2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Ford Expedition

When shopping for a 2022 Jeep Wrangler, buyers had to choose between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Depending on this choice, they could select from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The standard six-speed manual transmission could be upgraded to an eight-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, with multiple systems available depending on the trim level. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. The High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim, featured LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield, and the Xtreme Recon package, which included a 1.5-inch suspension lift and 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires. The test vehicle, equipped with a gasoline V6 engine with eTorque mild hybrid electrification, an automatic transmission, and Selec-Trac full-time 4WD, had an MSRP of $58,845.

The 2022 Ford Expedition received several updates, including exterior styling revisions and updated infotainment tech. The front featured a new grille, headlights, and bumper, while the rear had revised taillights, tailgate trim, and a new bumper. Redesigned wheels were introduced across the model lineup. The Expedition came in XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, with standard and extended-length (Expedition Max) body styles. Prices ranged from just over $55,000 to just under $84,000. The new Timberline trim, priced around $72,500, added standard 4WD, all-terrain tires, suspension modifications, more ground clearance, a skid plate, and off-roading tech. The Stealth Edition packages, available only with Limited trim, added black 22-inch wheels, large “EXPEDITION” lettering on the hood, and a mixture of blacked-out and body-color exterior trim. The test vehicle, a Stone Blue Metallic Limited Stealth Edition, had an MSRP of $80,155 and included 4WD, extra-cost paint, the Stealth Package, a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, and the larger Sync 4A infotainment touchscreen.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide was powered by 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. The test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. According to the EPA, the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 should get 21 mpg in combined driving, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg over a week and 435 miles of driving. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique and immersive, with a rough-and-tumble feel, frequent fuel stops, and a loud cabin. Despite its quirks, the Wrangler offered a sense of freedom and adventure, making it a beloved off-roader.

The 2022 Ford Expedition used a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 380 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm (400 hp and 480 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel). The test vehicle did not have the high-output version, which would have produced 440 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine drove the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD as an option. Fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg to 19 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 16.2 mpg. The Expedition's powertrain could tow between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds, depending on the model and equipment. The test vehicle's sport-tuned suspension contributed to a sometimes harsh ride quality, but the Expedition was easy to park and excelled on the highway, making it ideal for long road trips.

Getting into and out of the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was challenging, especially with the High Tide’s raised suspension. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler’s seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and a mix of plastic and rubber interior materials. Visibility was a mixed bag, 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 similar entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. Storage options were limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, and a deep center console box. The tailgate, with the heavy 35-inch wheel, required careful handling. Cargo space measured 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered exceptional comfort and ease of entry, thanks to available power running boards. The test vehicle had power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The wide console contained a huge storage bin, hidden cupholders, and a concealed cubby with a wireless smartphone charging pad. Second-row passengers enjoyed heated captain’s chairs with plenty of legroom, their own climate controls, and cupholders. Loading the third-row seat was easy, with generous pass-through space. Third-row passengers found comfortable seating with power recline, storage trays, and USB ports. Cargo room measured 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo space.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on 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 infotainment system offered upgrades such as satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but the test vehicle did not have these features. The Wrangler High Tide included remote engine starting, satellite radio, a passive keyless entry system, 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 2022 Ford Expedition featured Ford’s next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The standard Sync 4 system included a 12-inch touchscreen display, while Sync 4A offered a larger 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a Wi-Fi hotspot, natural voice recognition, and a connected navigation system. Higher trim levels added features such as SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless smartphone charging, and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems. The test vehicle had the 12-speaker B&O audio system, but the 22-speaker B&O Unleashed sound system was available on higher-end models. The Expedition also offered Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 with Trailer Reverse Guidance and an upgraded dual-touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

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 received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Marginal ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for small overlap crash-test protection and side-impact protection. Headlight performance was rated Poor for standard headlights and Marginal for LED upgrades.

The 2022 Ford Expedition grouped its driving-assistance systems into three Ford Co-Pilot360 collections. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a driver monitoring system, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, speed-limit-sign recognition, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package, standard on King Ranch and Platinum trims, included a surround-view camera system, rear automatic emergency braking, and Active Park Assist 2.0. The Expedition also offered Road Edge Detection and Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. The adaptive cruise control performed smoothly, but the lane-centering assist had some issues with accuracy and reliability.