2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS

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 main difference being the power port at the windshield's base. 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 interior maintained the classic Wrangler's rugged simplicity but added more soft-touch materials and unique PHEV-related displays.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 offered a more subdued, less flashy appearance compared to its competitors. The base model avoided excessive chrome and gaudy grilles, while the AMG and Maybach versions added more visual drama with flared arches, chrome accents, and larger wheels. Inside, the GLS 450's interior felt luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, providing a high-quality feel without being overly fragile.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder 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 offered 20 mpg combined and a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe's powertrain modes included Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, allowing drivers to optimize power and efficiency. With 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, it could accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 came with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission, assisted by the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The gasoline engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with the electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft in short bursts. The GLS 450's air suspension provided a smooth ride, but it exhibited poor body control over bumps and in corners. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, slightly less than some competitors.

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 Wrangler offered a comfortable driving position with clear visibility. Storage space was limited due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever, and rear-seat space was adequate but not spacious. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a seven-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and two third-row seats. An optional six-seat version replaced the bench with captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, providing ample legroom. Cargo space measured 17.4 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The GLS featured one-touch power-folding seats and a power tailgate, making loading and unloading easy.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technology 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. The system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of load time and responsiveness. The Trip Summary data panel and charging indicator lights provided useful information about the PHEV system.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with the MBUX infotainment system, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, and a 13-speaker Burmester audio system. The system offered multiple control options, with voice recognition being the most user-friendly. The touchscreen and instrument cluster had good graphics, but the navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems in 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 received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover rating from NHTSA, and a Marginal rating for small-overlap frontal-impact protection from IIHS.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, Crosswind Assist, parking assist, and Pre Safe. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and advanced driver-assistance systems. Crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.