Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs Toyota bZ

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 Special Edition stood out even in the typically Wrangler-saturated Southern California. Despite the gloomy weather, its unique color, wheel design, and tan fabric top drew attention. The Willys '41 had a distinct World War II cosplay vibe, but the wheels were a highlight, suggesting potential as a popular accessory upgrade. The model offered various top options, including a standard tan soft top, a body-color hardtop, and the Sky One-Touch power-operated top. The interior featured Heritage Tan cloth seats, an Olive Drab cloth dashboard insert, and an exclusive '41 shifter knob, maintaining the rugged, easy-to-clean design typical of Wranglers.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota bZ presented a more modern and refined aesthetic. Available in XLE and Limited trims, it offered single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD with two battery size options. The bZ's restyled exterior, especially with body-color trim, improved its appeal. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, with a 14-inch touchscreen integrated with climate controls. The fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the digital driver display, though criticized for its placement, was part of a tech-forward interior. The bZ's design emphasized quality and organization, with thoughtful storage solutions and a focus on passenger comfort.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was America's best-selling plug-in hybrid, with over 250,000 units built since 2021. Its powertrain combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, offering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The 4xe provided an estimated 21 miles of electric-only range from a 17.3-kWh battery pack. In Hybrid mode, it adjusted power for efficiency, while Electric mode relied solely on battery power unless additional power was needed. E-Save mode conserved battery power for specific uses. The Wrangler 4xe's off-road capabilities were impressive, but its on-road performance was marred by a noisy interior and rudimentary ride.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a choice between a 57.7-kWh or a 74.7-kWh battery, with the latter providing up to 224 horsepower and a range of 314 miles in the XLE FWD. Dual-motor AWD models produced 338 horsepower. The bZ's efficiency was notable, with a 26 kWh/100 miles rating. Recharging was efficient, with a DC fast charger bringing the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes. The bZ excelled in urban environments, with good visibility and standard parking sensors. However, its highway performance was less robust, and the ride could be choppy on uneven surfaces. The bZ's handling was not suited for spirited driving, with its tires and steering detracting from the experience.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe accommodated four adults comfortably, with a fifth in a pinch. The interior featured manual front seat adjusters and cloth upholstery, with options for heated seats and a heated steering wheel. Storage was limited, requiring creative solutions for small items. The soft top allowed for quick open-air driving but complicated cargo loading, with 27.7 cubic feet of space expanding to 67.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on an EV platform, offered easy access and comfortable seating with standard height adjustment. The XLE and Limited trims featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats, with heated and ventilated options. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage solutions. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though foot space was tight. The cargo area provided 27.7 cubic feet of space, reduced to 25.8 cubic feet in the Limited trim due to a subwoofer, and expanded to 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 technology, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system supported connected services and SiriusXM satellite radio, though navigation was not available on the Willys '41. The touchscreen was intuitive, with large knobs for volume and tuning. The optional Alpine sound system effectively countered the Jeep's ambient noise.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen running the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. While the driver display was criticized for its placement and readability, the infotainment system was generally user-friendly. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with several connected service plans. The Drive Connect system powered navigation and voice assistant features, which performed well in testing.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered limited safety technologies, with standard forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The optional Active Safety Group included important features like blind-spot monitoring, but required additional packages, making it costly. The Wrangler's safety ratings were mediocre, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and unimpressive scores from the IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added advanced features like Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. While the NHTSA had not rated the bZ, the IIHS gave it mixed ratings, with high marks for front-crash avoidance but poor headlight ratings.