2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which debuted in 2005, was still in its second generation. The current generation, introduced in 2014, received a significant refresh in 2018, which carried over into 2021. This refresh included a dual-screen center console that became a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. A plug-in hybrid variant was introduced in 2020, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Range Rover Sport offered various trims, including SE, HSE Silver, HST, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography, SVR, and SVR Carbon Edition. The base SE trim featured leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Meridian sound system, a WiFi hotspot, and the dual-screen infotainment system. Higher trims added features like quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, and a 19-speaker Meridian sound system. The HSE Dynamic trim boasted a supercharged V8 engine, while the Autobiography trim offered 22-way power-adjustable front seats and power soft-close doors. The SVR models focused on performance with a more powerful V8 engine and sport seats.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler required buyers to choose between a classic two-door or a more practical four-door model. Engine options included a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid powertrain. The turbo-four and V6 engines came standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with an eight-speed automatic as an upgrade. Four-wheel drive was standard, with multiple systems available depending on the trim level.

The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. The High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim, added features like LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, and a Gorilla Glass windshield. The Xtreme Recon package included a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. The High Tide model also featured a gasoline V6 engine with eTorque mild hybrid electrification, an automatic transmission, and Selec-Trac full-time 4WD.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered several powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, found in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more potent P400 powertrain, rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition was also available with plug-in hybrid or diesel powertrains. The P400e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with electric assist for 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 made 254 hp and 443 lb-ft.

The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The SVR and SVR Carbon Edition received a more powerful version of this engine, making 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The Range Rover Sport also featured height-adjustable air suspension and a Terrain Response system with multiple modes for various terrains. It could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide had a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option on the High Tide. The test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg for the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg over a week of driving.

Driving a Jeep Wrangler was a unique and immersive experience, engaging all senses. It was loud, with vague steering, a rough ride, and touchy brakes. However, it excelled in off-road conditions, providing a sense of freedom and adventure. The Wrangler's character and capabilities encouraged exploration, making it a beloved choice for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row of seating increased the seating capacity from five to seven, but with the third row in use, cargo space was limited to 10.8 cubic feet. Both the first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the optional third row was best suited for children.

Getting into and out of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was challenging, especially with the High Tide’s raised suspension. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler’s seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring some acclimation. Visibility varied, with some areas offering excellent views and others being compromised.

Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties, but once inside, they found agreeable accommodations with a good view. Storage options were limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, and a small but deep center console box. The tailgate, with the 35-inch wheel, was heavy and required caution when opening. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport’s interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console. The lower screen controlled climate settings and vehicle settings, while the upper screen housed the infotainment system. The system had a learning curve and was not always intuitive, but the pair of dials integrated into the lower screen provided some versatility. The upper touchscreen had reasonably sized icons for switching between menus and accessing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Despite some usability issues, the system was functional.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, had a relatively basic infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but the test vehicle’s setup was sufficient. The Wrangler High Tide also included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Other available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and parallel and perpendicular park assist. A head-up display was also available.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included both the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler’s safety ratings were less impressive, with a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS in various tests. Safety features were optional, and the Wrangler required extra care when driving.