2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Ford Expedition

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks with painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. Despite these variations, the core elements that made the Wrangler unmistakable on the road remained consistent. Inside, the Wrangler was not as comfortable as car-based SUVs, with upright seating, limited legroom, and somewhat awkward seat adjustments. However, for the right type of driver, these quirks added to the vehicle's charm.

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum, on the other hand, exuded luxury and comfort. It featured Magnetic gray paint, four-wheel drive, a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, an electronic limited-slip differential, and second-row captain’s chairs. The Expedition's plush and roomy interior was a welcome sight for tired travelers. However, the regular-length model struggled to accommodate more than five people and their luggage simultaneously. The extended-length Expedition MAX would have been a better choice for those needing more cargo space. The Platinum trim boasted an intricately detailed chrome grille, massive 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and tastefully applied brightwork, making it a good-looking vehicle.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and the powerful Hemi V8. Most buyers opted for the standard 3.6-liter V6, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's 4WD systems, such as Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, catered to various off-roading needs. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. It featured beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2021 Ford Expedition came equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and either rear-wheel drive or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in most trims, while the Platinum trim received a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the specification. The SUV's acceleration was impressive, even with a full load of passengers and cargo. The Platinum trim's 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, but the adaptive damping suspension and four-wheel independent suspension ensured a stable ride. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, added off-road capabilities, including a two-speed transfer case, electronic limited-slip rear differential, and off-road shocks.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black cloth soft top, and classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Sky one-touch power top, featured on the Rubicon 392, provided a convenient way to enjoy the open-air Jeep experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility. The power-deploying running boards made it easy to climb aboard, and the large, wide seats accommodated passengers comfortably, including those in the third row. The Expedition's independent rear suspension ensured comfort in every seating position. Storage for odds and ends was plentiful, with cargo volume expanding from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down. The maximum volume behind the front seats measured 104.6 cubic feet. The Expedition MAX offered even more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen for radio and vehicle settings. The 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The sharp 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available. The larger screens featured crisp graphics and easy-to-read layouts, complemented by intuitive radio toggles on the back of the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen display. While the user interface remained friendly, the display looked small and was sometimes slow to respond. Sync 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. Amazon Alexa compatibility and enhanced voice recognition were also part of the system. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. The available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system included dual viewing screens, a DVD player, gaming system inputs, and the ability to stream content from a mobile device.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a safety advantage due to its weight, earning a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. However, its rollover-resistance rating was three stars with RWD and four stars with 4WD. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a semi-autonomous parking assistance system, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.