Jeep Wrangler vs Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

Back in 2022, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid introduced a bold and dramatic new design. It boasted sharp, angular lines across its fascia and sides, making it unmistakable from its 2021 predecessor. This SUV was longer and wider, and its radical departure from previous styles made it stand out. While some consumers appreciated the bold creases and futuristic looks, others questioned its long-term appeal. Its grille integrated seamlessly with the LED lights, creating a striking effect when illuminated, particularly with the dark chrome finish on the Limited trim.

Inside, the Tucson Hybrid offered a spacious and airy interior. Despite the center console's bulk, the design ensured an unobstructed view with its integrated infotainment display and hoodless driver information screen. The Limited trim level wowed with features like a 64-color ambient lighting system, heated front seats, and a ventilated steering wheel. The lower trims provided useful inclusions such as an eight-way power driver seat and proximity key.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler continued its lineage with a rugged, take-no-prisoners aesthetic. With options like the two-door or four-door Wrangler Unlimited, it stayed true to its iconic design. The windshield folded down for those who craved the wind-in-your-teeth experience, while wide fenders, a seven-slot grille, round headlights, and exterior hood latches screamed Jeep. Optional half doors provided better visibility without compromising safety.

Inside, the Wrangler maintained simplicity, with easy-to-clean materials and a lack of unnecessary embellishments. The body-colored dash, chunky HVAC controls, and manual transfer case shifter spoke to its utilitarian spirit.

Driving the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid revealed its impressive engineering. The hybrid model featured a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It was a noticeable improvement over the gas-powered variant, with better acceleration and responsiveness. Steered by a six-speed automatic transmission, the Tucson Hybrid handled smoothly and soaked up road imperfections gracefully. Its fuel economy, rated at 37 mpg city, 36 highway, and 37 combined (slightly higher for the Blue trim), showcased its efficiency.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a plethora of engine options tailored for off-road enthusiasts. The standard V6 delivered 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged four-cylinder provided 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. Diesel fans could opt for the Ecodiesel V6, offering a whopping 442 lb-ft of torque. However, the standout was the Wrangler Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 horsepower and equally impressive torque. This variant rocketed from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, though its brakes and steering left something to be desired during aggressive driving. The Wrangler's off-road prowess was further amplified with features like full-time 4WD, different transfer cases, and an optional Xtreme Recon package for an enhanced crawl ratio.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid maximized its longer and wider frame to offer class-leading cargo space. The trunk swallowed 38.8 cubic feet of gear, expanding to 74.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. Compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4, the Tucson led the pack. Passengers enjoyed over 41 inches of legroom in both front and rear, with reclining seats adding to the comfort. The dual-level cargo floor provided versatility, and thoughtful touches like cupholders and ambient lighting enriched the experience.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, though, prioritized ruggedness over spaciousness. It offered 72.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down, slightly trailing behind the Bronco. The Wrangler's modular design allowed for various configurations, including removable hard and soft tops. However, storage for small items was limited, and the rear seats felt cramped. The Wrangler excelled in utility with numerous charging points and an optional power soft top for on-the-go transformations.

Hyundai packed the Tucson Hybrid with advanced technology, though some aspects were mixed. The 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim looked stunning but required a wired connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, utilizing only part of the screen. Touch-capacitive buttons for the infotainment and HVAC controls proved frustrating, although steering-wheel controls offered some reprieve. Despite these quirks, the Tucson provided ample USB ports and an impressive Bose premium stereo.

Jeep's Wrangler featured a 7-inch standard touchscreen, but the larger 8.4-inch version in our tester impressed with its user-friendly Uconnect system. While initially overwhelming, the system became intuitive with use, especially the off-road pages. Features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and helpful off-road information enhanced the experience. Jeep kept the tech practical, with useful touches like auxiliary switches and a forward-facing camera, but avoided overly fancy or unnecessary gadgets.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid prioritized safety with a suite of standard features, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The Limited trim added cutting-edge technologies like a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist, and a blind-spot view monitor. While these features impressed, the Tucson's NHTSA rating was pending, though IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+.

In contrast, the Jeep Wrangler's safety offerings were sparse. Standard features were limited to mandatory components like a rearview camera and stability control. Higher trims included advanced options such as blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Wrangler's IIHS ratings were mixed, with headlights on some trims earning a Poor score. NHTSA rated it four stars for frontal crashes and three stars for rollovers.