2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle design updates from 2018. The Nightshade Special Edition added a touch of modernity with its blacked-out features, but the overall design still harked back to its 2007 roots. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin was spacious, though the design felt dated with its multi-tiered dash and small 7-inch touchscreen. The front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample space and comfort. The Sequoia came in various trims, each adding unique features, from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe stood out with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, marked by subtle blue accents and a power port. Its silent electric mode turned heads, especially in natural settings like Yosemite National Park. The Rubicon trim, painted in Firecracker Red, was well-equipped with over $13,000 in options, pushing its price to $66,690. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler feel with a high driving position and clear views. The interior was functional, with some modern touches like blue stitching and PHEV-specific displays. However, storage was limited due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. The Wrangler's charm lay in its rugged design, though it lacked the luxury and refinement of other SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration despite the SUV's hefty weight of up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe. The Sequoia's wide stance helped manage body roll in corners, but its fuel economy was hampered by the older transmission.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour battery, producing a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, allowing drivers to optimize power and efficiency. In Hybrid mode, the Wrangler 4xe could accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds. The battery provided an estimated 21 miles of electric driving, with a total range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its upgraded 4WD system, though its aerodynamic inefficiency affected battery performance on highways.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 120 cubic feet with all seats folded. This was slightly less than competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, offering convenient access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided ample storage with deep door pockets and a large center console.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to enter and exit due to its high door sills and lack of side steps on the Rubicon trim. Once inside, the Wrangler offered a classic driving position with clear views. The interior was functional, though storage was limited due to the center console's design. Rear-seat space was adequate, with amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The Wrangler's cargo area measured 27.7 cubic feet, with a maximum of 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear window added to the Wrangler's charm but could be inconvenient in tight spaces.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the expansive dash. The system was user-friendly, with simple menus and large buttons. The digital trip computer was basic but easy to navigate, offering a straightforward experience despite its dated appearance.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon came with an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. The system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of load time and graphics. The Alpine sound system was powerful enough to overcome wind noise on the highway. The Wrangler 4xe also featured helpful displays for its hybrid powertrain, including charging status indicators and trip summary data.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the Sequoia's older platform resulted in a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, with no further crash test ratings available.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems through the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. The Wrangler's LED headlights received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, while its frontal-impact protection was rated Marginal due to a tendency to tip over. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover rating.