2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a range of models priced between $33,745 and $54,495, excluding a $1,495 destination charge. The lineup expanded with the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, and the new ST-Line added a sporty look to the XLT version. The King Ranch model, tested with 4WD, Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, had an MSRP of $59,880. Despite its King Ranch emblems, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, it didn't visually stand out much from other trims. The Explorer's rear-drive platform allowed for a long, tall hood and a rakish roofline, giving it an athletic appearance. Inside, the King Ranch featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding, but the cabin exhibited a mix of quality and questionable materials for its price point.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler required buyers to choose between a two-door or four-door model, and then select from various engines, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. The price range was from about $30,000 to $80,000, excluding the destination charge. The High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim, added LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The Xtreme Recon package included a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. The High Tide model, with a gasoline V6 engine, automatic transmission, and various packages, had an MSRP of $58,845. The Wrangler's interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and plastic and rubber materials, but it offered a unique and immersive driving experience.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD, with 4WD available. This engine had a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and provided up to 24 mpg in combined driving. The Limited trim had an optional hybrid drivetrain based on a 3.3-liter V6 engine, making a combined 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 5,000 lbs, and returning up to 27 mpg in combined driving. The hybrid came with RWD or 4WD and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, standard on the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, produced 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 lbs and a maximum gas mileage of 21 mpg in combined driving. The King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg. The Explorer offered a robust ride, capable off-roading, and athletic handling, especially with the sport-tuned ST trim.

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 test vehicle had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The EPA rated the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 at 21 mpg in combined driving, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 17.6 mpg on the evaluation route and 16.8 mpg over a week of driving. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique, with a rough-and-tumble feel, loud cabin, vague steering, and touchy brakes. It offered an immersive experience, especially with the top and doors removed, but required frequent stops at gas stations and had a high level of noise and vibration.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided plenty of comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five people with a second-row bench seat. However, the third-row seat was only suitable for children due to the rear-drive platform, low rear roofline, and tapered tail. The King Ranch model had triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second-row seats were nearly as accommodating. However, the third-row seat was difficult for adults to access and lacked legroom. The Explorer's cabin had limited practical storage space, with missed opportunities for additional storage. The King Ranch had a hands-free power liftgate, revealing 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 47.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit difficult, especially for shorter or less-limber people. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and plastic and rubber materials. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring acclimation. Visibility was mixed, with some areas offering excellent views and others compromised. Rear-seat passengers faced the same entry and exit difficulties, but once inside, they had agreeable accommodations with air conditioning vents, cupholders, and large grab handles. Storage was limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, a small center console box, and a narrow glove compartment. The tailgate, with the 35-inch spare wheel, was heavy and required caution when opening. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system: an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The smaller screen was well integrated, while the larger screen appeared as an afterthought. The King Ranch model had the full menu of Sync 3 technology, including FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. It also featured wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system. However, the Sync 3 system had limitations, particularly with voice recognition and operating various features using spoken commands. The King Ranch also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, which could autonomously park the Explorer. An available rear-seat entertainment system came with dual rear touchscreen displays.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had relatively basic infotainment technology with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades such as satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but the test vehicle did not have this option. The Wrangler High Tide 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, extending the open-air driving season.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for all trims. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 model, but the previous year’s model earned five-star ratings except for rollover resistance, which received four stars. The Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot360, a collection of driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also had a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable vehicle functions. The Co-Pilot360 and Co-Pilot360 Assist+ systems operated smoothly and accurately, with minor issues such as sensitivity to the driver’s hands on the steering wheel.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler's small side mirrors and tall center of gravity made the Safety Group a worthy upgrade, while the Advanced Safety Group was more of a nice-to-have feature. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for protection in the IIHS's left front small overlap crash-test evaluation. The Wrangler also received a Marginal rating in the new side-impact test and Poor to Marginal ratings for headlight performance. Safety features were optional rather than standard, and the Wrangler's crash-test ratings suggested it needed to be driven with extra care.