2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

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 much like a regular Wrangler, with the only notable difference being the power port at the base of the windshield. When the battery had enough charge, the Wrangler 4xe moved silently, save for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which turned heads as it navigated Yosemite National Park. The interior retained the classic Wrangler's rugged simplicity, with added soft-touch materials and blue stitching to signify its PHEV status. The controls were functionally laid out, and the Rubicon trim included features like front and rear locking differentials and sway bar disconnects.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender maintained its distinctive, boxy profile, reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite its retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights. The interior was spacious and ergonomic, offering a comfortable driving position with good visibility. The Defender's rugged character was evident in its design, with exposed metal and screws, and a mix of leather and suede upholstery that seemed ready for off-road adventures. The Defender 90 V8 test car combined luxury with practicality, making it suitable for both off-road and everyday use.

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, allowing drivers to optimize power or efficiency based on their needs. With a total output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, it could accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds. During a road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its ability to recharge the battery through regenerative braking, enhancing overall efficiency.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 horsepower, and a new 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 518 horsepower. The V8 engine could propel the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. The Defender's suspension absorbed bumps well, and it handled crosswinds better than the Jeep Wrangler. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance. The optional Terrain Response 2 system and All-Terrain Progress Control further enhanced its off-road performance.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's high door sills and lack of side steps made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. Once inside, the driving position was classic Wrangler, with a high seating position and clear visibility. The interior offered limited practical 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 back seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear window could make loading cargo difficult in tight spaces.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender's 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats were comfortable, though accessing them in the two-door Defender 90 was a chore. The four-door Defender 110 offered more versatility, with two-row and three-row configurations. Three-row models provided 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row models offered 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Defender's interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a spacious center-console storage bin. Optional roof racks and cargo boxes added to its practicality.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological advancements were primarily related to 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 signs of aging, with slower load times and less responsive touch controls. The Trip Summary data panel and charging indicator lights were helpful features for monitoring the PHEV system.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender's standard Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, with distinctive graphics and menu layouts. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was particularly useful for off-roading.

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 high-beam headlights. The IIHS rated the Wrangler's LED headlights as Marginal and the standard headlights as Poor. The Wrangler received a Marginal rating for small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver, with the vehicle tipping over in two tests. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler Unlimited a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender's standard driver-assist tech included lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the Defender, which was not unusual for luxury vehicles.