2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with a design that had remained largely unchanged over the years. Its distinctive features, such as circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges, made it instantly recognizable. The Wrangler's rugged appearance, reminiscent of a toy truck for adults, appealed to those seeking a vehicle with a strong personality. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could be customized with painted or exposed fenders, soft or hard tops, and other styling touches, but its core elements remained unmistakable. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized function over comfort, with an upright seating position, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments. For the right driver, these characteristics added to its charm rather than detracting from it.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a unique appearance that combined elements from other Genesis models with its own distinct style. The GV70 featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a more athletic, car-like profile. The Sport Prestige models added unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim. The interior of the GV70 was designed with an elliptical theme, inspired by an airplane's wing, and featured a minimalistic layout with a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents. The GV70's interior offered a range of color options and luxurious materials, making it a stylish and comfortable choice for those seeking a more refined driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and the powerful Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 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 off-road capabilities were enhanced by three four-wheel-drive systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with features like front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transformed the Wrangler into an off-road supercar, offering impressive power for both on-road and off-road adventures.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode further enhanced performance by holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. While it excelled in highway cruising, the GV70's firm ride and lack of precision in steering limited its appeal for spirited driving.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black cloth soft top, and the Freedom top, a three-piece hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, providing a convenient way to enjoy the open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and effective 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, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though wheel-wells and roll-bars could limit larger items.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. It provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The GV70's daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. However, it included a covered storage cubby with USB ports and rear-seat climate controls. The Sport Prestige test car featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's technology offerings varied by trim. The base Sport model 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 larger screens featured crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, complemented by radio toggles on the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Its tile-based layout and crisp graphics made it user-friendly, while the glass rotary controller added functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services included remote camera activation, driver profiles, and more, enhancing the GV70's tech appeal.

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 included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. It also featured eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were not available, the GV70's safety features impressed during testing.