2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of the Swedish brand now under Chinese ownership by Geely Holding Group, showcased a refined and elegant design. Built on Volvo’s SPA platform, the XC60 shared its architecture with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. Its exterior featured a sophisticated two-box design with short overhangs, an upright grille with Volvo’s iron mark logo, and distinctive Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian design, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, though initially controversial, had become more accepted by 2021. The cabin’s details, such as the elegant HVAC vents, added to the near-luxury feel of the XC60.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide edition was a rugged off-roader with a unique character. Available in both two-door and four-door models, the Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, and plug-in hybrid. The High Tide model, based on the four-door Sport S trim, featured a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 35-inch BF Goodrich tires, and a host of other off-road enhancements. The Wrangler’s interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and a mix of plastic and rubber materials. Despite its rough-and-tumble nature, the Wrangler provided a unique and immersive driving experience, especially with the top and doors removed.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with both a turbocharger and supercharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed these figures to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and secure driving experience, making it an excellent road-trip car. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with the T8 achieving 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide was equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was also included. The EPA estimated fuel economy for the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 at 21 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed an average of 16.8 mpg. The Wrangler’s driving experience was unique, with loud cabin noise, vague steering, and a rough ride. However, it excelled in off-road conditions, providing an immersive and adventurous experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling sub-freezing temperatures. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The interior featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a practical and comfortable vehicle for daily use.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, with its raised suspension, made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. The interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and a mix of plastic and rubber materials. The driving position was close to the steering wheel and dashboard, requiring some acclimation. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The tailgate, with its heavy 35-inch spare tire, required careful handling.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, a tablet-style touchpad interface with a portrait orientation. The system divided the screen into function quadrants, making it intuitive for frequent iPad users. It included Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test vehicle was exceptional, providing high-quality sound.

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 optional Uconnect 8.4 system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system. The test vehicle 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 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo’s commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Volvo also restricted the top speed of its vehicles to 112 mph for safety.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group, adding features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, the Wrangler’s crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS for small overlap and side-impact tests. The Wrangler’s safety features were optional rather than standard, and its ratings suggested the need for extra caution while driving.