2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a statement with its distinctive look and sound. Aside from a "4xe" badge and blue accents, it closely resembled a regular Wrangler, with the power port being the only notable difference. When running on battery power alone, the Wrangler 4xe was nearly silent, save for the pedestrian notification system, which drew attention as it navigated Yosemite National Park. The Firecracker Red Rubicon trim test vehicle, priced at $66,690, featured over $13,000 in options. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler interior with some unique touches like blue stitching and PHEV-specific gauges. The layout was practical, with controls for the transmission, emergency brake, and transfer case lever all within easy reach. Despite its rugged simplicity, the interior offered more comfort and soft-touch materials than previous models.

The 2022 Kia Telluride boasted a muscular design with balanced proportions and trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. For 2022, Kia made minor updates to the grille pattern and added new badges. Available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, the Telluride's pricing ranged from $32,790 to $44,590, with AWD available for an additional cost. Our SX test vehicle, equipped with AWD and the SX Prestige Package, totaled $48,325. The Telluride's interior was both stylish and functional, with logical control placement and thoughtful details like overhead air vents and rear smartphone storage pouches. The SX Prestige trim featured Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner, creating a luxurious feel. The Telluride's interior was well-equipped with standard features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, and advanced driving aids.

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. The battery provided an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving with a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. 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, the combined 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque allowed the Wrangler 4xe to accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds. Electric mode enabled pure electric driving, while e-Save preserved battery power for specific situations. During a weekend road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its versatility, averaging 19.1 mpg over 757 miles, with 120.9 of those miles on electricity.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, provided a satisfying driving experience. The eight-speed automatic transmission and available AWD with Lock mode ensured power delivery to all four wheels. The Telluride's brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system and selectable driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport) contributed to its excellent handling. The SX trim's 20-inch wheels and 245/50 tires offered good grip, while the ride quality remained smooth. On the open road, the Telluride excelled as a long-distance driver, with Highway Driving Assist technology enhancing the experience. During testing, the Telluride matched the EPA's combined fuel economy estimate of 21 mpg, with our SX AWD model returning 21.1 mpg. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's high door sills and lack of side steps on the Rubicon trim made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. However, 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. Storage space was limited due to the center console's design, but rear passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear window could be inconvenient in tight spaces, but they added to the Wrangler's charm.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with an upscale, organized interior. Thoughtful details included overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, and USB ports in all three rows. The Telluride offered dual-zone automatic climate control for front-seat occupants and single-zone control for the rear. The EX and SX trims featured real leather upholstery, with the SX Prestige package adding Nappa leather and a simulated suede headliner. The Telluride's seats were comfortable for adults in all three rows, though the third row was best suited for shorter trips. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the seats folded down and a maximum of 87 cubic feet with all seats folded. The flat load floor made it easy to transport large items.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological advancements focused on its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. The Uconnect infotainment system featured 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 provided adequate audio quality. However, the Uconnect system showed its age in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel and blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard were helpful for monitoring charging status.

The 2022 Kia Telluride's 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, now standard, included navigation and voice recognition technology. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. Kia Connect provided a range of connected services, including emergency assistance, remote engine start, and smart speaker integration. The Telluride also featured standard Quiet Mode and Driver Talk functions, enhancing convenience for families. Our SX test vehicle included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems through 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 crash-test rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Wrangler's small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver as Marginal, with the vehicle tipping over in two tests.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard safety features under the Kia Drive Wise umbrella, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Smart Cruise Control-Curve used GPS data to predict and slow for upcoming curves. Safe Exit Assist warned occupants of approaching vehicles or cyclists. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS, missing the highest award due to headlight ratings.