2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a bold statement with its appearance and sound. Aside from a single “4xe” badge and sky blue tow hooks and accents, it looked almost identical to a regular Wrangler, with the only notable difference being the power port at the left base of the windshield. When the battery had enough charge, the Wrangler 4xe moved silently, except for the whine of its pedestrian notification system, which turned heads as it navigated through Yosemite National Park. Painted in Firecracker Red, the Rubicon trim test vehicle came with over $13,000 in options, bringing the total price to $66,690, including the destination charge. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look with some added soft-touch materials and blue seat stitching. The controls were laid out in a functional format, and the interior featured robust grab handles and auxiliary switches, hinting at its off-road capabilities.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos positioned itself between the smaller Soul and the larger Sportage, offering five trim levels: LX, S, EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX. Our test vehicle was the Nightfall Edition, which included matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, a dual-clutch transmission, a black grille, added body cladding, and robust roof rails. Priced at $28,045, including the destination charge, the Seltos Nightfall Edition had no additional options. Inside, the Seltos displayed a stylish design with contrast-color dashboard panels, exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. However, the abundance of hard plastic made the interior look cheap, despite excellent build quality. The controls were logically arranged, and the infotainment system featured a purple accent color, which was not universally appealing.

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 with an efficiency rating of 49 MPGe combined. As a hybrid, the EPA rated its fuel economy at 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 a total of 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 weekend road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe covered 757 miles, averaging 19.1 mpg, with 120.9 of those miles on electricity.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Nightfall Edition and SX trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The turbo-DCT combination made the Seltos more engaging to drive, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, and Smart. The AWD system had a Lock function for even power distribution at lower speeds, and the Seltos Nightfall Edition returned 27 mpg in combined driving during our Southern California evaluation loop. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with the Seltos exhibiting lateral rocking motions on uneven pavement and feeling bouncy on undulating roads.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to climb into and out of, especially for shorter passengers. Once inside, the driving position was classic Wrangler, with a high seating position and clear view over the hood. The center console offered limited practical storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. Rear-seat space was adequate, with air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a maximum volume of 72.4 cubic feet when the back seat was folded down. However, accessing cargo could be challenging due to the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access thanks to its ride height and large door openings. The Nightfall Edition featured a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a center armrest with cupholders. Cargo space measured 26.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Seltos also included practical storage solutions, such as a smartphone shelf and plastic grocery sack hooks.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, 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 signs of aging in terms of load time, responsiveness, voice recognition accuracy, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel provided charging time estimates, and the five blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard were helpful for viewing charging status.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the EX, Nightfall Edition, and SX trims, with Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a cable connection. The system was intuitive to use, with physical buttons and knobs for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating without an active subscription to connected services. The Seltos also included a volume knob, a tuning knob, and physical buttons for quick access to primary infotainment functions.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems in the Safety Group (blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors) and the Advanced Safety Group (adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights). The blind-spot warning system was highly recommended due to the Wrangler’s narrow side mirrors. 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.

The 2022 Kia Seltos came with numerous driving assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Seltos EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX included adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Safe Exit Assist. The lane-centering assist technology was accurate and refined. The Seltos earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the SX trim and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.