2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a statement with its distinctive appearance and sound. Aside from a "4xe" badge and blue accents, it looked much like a regular Wrangler, with the power port at the windshield base being the main difference. When the battery had enough charge, the SUV moved silently, except for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which drew attention as it navigated Yosemite National Park. Our Firecracker Red test vehicle, equipped with Rubicon trim and over $13,000 in options, was priced at $66,690, including destination charges. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look, with blue stitching and special PHEV gauges. The interior was practical, with controls laid out for functionality, and included features like a transmission shifter, emergency brake, and transfer-case lever. Despite its rugged simplicity, the Wrangler 4xe offered more soft-touch materials than expected, but luxury and refinement were not its strong suits.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, despite its minivan image, offered a practical and efficient package for transporting up to seven people. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain, based on a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a dual-motor electric drive system, provided 260 horsepower and immediate torque. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for daily commutes and errands. Our Limited-trim test vehicle, priced at $57,680 with options, featured a comfortable interior with black Nappa leather and a flowing design. However, the styling appeared soft and dated compared to newer trends. The Pacifica Hybrid's powertrain seamlessly switched between electric and gas modes, offering a smooth and efficient driving experience. Despite its minivan packaging, the Pacifica Hybrid excelled in practicality and efficiency.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a powertrain based on a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It included two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, providing an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving and a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. As a hybrid, it achieved 20 mpg combined, with a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save. In Hybrid mode, it delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in six seconds. Electric mode allowed for pure electric 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 and covering 757 miles, with 120.9 miles on electricity.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid's plug-in hybrid drivetrain combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a dual-motor electric drive system, producing 260 horsepower. The Pacifica Hybrid could travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone, making it ideal for daily commutes and errands. The regenerative braking system captured energy to recharge the battery, enhancing efficiency. During a Los Angeles driving loop, the Pacifica Hybrid achieved an average fuel economy of 37.1 mpg. Unlike the Toyota Sienna, the Pacifica Hybrid offered a smooth and quiet driving experience, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. The powertrain operated efficiently without requiring manual adjustments, providing a hassle-free driving experience. However, the Pacifica Hybrid's driving dynamics were unremarkable, with light steering, grabby brakes, and limited cornering grip.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's high door sills and lack of side steps made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. Once inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a comfortable driving position with clear visibility. The interior featured manual front seat height adjusters, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, storage space was limited, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and door panel netting. Rear-seat space was adequate, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a storage bin under the load floor for the charging cord. Folding the back seat down increased cargo space to 72.4 cubic feet, but accessing the cargo area could be challenging due to the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid excelled in comfort and utility, offering three rows of comfortable seats and ample cargo space. The interior featured triple-zone automatic climate control, quality leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. Storage options included extra shelves in the front door panels, a large floor tray under the center console, and a long storage bin behind the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed comfortable seats with adjustable legroom, climate control, and side window sunshades. The third-row seat provided reasonable comfort, with cupholders, USB ports, and window shades. Cargo space measured 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded down. Removing the second-row seats increased cargo capacity to 140.5 cubic feet, surpassing many full-size SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon featured a Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system provided adequate audio quality. However, the Uconnect system showed signs of aging, with slower load times and less responsive voice recognition. The Trip Summary data panel and charging indicator lights were helpful for monitoring charging status and efficiency.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, appealing graphics, and a user-friendly interface. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The available FamCam overhead camera system allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers. The Pacifica Hybrid also featured a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, though sound quality required adjustment. The rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV provided streaming and gaming options, but personal devices were often preferred by passengers. The surround-view camera system and parking assist system were useful for maneuvering the minivan.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system was particularly useful due to the Wrangler's narrow side mirrors. The LED headlights received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, while the standard headlights were rated Poor. The Wrangler earned a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. However, the IIHS rated the Wrangler's small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver as Marginal, with the SUV tipping over during testing.

The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system. It offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-keeping assist, and a parking assist system. However, the adaptive cruise control required refinement, as it was slow to recognize lane departures and overly cautious when other vehicles cut in. The Pacifica earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The only concern was a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection.