2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave it a compact appearance despite its spacious interior. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions, making it ideal for families. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, navy blue exterior, unique styling, ambient lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander was available in several trims, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious, including a power liftgate, heated and ventilated seats, and a premium audio system.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler was known for its rugged and iconic design, available in both two-door and four-door models. Buyers could choose from a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid. The Wrangler offered four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions like the High Tide model. This edition featured a raised suspension, LED lighting, and a unique Sunrider Fliptop. The Wrangler's interior was basic but durable, with a focus on off-road capability and open-air driving experiences.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The Highlander offered a smooth driving experience with a sport-tuned suspension in the XSE trim, providing good handling and reduced body roll. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for moderate towing needs.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The Wrangler's fuel economy was lower, averaging 16.8 mpg during testing. Known for its off-road prowess, the Wrangler offered a unique driving experience, though it required frequent fuel stops and had a rough ride with vague steering.

The Toyota Highlander provided up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, 48.4 cubic feet with the second row in use, and 16 cubic feet behind the third row. It featured easy-to-use quick-release latches and pull-straps for seat adjustments. The interior was well-designed with ample storage, including deep door pockets and a spacious center console. The XSE trim offered second-row captain's chairs, enhancing comfort and accessibility.

The Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. The interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and a close driving position. Visibility varied, with some areas requiring adjustments for better sightlines. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Storage options were limited, with netting on door panels and a small center console.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with hard buttons for easy navigation. Higher trims offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While it lacked the optional Uconnect system with a larger screen, it provided essential tech features. Additional options included remote engine start, satellite radio, and heated front seats. The Cold Weather Group added a heated steering wheel, extending the open-air driving season.

The Toyota Highlander was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist were notably active, sometimes overly so.

The Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group, offering 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 favorable, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS. Safety features were optional rather than standard.