2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

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 like a regular Wrangler, with the only noticeable difference being the power port at the base of the windshield. When the battery had enough charge, the SUV moved silently, except for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which turned heads as it navigated Yosemite National Park. Our Firecracker Red test vehicle, equipped with Rubicon trim and over $13,000 in options, had a price tag of $66,690, including destination charges. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look with some unique touches like blue seat stitching and special PHEV gauges. The interior was practical, with controls laid out for functionality, and robust grab handles hinting at its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, and its slight curve could distort the road view for taller drivers. Inside, the cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. The instrument cluster blended conventional and digital displays, and the infotainment screen rose organically from the dashboard. However, the infotainment system had a steep learning curve, prioritizing form over function. The CX-30 came in various trims, with the 2.5 S as the base model and the Turbo Premium Plus as the range-topping model, each adding more features and luxury.

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, it achieved 20 mpg combined, offering a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe had three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save. In Hybrid mode, it delivered 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 road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its efficiency, averaging 20.8 mpg and covering 259.1 miles with 47.9 miles on electric power. The Wrangler's steering had some on-center slop, but it handled well on various terrains, and its off-road capabilities were evident.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Our test model had the upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, and the Sport mode enhanced throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30 had a conventional shifter design, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and a manual tap-shift mode. The ride was sporty and refined, with well-weighted steering and quick turn-in. However, the suspension could be rough over potholes and imperfections, though it handled dirt and gravel roads well.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to climb into due to high door sills and the 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 had manual height adjusters, but storage space in the center console was limited. Rear-seat space was adequate for upright seating, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, accessing cargo could be challenging due to the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with the seats in use, average for the subcompact SUV segment. Our Turbo Premium Plus model had a power rear liftgate, which was convenient. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, though it could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats offered solid headroom, suitable for short-to-medium trips, though longer drives might be tight.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological advancements were primarily related to its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. It featured a Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system could overcome freeway wind noise. The Uconnect system was intuitive but showed its age in load time, responsiveness, 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 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick and toggle buttons. The system was inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems like BMW's iDrive but lacked touch functionality, making it less user-friendly. Navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial was frustrating, though getting into CarPlay from the Mazda home screen was easy. The system had a steep learning curve, and even after setting up presets, it could be maddening to use.

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 particularly useful 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 Mazda CX-30 came with standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. Our Turbo Premium Plus model had additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The adaptive front headlights and 360-degree parking camera were helpful, and the head-up display provided clear graphics. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.