2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch, fitting nicely with the rest of the Volvo lineup. It featured “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge was distinguished by a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, model-specific alloy wheels, a gloss black roof, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials like Nappa leather and Nubuck textile, and a coherent design that melded elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents into a pleasing whole.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler required buyers to choose between a classic two-door or a more practical four-door model, with multiple engine options including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The Wrangler came in four core trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. Our test vehicle, the High Tide special edition, featured a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. The interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and plastic and rubber materials, but it offered a unique and immersive driving experience that engaged all the senses.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge on top. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, had 402 hp and 486 lb-ft from its dual electric motors, with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, and it had a towing capacity of 2,000 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, and the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was great for slippery roads. The EPA rated the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 at 21 mpg in combined driving, but our test vehicle averaged 16.8 mpg over a week. The Wrangler offered a unique driving experience, engaging all the senses and providing a sense of freedom and adventure, but it required frequent stops at the gas station and had a rough-and-tumble driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40 had clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped to hold a phone, and a wireless charging pad was optional. However, second-row occupants didn’t have any phone-charging options.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide’s raised suspension made entry and exit difficult, especially for shorter or less-limber people. The driver’s seat had a manual height adjuster, but it required regular re-adjustment. The seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery, and the driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield. Visibility was mixed, with some areas requiring leaning forward to see traffic lights and the 35-inch spare tire blocking part of the rear view. Rear-seat passengers faced the same entry and exit difficulties but had agreeable accommodations once aboard. Storage was limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, and small but deep center console and glove compartments. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, while gasoline models continued with the previous system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability for the infotainment system and other vehicle functions, and it lacked a start button, allowing the driver to simply get in and shift out of park.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The larger Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but our test vehicle didn’t have it. The Wrangler High Tide included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system, and heated front seats and steering wheel from the Cold Weather Group.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with a long list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Wrangler had poor crash-test ratings, with a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS for small overlap and side-impact tests. Safety features were optional rather than standard, and the Wrangler required extra care when driving.