2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both creased and symmetrical, leaning towards a conservative aesthetic. This approach, while not overly emotional, appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism and aged well over time. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille with the updated VW logo and available illuminated grille bar. Standard LED headlights, new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate, and redesigned aluminum wheels added to its refined look.

Volkswagen simplified the Tiguan lineup for 2022, offering it in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims with either FWD or AWD. Prices ranged from $25,995 to $36,995, with a destination charge of $1,195. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, equipped with standard 4Motion AWD and an accessory cargo cover, was priced at $37,970 MSRP. The R-Line models had a sportier appearance, with the SE R-Line Black featuring a trendy blacked-out look. The Atlantic Blue Metallic paint on the SEL R-Line, paired with machined-surface 18-inch alloy wheels, gave it a striking appearance.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made its presence known through both its appearance and sound. Aside from a “4xe” badge and sky blue accents, it looked similar to a regular Wrangler, with the power port at the left base of the windshield being the main differentiator. When running on battery power alone, the Wrangler 4xe was silent except for the pedestrian notification system, which turned heads as it moved quietly through Yosemite National Park.

Our Firecracker Red Rubicon test vehicle, loaded with over $13,000 in options, had a price tag of $66,690, including the $1,495 destination charge. The 4xe was also available in Sahara and High Altitude trims, with the Sahara starting at under $50,000 before incentives. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe was similar to other four-door Wranglers, with blue seat stitching, charging indicator lights, and PHEV-specific gauges. The interior featured more soft-touch materials than expected, with leather seats and padded door panels. The layout was practical, with controls for the transmission, emergency brake, and transfer case lever easily accessible.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system available. The AWD system could send up to half of the power to the rear wheels but decoupled the rear axle when not needed to save fuel. Drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings available with 4Motion.

The Tiguan’s Hill Descent Control system operated at speeds up to 19 mph in Offroad mode, but with only 7.6 inches of ground clearance, it was best suited for well-traveled paths. The suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs. The variable assist steering adjusted based on speed, providing a nimble and responsive feel in normal driving situations. However, the engine’s torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. The Tiguan’s fuel economy was rated at 24 mpg combined, with our test drive averaging 24.7 mpg.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup provided an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving and a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. As a hybrid, the EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, with a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe offered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in six seconds.

Three powertrain modes governed the Wrangler 4xe’s operation: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save. Hybrid mode maximized power or efficiency based on situational needs, while Electric mode ran solely on battery power unless additional power was required. The e-Save mode preserved battery power for specific situations, using only the gas engine until needed. During a weekend road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its ability to recharge the battery through regenerative braking, extending its electric driving range. Over the four-day loan, the Wrangler 4xe covered 757 miles, averaging 19.1 mpg with 120.9 miles driven on electricity.

The 2022 VW Tiguan was spacious enough to be compared to smaller midsize SUVs, with a standard third-row seat in FWD models. The SEL R-Line test vehicle featured leather-wrapped front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly than traditional buttons and knobs.

Cargo space was among the best in its class, with 37.6 cubic feet of luggage volume behind the back seat and a maximum capacity of 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. FWD models with the third-row seat had 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with it folded down, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to climb into and out of, with high door sills and narrow rear openings. The Rubicon trim lacked side steps to preserve off-roading capability. Once inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a classic driving position with a clear view over the hood and front fenders. Manual front seat height adjusters helped find the best position, but the seats tended to lower themselves over time. The center console had limited storage due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever, with a small bin under the armrest and a glovebox that wasn’t particularly useful.

Rear-seat space was adequate if passengers didn’t mind sitting up straight, with air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, a 115-volt power outlet, and MOLLE-style storage straps. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a storage bin under the load floor for the charging cord. The Alpine sound system’s subwoofer and the storage bag for the hardtop’s removable roof panels took up additional space. Folding the back seat down increased the maximum volume to 72.4 cubic feet.

The 2022 Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base Tiguan S, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription plan.

Car-Net’s Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, and vehicle location tracking. The Safe & Secure plan offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 2022 Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon’s technological advancements were related to its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. The Uconnect infotainment system featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system could overcome wind noise on the freeway. However, the Uconnect system showed its age in terms of load time, responsiveness, voice recognition accuracy, and graphics.

The Trip Summary data panel provided charging time estimates, and the five blue charging indicator lights on the dashboard allowed for easy viewing of charging status. Overall, the Uconnect system was intuitive to use but needed an upgrade to Stellantis’s latest Uconnect 5 technology.

For 2022, the Tiguan included standard Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems added Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which could safely bring the Tiguan to a full stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s improvements aimed to maintain or improve that score.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems in the Safety Group (blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors) and the Advanced Safety Group (adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, full-speed forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights). The LED headlights with automatic high beams were effective but rated Marginal by the IIHS. The Wrangler received a Marginal rating for small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver, with the vehicle tipping over onto its side during testing. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler Unlimited a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.