2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Ford Explorer

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 options like painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, but it always maintained its unmistakable identity. Inside, the Wrangler was not built for comfort; it had an upright seating position, limited legroom, and seats adjusted with awkward ripcords. However, for the right type of driver, these quirks added to its charm.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered a more refined and modern appearance. The King Ranch trim, in particular, featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding. The Explorer's rear-drive platform allowed for a long and tall hood, short front overhang, and a rakish roofline, giving it a taut, athletic look. Inside, the King Ranch trim came with triple-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs, making it a comfortable choice for families.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and the powerful Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired 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 trim featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 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, each catering to different off-roading needs.

The 2022 Ford Explorer came with three powertrain options. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid drivetrain, available for the Limited and Platinum trims, combined a 3.3-liter V6 engine with an electric motor to produce 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine generating 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,600 lbs and a combined fuel economy of up to 27 mpg for the hybrid variant.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic 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, allowed for easy open-air driving. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It 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 2022 Ford Explorer offered ample comfort for families, especially in the King Ranch trim, which included triple-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited legroom and accessibility. Practical storage space within the cabin was somewhat lacking, but the Explorer featured a hands-free power liftgate and provided 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 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 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system: an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.1-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The King Ranch trim included FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. It also featured wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system. However, the Sync 3 system's voice recognition was less reliable compared to newer Sync 4 technology.

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

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and had not yet received complete crash-test ratings from the NHTSA for 2022. It came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also featured a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable vehicle functions.