2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept. Despite its striking front styling, the Outlander maintained a balanced and appealing design from the front wheels to the rear bumper. Available in various trims, the Outlander offered standard or optional 20-inch wheels, with prices ranging from $25,795 to $35,345. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD, featured luxurious touches like premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing its upscale interior ambiance. The minimalist interior design, with authentic aluminum accents, was generally well-executed, though some plastics reminded occupants of its compact crossover status.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made its presence known through its unique sound and appearance. While it closely resembled a regular Wrangler, the 4xe stood out with its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) capabilities. The test vehicle, a Rubicon trim, was equipped with over $13,000 in options, bringing its price to $66,690. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler look, with a hose-me-out interior and some soft-touch materials. The driving position was high and close to the steering wheel, offering excellent visibility. However, the center console lacked practical storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. The rear seat provided adequate space, and the cargo area, though limited, was part of the Wrangler's charm.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with front-wheel drive as standard, while the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system was optional. Despite its "super" designation, the S-AWC used a brake-induced torque-vectoring system. The Outlander offered various driving modes, but its performance was underwhelming, especially during acceleration and passing maneuvers. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, resulting in a less-than-smooth ride. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA's 26 mpg rating for AWD models.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup delivered a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Wrangler 4xe to reach 60 mph in six seconds. The battery provided an estimated 21 miles of electric driving, with a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, each catering to different driving needs. During testing, the Wrangler 4xe averaged 19.1 mpg over 757 miles, with 120.9 miles driven on electricity. The vehicle's steering had noticeable on-center slop, and wind noise was prominent on the freeway.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats featuring eight-way power adjustment and heating. The interior design was clean and intuitive, with impressive digital instrumentation and a head-up display (HUD). However, the center console lacked storage space. The rear seat offered generous room and comfort, with the ability to slide for more cargo space. The third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo capacity was limited to 11.7 cubic feet with the third row in use, expanding to 33.5 cubic feet with it folded down, and a maximum of 79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to enter and exit due to its high door sills and lack of side steps. Once inside, occupants found the Wrangler comfortable, with a classic driving position offering excellent visibility. The center console had limited storage, and the rear seat space was adequate for upright seating. The cargo area, with a swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window, was part of the Wrangler's charm but posed challenges in tight spaces. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a maximum of 72.4 cubic feet when the seat was folded down.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured standout technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. The vehicle also offered wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technology focused on its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. The Alpine sound system could overcome wind noise, but the Uconnect system showed signs of aging in terms of load time and responsiveness. The Trip Summary data panel provided helpful charging information, and the dashboard's charging indicator lights offered a quick view of the battery status.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander included the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist. It offered smooth and accurate assistance but required hands-on operation. The Outlander also featured common driver-assist technologies like forward collision avoidance and blind-spot warning. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems in the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. The Wrangler's LED headlights received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, and the vehicle had a Marginal rating for small-overlap frontal-impact protection. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler Unlimited a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.