2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 BMW X3

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. However, the core elements remained unmistakable, making the Wrangler a unique presence on the road. Inside, the Wrangler was all about function over comfort, with upright seating, limited legroom, and seats adjusted using somewhat awkward ripcords. For the right type of driver, these features added charm rather than inconvenience.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW X3 presented a more aggressive exterior design with a slightly larger kidney grille and slimmer adaptive full LED headlights. The rear featured new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The X3 offered a variety of exterior updates, including an M Sport Package and new paint options. Inside, the X3 boasted a clean and efficient design with dark oak wood trim, eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The cabin was well-appointed, offering a comfortable and practical space for five adults, although the rear middle seat was best suited for smaller passengers.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Wrangler also offered three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, catering to various off-roading needs.

The 2022 BMW X3 came standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The X3 sDrive30i and xDrive30i were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. Fuel economy for the sDrive30i was 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i offered 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The X3 M40i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The M40i's fuel economy was 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a 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 experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 BMW X3 provided a spacious and comfortable interior with seating for five adults. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, offering ample cargo room for backpacks and additional luggage. A power tailgate was standard, with an optional hands-free opening. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the upgraded Vernasca leather adding more softness. The X3's redesigned center console featured a 10.25-inch infotainment system, with an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. The vehicle's ergonomics were improved, with easier accessibility to frequent touchpoints and a smudge-free matte finish for the buttons.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while the 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, offering crisp graphics and easy-to-read layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured 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 2022 BMW X3 featured BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, including a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Standard features included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, two USB ports, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and various connected digital features. The optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches. The X3 also offered a 12-speaker 205-watt HiFi sound system, with an optional Harman Kardon surround sound system for M40i models. Additional tech options included a Convenience Package and a Premium Package, adding features like a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and a head-up display.

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 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision avoidance, park distance control with auto braking, and forward-collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection. The available Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus, active park distance control, and a 360-degree surround camera view. The Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, back-up assistant, front cross-traffic alert, active lane-keep assist, and side collision avoidance.