2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a statement with its distinctive appearance and sound. While it closely resembled a regular Wrangler, the 4xe stood out with its unique "4xe" badge, sky blue accents, and a power port at the windshield's base. When the battery was sufficiently charged, the vehicle operated silently, save for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which drew attention as it navigated through Yosemite National Park. The Firecracker Red Rubicon trim test vehicle, priced at $66,690, was well-equipped with over $13,000 in options. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler interior with some enhancements, such as blue seat stitching and PHEV-specific gauges. Despite its rugged simplicity, the interior offered more soft-touch materials than expected, with leather seats and padded door panels. The controls were functionally laid out, and the robust grab handles hinted at the vehicle's off-road capabilities.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass retained its familiar design, reminiscent of a shrunken Grand Cherokee, despite exterior updates and new wheel designs. The High Altitude test model featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that matched its upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass impressed with its premium feel, especially in the High Altitude trim. The redesigned dashboard, digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats elevated its sophistication. The Compass lineup ranged from the base Sport trim to the top-tier High Altitude, with prices starting at $26,020 and reaching $35,085, excluding destination charges. Our test vehicle, equipped with AWD and various option packages, had an MSRP of $40,470. The interior upgrades, including the Elite Interior Group, added to the Compass's premium appeal, making it a convincing choice for those seeking a more luxurious compact SUV.

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, providing an estimated 21 miles of electric-only 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, allowing drivers to optimize power or efficiency. With 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, it accelerated to 60 mph in six seconds. During a road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its electric capabilities, covering 757 miles with 120.9 miles on electricity and averaging 19.1 mpg. The regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during downhill coasting, enhancing overall efficiency.

The 2022 Jeep Compass came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. While lacking a turbocharger, the engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models, while FWD versions had a six-speed automatic. The transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, resulting in a busy powertrain character. The Compass featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The EPA rated the Compass High Altitude at 25 mpg combined, but our testing averaged 23.8 mpg. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the Compass handled light off-roading and snowstorms well. The Trailhawk trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a low-range AWD system and additional features. The Compass High Altitude's 19-inch wheels improved grip on pavement, but the suspension struggled with uneven surfaces, revealing its dated status.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to enter and exit due to its high door sills and lack of side steps on the Rubicon trim. Once inside, occupants found the classic Wrangler driving position comfortable, with a high seating position and clear visibility. Manual front seat height adjusters helped find the best position, but the seats tended to lower over time. 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 MOLLE-style storage straps. Cargo access was challenging due to the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window. The Wrangler 4xe offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 72.4 cubic feet when folded down.

The 2022 Jeep Compass provided ample space for four adults and their luggage, with a more premium feel in the High Altitude trim. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, while the rear seats were heated. The Elite Interior Group added premium leather upholstery and contrast stitching. A dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned dashboard enhanced the interior's sophistication. The new center console offered increased storage, but the bin beneath the armrest remained small. The Compass had a hands-free power liftgate, providing access to 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet when folded down, exceeding the Cherokee's capacity.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon featured technological advancements related to its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system, with data displays for each. The Uconnect infotainment system included an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system overcame wind noise on the freeway. However, the Uconnect system showed signs of aging in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel provided charging time estimates, and the blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard offered a quick view of charging status.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous version. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch upgrade available. Uconnect 5 supported dual-device Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system current. The Compass offered a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, but it struggled with specific requests. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but wasn't as user-friendly as the best technology in the industry.

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 blind-spot warning system was recommended 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 Marginal rating for small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver, with the vehicle tipping over in tests. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler Unlimited a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was to be added later. A parking assistance system and 360-degree camera were available. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked as expected, but the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. The NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating, and the IIHS scores indicated a need for improved headlight performance.