2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a bold statement with its appearance and sound. It featured a single “4xe” badge, sky blue tow hooks, and accents, with the only notable difference from a regular Wrangler being the power port at the left base of the windshield. When the battery had enough charge, the vehicle moved silently, except for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which drew attention as it navigated Yosemite National Park. The Firecracker Red Rubicon trim test vehicle, priced at $66,690, included over $13,000 in options. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler look with blue seat stitching, charging indicator lights, and PHEV-specific gauges. The interior was practical, with controls laid out for functionality, and included features like a transmission shifter, hand-operated emergency brake, and manual transfer-case lever. Despite its rugged simplicity, the Wrangler 4xe offered more soft-touch materials than expected, hinting at a slight upgrade in comfort.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT, however, did not impress with its new XRT treatment. The lack of a suspension lift and aggressive tires made the visual enhancements seem superficial. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, hindered entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. The XRT trim, priced at $34,095, included equipment from the SEL trim and its Convenience Package, with options for FWD or AWD. Our test vehicle, painted in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, lacked visual contrast, making it appear dull on an overcast day. Despite this, the interior design and quality were commendable for the price point, though not as upscale as the Limited or Calligraphy trims.

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, the EPA rated it at 20 mpg combined, with a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, allowing drivers to optimize power or efficiency based on their needs. With a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, the Wrangler 4xe could accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds. During a weekend road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its capability, averaging 19.1 mpg over 757 miles, with 120.9 of those miles on electricity. The vehicle's regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during downhill driving, enhancing overall efficiency.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly powerful, it was adequate for reaching freeway speeds and cruising comfortably. An eight-speed automatic transmission handled shifting, with Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes available. The XRT's engine struggled on hills and during rapid acceleration, but switching to Sport mode helped improve responsiveness. Our test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg. For those seeking more power, the Limited and Calligraphy trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the Santa Fe Hybrid models provided better fuel efficiency and 226 horsepower. The Santa Fe XRT's ride and handling were composed and refined, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable choice for long drives.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to enter and exit, especially for shorter passengers, due to its high door sills and lack of side steps. Once inside, the Wrangler offered a comfortable driving position with manual front seat height adjusters and optional heated seats. 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 charging ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo loading was challenging due to the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window. The Wrangler 4xe provided 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the seat folded down, though the charging cord storage and sound system subwoofer took up some space.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT offered a more user-friendly interior with dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air conditioning vents, and stain-resistant fabric seats. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat ensured comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided ample space for a family of four, with generous legroom, foot room, and rear side-window shades. Storage space was adequate, with various nooks and crannies, including a tray under the control bridge and a wireless device charging slot. The Smart Tailgate feature allowed hands-free access to the 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded down. However, the tailgate's automatic opening feature could be inconvenient at times.

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 touchscreen 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 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 the vehicle's charging status.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and Bluelink connected services with a three-year subscription. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs, clean graphics, and logical menus. While the XRT trim lacked the upgraded infotainment system available in higher trims, it still offered digital key technology for Android smartphones and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. The Bluelink system provided additional safety features, such as automatic emergency assistance and vehicle monitoring alerts.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered several advanced driving assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The LED headlights with automatic high beams were effective but rated Marginal by the IIHS. The Wrangler received 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 vehicle tipping over during testing.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of driver-assist and collision-avoidance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The XRT also featured Junction Turning Detection, Safe Exit Assist, and an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system. Bluelink provided additional safety features, such as automatic emergency assistance and vehicle monitoring alerts. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in most NHTSA tests, with a four-star rollover resistance score.