive, it showed signs of aging in terms of load time and graphics. The Wrangler 4xe also provided charging time estimates and charging indicator lights for easy monitoring. The Alpine sound system offered good audio quality, but wind noise on the freeway could be a challenge.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system for enhanced safety. However, crash-worthiness ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. The LED headlights with automatic high beams were effective, but the IIHS rated them as Marginal. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating from the NHTSA, but its rollover resistance was rated at three stars. The IIHS noted a Marginal rating for small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver.