2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

When considering the 2022 Jeep Wrangler, buyers had to make several key decisions right off the bat. Should they opt for the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model? Depending on that initial choice, decisions about powertrain followed, with options such as a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The turbo-four and V6 engines came with a standard six-speed manual transmission, though an upgrade to an eight-speed automatic was available.

The Jeep Wrangler was offered in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with special editions layering additional features and stylistic choices. These models boasted variations in tops, including fabric soft tops, black hardtops, body-color hardtops, and the Sky One-Touch Power-Top.

Our test Jeep was the High Tide special edition, based on the Sport S trim. This model added features such as LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield upgrade, sand-and-slush floor mats, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The Xtreme Recon package, which was a standout feature of the High Tide edition, included a 1.5-inch suspension lift, revised shock tuning, beadlock-capable wheels, and massive BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires.

The 2022 Wrangler High Tide, priced around $58,845, stood out with its Hydro Blue paint and numerous optional packages, making it a formidable sight. However, despite its rugged aesthetics and extensive options, the interior remained rather spartan, echoing its utilitarian roots.

Comparatively, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a modernist and reductive design ethos, characterized by clean lines and simplicity. Land Rover offered limited flashy elements, such as Firenze Red paint and 23-inch diamond-turned wheels, which contrasted with its otherwise subdued luxury.

Our test Range Rover Sport, coated in Eiger Gray with silver wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated elegance. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim created a luxurious ambiance.

The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e trim levels. Highlights of its design included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and a low coefficient of drag at 0.29. The interior was high-tech, featuring Windsor leather upholstery and sustainable Ultrafabrics, making it a feast for the senses.

The contrasting philosophies between the rugged, adventurous Jeep Wrangler and the refined, luxurious Range Rover Sport were evident. While the Wrangler focused on utility and off-road prowess, the Range Rover Sport appealed to those seeking sophistication and comfort.

Our 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide came equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine and eTorque mild hybrid system, providing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission, a mandatory $4,000 option, coupled with the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system, ensured versatility on diverse terrains.

However, the Wrangler's EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 mpg in combined driving was a bit optimistic. On our evaluation route, we averaged 17.6 mpg, and over 435 miles of driving, the figure dropped to 16.8 mpg. While this isn't great, it wasn’t unexpected given the Wrangler's rugged design. The Wrangler was notorious for its loud cabin, vague steering, harsh ride, and touchy brakes—characteristics that can be off-putting but are embraced by Wrangler enthusiasts.

Driving a Wrangler was an immersive experience involving all senses, from feeling every road bump to hearing and smelling the surrounding environment. It wasn’t calming but offered a unique sense of adventure and freedom.

In contrast, the 2023 Range Rover Sport stood as a dual-purpose vehicle aiming for both refinement and off-road capability. Equipped with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid technology, it produced 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic P400 trim. This drivetrain promised a 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds, driving power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and intelligent AWD system, with a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds.

Fuel efficiency was commendable, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving. During our test, it slightly exceeded expectations with an average of 22.3 mpg on mixed routes and even reached 25.1 mpg in highway driving.

The Range Rover Sport boasted a new architecture providing 35% increased torsional stiffness, adaptive damping air suspension, Dynamic driving mode, and a suite of handling aids. Despite these efforts, the Range Rover Sport fell short compared to more sport-tuned competitors when navigating winding roads, displaying a tendency to roll and a heavy steering feel that wasn't entirely engaging. Off-road, it excelled, handling rugged terrains with ease thanks to extensive technological off-road aids.

Entering and exiting the 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide posed a challenge, further exacerbated by its raised suspension. While the seats were comfortable with durable cloth upholstery, the interior was dominated by plastic and rubber materials. The driving position, close to the wheel and dashboard, took some getting used to. Visibility was a mix; excellent for ground viewing but obstructed by the large spare tire and narrow rear window.

The rear seats offered agreeable accommodations, though access was hampered by rear wheel wells and narrow door openings. Cargo space measured 31.7 cubic feet with seats up, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet when folded, though loading was cumbersome due to the heavy tailgate with a 35-inch tire.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured the Range Rover Command Driving Position, combining a high, airy feel with a low dashboard and upright windshield. Its air suspension could lower for easier access, a boon for shorter individuals. The front seats, wrapped in Windsor leather, were incredibly comfortable and came with numerous luxury features, including heated and ventilated seats and optional massage functionality.

Rear seat space improved over predecessors, although legroom was still tight for taller passengers. Entry and exit were somewhat impeded by narrow door openings and hard front seatback panels. Cargo capacity stood at 31.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53 cubic feet with seats folded—slightly less than the Wrangler, but still ample for most needs. Additional features included a power liftgate and controls for lowering the suspension to facilitate loading.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, possessed basic infotainment technology, featuring a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While an 8.4-inch Uconnect system with satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, and navigation was available, the smaller system sufficed for most needs. Additional tech included remote engine start, satellite radio, and single-zone automatic climate control with air filtration. The Cold Weather Group added heated seats and a steering wheel, useful for extending open-air driving seasons.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrument display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and connected services. While the Pivi Pro system could theoretically learn user habits, in practice, it often proved confusing and uncooperative. Notably, its voice assistant struggled with basic tasks like finding nearby locations.

However, the Range Rover Sport did offer impressive audio options, including Meridian systems with up to 29 speakers and next-gen Active Noise Cancellation. Also included was a wireless smartphone charging pad, though its positioning made device retrieval somewhat difficult.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide came with optional Safety and Advanced Safety Groups. These added features like 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, safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were concerning, with mediocre rollover resistance and Marginal ratings in frontal crash tests.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included numerous standard safety features: forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. It also offered Remote Park Assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, though this system occasionally proved slow and unresponsive. Lane-keeping assist underperformed, especially on non-standard freeway curves, requiring driver intervention.