Jeep Wrangler vs Cadillac XT4

Cadillac employed a “Y” trim level strategy for the 2020 XT4, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle featured Premium Luxury trim, front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's crisp, tailored styling, especially with the 20-inch alloy wheels, made it one of the most visually appealing Cadillac crossovers. The interior was pleasant with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls were less impressive.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited maintained its iconic styling with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could have painted or exposed fenders, a soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. The Wrangler's interior was functional but not as comfortable as car-based SUVs. The upright seating position, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments added to its rugged charm. Trims included the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with special editions like the Willys, 80th Anniversary, Freedom, Islander, and High Altitude.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the EPA rating the FWD XT4 at 26 mpg. The test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's fat band of torque provided a lively driving character, but the optional twin-clutch AWD system was recommended to limit front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem that persisted, though less frequently, in Sport mode. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, though the oversized rubber offered impressive grip and the brakes performed well.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's 4WD systems included Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the Rubicon featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar. The Rubicon 392, with a 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turned the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also featured beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes, with a dual-mode performance exhaust providing an incredible rumble.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's interior offered comfort for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, with the rear passenger compartment feeling roomier than many small SUVs. The XT4's excellent air conditioning system rapidly cooled the interior during a Southern California heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an innovative angled wireless smartphone charger. However, the XT4's cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple options for cloth tops and hardtops, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color with insulated panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets, and featured drain plugs for hosing out. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though wheel-wells and roll-bars made it harder to fit larger items.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much easier to use than previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth for two devices. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, with intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen needed to be larger, and the climate system should be tied to the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. The test car did not have a head-up display (HUD) or a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, with the 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The sharp 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, with crisp graphics and easy-to-read layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the center of the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the slats of the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead with its own washer-sprayer.

For the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment list. These features joined a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two free years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury or Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. The Driver Assist Package offered adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking. The XT4 received a 5-star protection rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Wrangler's safety features were basic, especially in the base configuration.