2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a bold statement with its appearance and sound. Aside from a "4xe" badge and 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. The Firecracker Red Rubicon trim test vehicle, priced at $66,690, included over $13,000 in options. 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 hinted at its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim with blacked-out exterior trim, badges, and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sporty look. The Ascent lineup included Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $32,295 to $45,445. Our test vehicle, the Onyx Edition, featured water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats and a unique grille design. Priced at $37,995, it offered an option package with a panoramic moonroof, navigation system, and cargo cover for an additional $2,000. The gray two-tone interior with metallic trim set a pleasant mood, though the StarTex material tended to trap sweat on hot days. The Ascent's styling and interior features aimed to attract a youthful audience.

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, the EPA rated its fuel economy at 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 averaged 20.8 mpg and covered 757 miles, with 120.9 of those miles on electricity.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent with 20-inch wheels had an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, and our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, providing brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance enhanced its off-road capabilities. In urban and suburban driving, the Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable, though sudden braking could be overly responsive. On country and mountain roads, it demonstrated athleticism, though its compliant suspension and tall height produced noticeable body motion. On highways, the Ascent's lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could feel uncertain, but turning them off improved driving satisfaction.

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 center console offered limited storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. Rear-seat space was adequate, with air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo loading was challenging due to the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The driving position was comfortable and commanding, with features like triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors. Loading the second row was easy, thanks to wide rear doors and available captain's chairs. The Ascent offered plenty of storage, including a useful dashboard shelf and large cupholders in the second row. Cargo capacity measured 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows 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 touchscreen 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 could overcome freeway wind noise. The Uconnect system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of 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 Subaru Ascent's base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system included volume and tuning knobs and buttons for shortcuts. The voice recognition technology needed improvement, requiring specific commands for accurate responses. Onyx Edition models used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

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 highly recommended 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 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, reverse automatic braking, and a Starlink Safety and Security subscription plan.