2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

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 vehicle moved silently, except for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which drew attention as it navigated Yosemite National Park. The interior retained the classic Wrangler look, with blue seat stitching and special gauges for the PHEV powertrain. The controls were laid out functionally, and the interior, while simple, was better outfitted than previous models.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, a redesigned grille, and fresh alloy wheels. The top-of-the-line Signature trim had body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the Signature trim boasted luxurious Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The seats were new for 2022, offering improved comfort. Mazda also restructured the trim levels, introducing the CX-5 2.5 S and CX-5 2.5 Turbo, with the latter offering a turbocharged engine for those seeking more power.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 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, 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 capabilities, covering 757 miles and averaging 19.1 mpg.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) contributed to a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo, with premium gas, offered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, while regular gas provided 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo model also had a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, achieving 24 mpg combined. The 2.5 Turbo trims and higher 2.5 S trims included Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings. The 2022 CX-5's improved driving dynamics, reduced noise, and enhanced ride quality made it a compelling choice.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's high door sills and lack of side steps made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. However, once inside, the Wrangler offered a comfortable driving position with clear visibility. The center console's storage was limited, but 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 seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window added to the Wrangler's charm but could be inconvenient in tight spaces.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and front seats. The new seats provided better support and comfort, and the driving position felt sportier. The CX-5's back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. The control layout, while not ideal, became manageable with time. Storage space was adequate, with a small center armrest bin and door panel bins. Cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it competitive with entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon featured an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. The system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel provided helpful charging time estimates, and the blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard allowed for easy monitoring of charging status.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. The system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring the use of center console and steering wheel controls. While the system became manageable over time, it could benefit from touchscreen functionality and improved voice recognition. The CX-5 offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial subscription. The 2.5 S Premium trim and higher included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, which performed adequately.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered 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 blind-spot warning system was particularly useful due to the Wrangler's narrow side mirrors. The 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 2022 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5's head-up display showed blind-spot warnings, enhancing safety. The IIHS awarded the 2022 CX-5 a "Top Safety Pick+" rating, making it one of the safest vehicles in its class.