2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance style with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the SUV's exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, but its black floor mats were a challenge to clean, especially for pet owners. The interior, with its quality materials and minivan-like design, offered a practical but uninspiring aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a statement with its unique sound and appearance. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) was distinguishable by its "4xe" badge, sky blue accents, and power port. The Wrangler 4xe's silent operation, when running on electric power, turned heads during our drive through Yosemite National Park. Our Firecracker Red Rubicon test vehicle, priced at $66,690, was well-equipped with over $13,000 in options. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained its rugged charm with a hose-me-out interior, blue stitching, and PHEV-specific displays. Despite its utilitarian design, the Wrangler 4xe offered more comfort and soft-touch materials than previous models, though luxury was not its focus.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and refined acceleration. The Pilot's available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction and handling. Fuel-saving features included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for AWD models. The Pilot's suspension offered a comfortable ride and agile handling, though its off-road capability was limited by its 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour battery pack, producing a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, allowing drivers to optimize power or efficiency. In Hybrid mode, the Wrangler 4xe could accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds. The EPA rated its electric range at 21 miles and fuel economy at 20 mpg combined. During our road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe averaged 19.1 mpg over 757 miles, with 120.9 miles driven on electricity. The Wrangler's regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during downhill coasting, enhancing overall efficiency.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain's chairs were available, offering nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The Pilot's third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to its low cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments throughout the cabin and a large center console. Cargo space measured 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 83.9 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to enter and exit due to its high door sills and lack of side steps. Once inside, passengers found the Wrangler comfortable, with a high driving position and clear visibility. The center console offered limited storage, but rear passengers had access to air vents, USB ports, and MOLLE-style storage straps. Cargo space was 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat, reduced by the charging cord storage and sound system subwoofer. Folding the rear seat increased capacity to 72.4 cubic feet, accommodating luggage for our trip.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. Higher trims added navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a premium audio system. The Touring trim included a rear-seat entertainment system with Cabin Talk, allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the speakers. While functional, the system's small screen and limited voice recognition capabilities were drawbacks.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's Uconnect infotainment system included an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. SiriusXM Guardian connected services and a WiFi connection were also available. The Alpine sound system provided adequate audio quality, though wind noise on the freeway was a challenge. The Uconnect system was user-friendly but showed signs of aging in terms of responsiveness and graphics. The Wrangler 4xe's PHEV-specific displays and charging indicators were informative and useful.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered ADAS features through the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Wrangler's LED headlights with automatic high beams were effective, though rated "Marginal" by the IIHS. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA but struggled with small-overlap frontal-impact protection, tipping over in IIHS tests.