2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen’s gasoline models. It replaced the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners of the body. The ID.4 was part of VW’s EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it boasted a taller ride height and plastic body cladding, it didn’t quite look like an SUV, a common trait among many EV crossovers.

Inside, the ID.4 blended Volkswagen’s minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1St Edition models offered leatherette upholstery. The interior design aimed to push a tech theme, which automakers believed customers wanted, but it also maintained a sense of simplicity and functionality.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe announced its presence with subtle visual cues like a “4xe” badge and sky blue accents, but it was the silent operation in electric mode that truly set it apart. When the battery had enough charge, the Wrangler 4xe moved silently except for the pedestrian notification system, drawing attention as it navigated through Yosemite National Park. The test vehicle, painted Firecracker Red and equipped with Rubicon trim, had a price tag of $66,690, including destination charges.

Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look with some modern touches. Blue seat stitching, charging indicator lights, and special PHEV gauges differentiated it from other Wranglers. The interior featured more soft-touch materials than expected, with leather seats and padded door panels. The layout was practical, with controls for the transmission, emergency brake, and transfer-case lever easily accessible. The Wrangler 4xe’s interior combined purposeful simplicity with better outfitting than previous models, though it still lacked luxury and refinement.

At launch, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was available with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup made it the first rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Volkswagen passenger car sold in the United States since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive (AWD) version, with a second electric motor powering the front wheels, arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.

The RWD configuration provided balanced handling, with the front wheels steering and the rear wheels driving. The electric motor delivered instantaneous torque, making acceleration from stoplights enjoyable. The AWD version added more power and traction, improving performance on twisty roads. However, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty handling, with noticeable body roll in corners but a smooth ride over bumps. Volkswagen chose not to implement aggressive regenerative braking, opting for a more familiar driving experience with friction brakes.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup provided an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving and a total of 370 miles of driving range. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save. In Hybrid mode, the combined power output was 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, allowing the SUV to accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds.

Electric mode enabled pure electric driving, while e-Save preserved battery power for specific situations. During testing, the Wrangler 4xe managed 20 miles of electric driving before the gas engine engaged. On a road trip to Yosemite, the Jeep averaged 20.8 mpg in Hybrid mode. The Wrangler 4xe’s regenerative braking helped recharge the battery during downhill driving, improving overall efficiency. However, the vehicle’s lack of aerodynamic efficiency and wind noise on freeways were notable drawbacks.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, more than some EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk (frunk), but the interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility and substandard rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars.

The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console. However, the console was narrow and close to the floor, limiting storage for larger items. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, providing efficient cabin heating. The seats were comfortable but lacked thigh support, leading to an uncomfortable driving position for some.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to climb into due to high door sills and narrow rear openings. Once inside, the classic Wrangler driving position offered a clear view over the hood and front fenders. Manual front seat height adjusters helped find the best position, but the seats tended to lower over time. The center console had limited storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever, and the glovebox and door storage were not particularly useful.

Rear-seat space was adequate if passengers sat upright, with air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a 115-volt power outlet available. The Wrangler 4xe’s cargo volume was 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a storage bin under the load floor for the charging cord. Folding the back seat increased the maximum volume to 72.4 cubic feet. The swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window could make loading cargo challenging in tight spaces.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system (a 12-inch screen was optional) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. Volkswagen included a natural-language voice-control system, but it was slow to respond.

The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. While it added a futuristic touch, it was easy to forget about after the initial novelty wore off. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon’s technological advancements were related to its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system could overcome wind noise on the freeway.

The Uconnect system was intuitive but showed its age in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel provided charging time estimates, and the five blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard were helpful for viewing charging status. Overall, the Wrangler 4xe’s technology was functional but could benefit from an upgrade to the latest Uconnect 5 system.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the RWD model. Standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were new features for 2021, with Travel Assist providing smooth lane-centering and responsive acceleration and deceleration.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems bundled in the Safety Group (blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors) and the Advanced Safety Group (adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams). The blind-spot warning system was particularly useful due to the Wrangler’s narrow side mirrors. The LED headlights with automatic high beams were effective but rated Marginal by the IIHS.

The IIHS rated the Wrangler’s small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver as Marginal, with the vehicle tipping over in two tests. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler Unlimited a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating and a three-star rating for rollover resistance.