2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue had embraced a handsome new styling with a noticeably more technical appearance, making it genuinely look like an SUV rather than a car. Its lower perimeter was covered with dark gray plastic cladding, emphasized by bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection. This combination conveyed a ruggedness that might have come off as overly audacious on the back bumper.

Clean LED lighting elements and a prominent V-Motion grille were other key aspects that paired well with the proper proportioning to lend the Rogue a modern and sleek aesthetic. Trim levels included aluminum wheels that were sized up to 19 inches in diameter, and an optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment provided a custom look. The Rogue came in four versions: S, SV, SL, and the new-for-2021 Platinum, with prices ranging from $25,650 up to $35,430, plus $1,095 in destination charges.

Our test model was a Rogue SL, featuring an Almond colored leather interior, a standard panoramic glass sunroof, and an overall emphasis on spaciousness and light. The cabin exuded quality, thanks to abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars. Control arrangements were clean and logical. The Platinum trim upped the luxury quotient with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. The climate control panel, however, had a somewhat retro aesthetic reminiscent of an old-school digital clock from the 1980s, and surprisingly, the Rogue still offered a CD player.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe announced its presence as much through its sound as its looks. A single "4xe" badge, blue tow hooks, and accents differentiated it from a regular Wrangler, along with a power port at the left base of the windshield. Interestingly, when running solely on its battery, the Wrangler 4xe was silent except for its pedestrian notification system’s whine, catching many eyes.

Our test Wrangler 4xe, painted in Firecracker Red and equipped with Rubicon trim, incorporated over $13,000 in options, bringing its price to $66,690, including destination charges. Available trims included Sahara and High Altitude, with base prices starting below $50,000.

The Wrangler 4xe's interior mirrored that of other four-door Wranglers but added blue stitching, charging indicator lights, and special PHEV gauges. Leather seats and padded upper door panels added a surprising touch of softness compared to the usual rugged interior. Controls adhered to a form-follows-function design, with essential controls for the transmission, emergency brake, and 4WD system within easy reach, hinting at its off-roading pedigree. Despite its simplicity, the Wrangler 4xe's interior was better equipped than any previous Wrangler, though it fell short of luxury or refinement.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Nissan Rogue's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque seemed underpowered for its nearly 3,500-pound weight. While adequate for daily driving, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a commendable job leveraging the available torque, mimicking the behavior of a traditional automatic through programmed ratios and paddle shifters. However, adventuring into rougher terrains, especially with AWD, revealed its limitations, especially in mountain areas where a turbocharged option would have been more efficient.

Nissan hinted at the possibility of a more powerful, turbocharged engine in the future, similar to the variable-compression turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in its Altima sedan and Infiniti QX50. Meanwhile, different driving modes, such as Sport and Eco, offered some respite in driving dynamics and fuel efficiency. During a testing loop, the Rogue SL with FWD achieved 27.5 mpg, falling short of the official EPA rating by 1.5 mpg. Its new, robust architecture, comprising 35% high-strength steel, and a fine-tuned suspension system provided a smooth and predictable ride, with improved steering feel compared to its predecessor.

Jeep, on the other hand, equipped the Wrangler 4xe with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, two electric motors, and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This hybrid system offered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, facilitating impressive acceleration from 0-60 mph in six seconds. Three powertrain modes—Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save—allowed for versatile performance depending on the driving situation. For example, Hybrid mode optimizes power or efficiency, while Electric mode operates the vehicle solely on electric power until additional oomph from the turbo engine is necessary. E-Save mode preserved battery power for specific uses, which was particularly useful during challenging terrains.

During a road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe showcased its electric driving range of 21 miles, overall fuel economy of 20 mpg combined, and a total driving range of 370 miles. The electric-only drive was particularly efficient during descents, capturing regenerative energy to recharge the battery. The hybrid SUV showed some weaknesses in aerodynamics and steering precision on the highway, struggling against crosswinds and requiring constant correction.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed to replicate a stress-free seating position with its Zero Gravity seat designs. This attempt resulted in more comfortable seating compared to its predecessor. Depending on the trim level, the seats ranged from cloth in the base trim to premium leather in the Platinum trim, with options for heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel. However, ventilated seats were not available despite the manufacturer’s summer-centric location.

Nissan's air conditioning system varied with the trim, with the S trim featuring standard AC, the SV trim adding dual-zone automatic climate control, and both the SL and Platinum trims offering a triple-zone system. The Rogue was designed to accommodate child safety seats conveniently across its rear bench, showing improvement in rear-seat headroom and legroom. Quietness was another area of enhancement, thanks to aerodynamic improvements and better insulation.

Storage in the Rogue was practical with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console, door-panel pockets accommodating large bottles, and a practical center armrest bin. Cargo capacity stood at 31.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up (in S and SV trims) and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo area to a class-competitive 74.1 cubic feet.

Climbing into the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe could be challenging due to the high door sills and narrow rear openings. However, once inside, passengers found the seats comfortable, with manual front seat height adjusters and optional heated front seats and steering wheel enhancing comfort. Storage, though limited due to the presence of the hand-brake and transfer case lever, included a small center console bin, glovebox, and door-panel netting.

Rear-seat passengers had access to air conditioning vents, charging ports, and storage straps, although seating was more upright, providing excellent visibility. The Wrangler's cargo area measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the second row, which was slightly reduced due to the PHEV system. A storage bin under the load floor housed the charging cord, but other elements like the Alpine subwoofer and the storage bag for removable roof panels compromised available space. With the rear seats folded, cargo capacity maxed out at 72.4 cubic feet.

For 2021, the Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package with features that varied depending on the trim. The base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, plus a free trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The Jeep Wrangler 4xe focused its technological advancements on its hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. However, it did include a comprehensive Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM Guardian services. A WiFi connection was also available, and the Alpine sound system could overcome wind noise, though loud volume hampered conversation. The system, while intuitive, showed signs of aging, particularly concerning load time and responsiveness. Noteworthy was the Trip Summary data panel and the charging indicator lights on the dashboard, providing useful information on the battery status.

Nissan equipped the 2021 Rogue with a robust set of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Starting with the SV trim, ProPilot Assist with lane-centering assist and navigation-linked adaptive cruise control was added, further enhancing safety.

As for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, it offered several ADAS through the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. While the IIHS rated the Jeep’s LED headlights as Marginal, its small-overlap frontal-impact protection for the driver also received a Marginal rating. The Wrangler Unlimited earned a four-star frontal-impact crash rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.