2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a statement with its distinctive appearance and unique sound. Aside from a "4xe" badge and blue accents, it looked much like a regular Wrangler, with the power port at the base of the windshield being the only notable difference. When running on battery power alone, the SUV was nearly silent, save for the pedestrian notification system, which drew attention as it quietly navigated Yosemite National Park. Our Firecracker Red test vehicle, equipped with Rubicon trim and over $13,000 in options, was priced at $66,690, including destination charges. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler look with some added soft-touch materials and blue stitching. The controls were functionally laid out, and the interior, while not luxurious, was more refined than previous models.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, was an attractive SUV with balanced styling and plenty of character. At night, the Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence welcomed drivers, and the Black Label model offered a choice between Chalet and Flight design themes. Our test vehicle featured the Chalet design with light gray premium leather upholstery. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, such as a simulated suede headliner and luxury floor mats, creating a decadent interior. However, some elements, like the center console design and chrome-plated plastic pieces, felt a bit cheap. The Nautilus Black Label started at $66,825, with our test vehicle priced at $68,325 due to the addition of Ultra Comfort 22-way power-adjustable front seats with Active Motion massage.

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. In Hybrid mode, the vehicle delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in six seconds. Electric mode allowed for gas-free driving, while e-Save preserved battery power for specific situations. During a road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its capabilities, averaging 20.8 mpg over 259.1 miles, with 47.9 of those miles on electric power. The vehicle's regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during downhill coasting, enhancing overall efficiency.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, available on the Black Label and Reserve trims. The Nautilus featured Comfort, Normal, and Sport driving modes, which adjusted powertrain behavior, steering effort, and adaptive suspension settings. During a road trip from Los Angeles to Scottsdale, Arizona, the Nautilus proved to be a comfortable and quiet companion, averaging 25 mpg over 871.1 miles. The twin-turbo V6 engine provided impressive performance, especially in Sport mode, where the vehicle demonstrated agility and athleticism on mountain roads. However, the steering lacked engagement, which was a minor drawback in an otherwise enjoyable driving experience.

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, the driving position was classic Wrangler, with a high seating position and clear view over the hood. The front seats offered manual height adjustments, but storage space in the center console was limited. Rear-seat passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seat folded down. However, the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window could make loading cargo challenging in tight spaces.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label featured a luxurious interior with smooth leather, ambient lighting, and a quiet cabin. The front seats were heated and ventilated, with optional 22-way power adjustments and massage functions. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and air conditioning vents, but legroom was somewhat tight for a midsize SUV. Practical storage space was adequate, though some compartments were hard to access. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 68.8 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

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 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 decent 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 blue charging indicator lights were helpful features for monitoring the vehicle's charging status.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. Sync 4 offered over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Lincoln Connect connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Our Black Label test vehicle included connected navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, with physical stereo and climate controls. The natural voice recognition system worked well, and the Revel speakers delivered excellent sound quality. The Nautilus also featured Phone as a Key, allowing drivers to use their smartphone as a digital key.

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, though they received a Marginal rating from the IIHS. The Wrangler earned 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 in two different tests.

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Black Label trim added Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not assessed the Nautilus for safety.