2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV lineup, sharing a family resemblance with models like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. Its exterior was sporty, with raked belt lines and distinctive visages. Depending on the trim, the Explorer featured various grille designs, from black to full chrome. The six trim levels ranged from the base model to the luxurious Platinum, with prices starting at $32,925 and going up to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dashboard was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler required buyers to choose between a two-door or four-door model and offered a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, and 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 four-door Sport S trim, added features like LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop, and a 1.5-inch suspension lift. The Wrangler's interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and plastic and rubber materials. The driving position was close to the steering wheel and dashboard, requiring some acclimation.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the Kia Telluride's V6 engine. The Explorer Limited Hybrid offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented Explorer ST offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide had a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option on the High Tide. The Wrangler's fuel economy was lower than expected, averaging 16.8 mpg over a week of driving. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique, with loud cabin noise, vague steering, and a rough ride. However, it offered an immersive experience, especially with the top and doors removed, making it ideal for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base model had seating for seven, while other trims offered captain's chairs in the second row, reducing capacity to six. The Explorer provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer offered 81 cubic feet of cargo room, which was less impressive compared to some competitors.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery. Visibility was mixed, with some areas offering excellent views and others requiring adjustments. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and an Alpine premium sound system. The Wrangler High Tide included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, achieving top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's base trim included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features through the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite.

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. The Wrangler's headlight performance was rated Poor for standard lights and Marginal for LED upgrades.