2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a bold statement with its appearance and sound. Aside from a “4xe” badge and sky blue accents, it looked like a regular Wrangler, with the only noticeable difference being the power port at the base of the windshield. When the battery had enough charge, the SUV moved silently, except for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which turned heads as it cruised through Yosemite National Park. Our Firecracker Red test vehicle, equipped with Rubicon trim and over $13,000 in options, had a price tag of $66,690, including destination charges. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look with some added soft-touch materials and blue stitching. The controls were laid out functionally, and the interior was robust, hinting at its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Honda Passport, with its new styling, closely resembled the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. Sharing a platform with the Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV, the Passport was essentially a shorter Pilot without a third-row seat. Honda aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, especially with the new TrailSport trim, which added off-road appeal. The TrailSport trim included standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes. Prices ranged from $37,870 to $45,430, with our TrailSport test vehicle priced at $44,095. Inside, the Passport offered a spacious and well-assembled interior with quality materials, orange contrast stitching, and ample storage space.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, 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 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 averaged 20.8 mpg and covered 757 miles, with 120.9 of those miles on electricity.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The EPA rated the Passport at 22 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 21 mpg with all-wheel drive. Our TrailSport test vehicle averaged 21.3 mpg. The Passport's all-wheel-drive system, i-VTM4, featured mechanical torque vectoring, delivering up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport offered satisfying acceleration, a firm ride, and athletic handling. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was concerning given its 5,000-pound towing capacity.

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 driving position was classic Wrangler, with a high seating position and clear view over the hood. The center console offered limited storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. Rear-seat space was adequate, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seat folded down. However, the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window could make loading cargo difficult.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy entry and exit with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were large and comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated seats as standard. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a slightly elevated seating position. The Passport provided plenty of storage, including a massive center console bin and various door panel compartments. Cargo space was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological advancements were primarily related to its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. It featured an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system could overcome freeway wind noise. However, the Uconnect system showed its age in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel and charging indicator lights were helpful features.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The system had shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. Apple CarPlay was preferred over the clunky navigation system. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport's technology was not particularly advanced.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems in the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler's LED headlights received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, while the standard headlights were rated Poor. The Wrangler earned a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and a seatbelt reminder system. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions were intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control was not smooth. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories, except for a four-star rating for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.