2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a bold statement with its appearance and sound. It closely resembled a regular Wrangler, with the only noticeable differences being a "4xe" badge, sky blue accents, and a power port at the windshield's base. When the battery was sufficiently charged, the Wrangler 4xe operated silently, save for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which drew attention as it navigated through Yosemite National Park. The test vehicle, painted in Firecracker Red and equipped with Rubicon trim, was priced at $66,690, including destination charges. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler interior, with blue seat stitching and PHEV-specific gauges. The controls were functionally laid out, and the interior, while simple, was more refined than previous models, though luxury was not its focus.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design, reflecting its traditional customer base. Over the years, Buick shifted from sedans to SUVs, aligning with market trends. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, was well-received for its upmarket redesign in 2018. The 2022 model featured exterior updates, including a new grille and wheel designs, with the Avenir trim offering unique styling elements. Inside, the Enclave boasted a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and available comfort features like massaging seats. The Avenir trim stood out with its exclusive seat design and standard climate-controlled front seats, providing a near-luxury experience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour battery, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, allowing for versatile driving experiences. The Wrangler 4xe could travel an estimated 21 miles on electric power alone, with a total range of 370 miles. During testing, it achieved 20.8 mpg in Hybrid mode and 19.1 mpg overall. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its upgraded four-wheel-drive system, making it suitable for various terrains.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Enclave's ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to its premium suspension and noise-cancellation technology. Despite its size, the Enclave's acceleration was responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. While not designed for off-roading, the Enclave's AWD and ground clearance made it capable of handling light trails and adverse weather conditions.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's high door sills and lack of side steps made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. Inside, the Wrangler offered a classic driving position with clear visibility. Storage space was limited due to the center console's design, and rear-seat space was adequate but not spacious. Cargo capacity measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Wrangler's tailgate design could be inconvenient in tight spaces, but it added to the vehicle's charm.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. It featured power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support and massage functions in higher trims. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably in all three rows, with ample headroom and legroom. Cargo space was generous, offering 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience for accessing the cargo area.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's technology focused on its hybrid powertrain and 4WD system, with an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. The system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of responsiveness and graphics. The Wrangler also featured helpful charging indicators and a Trip Summary data panel for charging estimates.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported multiple device pairings and included a WiFi hotspot. Safety features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display were available, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems through the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. The Wrangler received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star frontal-impact rating from NHTSA and a Marginal rating for small-overlap frontal-impact protection from IIHS.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant safety updates, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Additional features were available on higher trims. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.