Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Jeep Renegade

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. It shared its underpinnings with the Jeep Compass but maintained a distinct design identity. The Renegade received a subtle refresh in 2019, and for 2021, these design changes continued with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, making controls easily accessible. It came in various trims and special editions, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid took styling cues from the Tacoma pickup truck, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia, giving it a rugged appearance. However, its design introduced some softness with a character line swooping over the rear wheel arch, adding unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, resulting in a somewhat disjointed design compared to more cohesive competitors. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high on the dash, reducing distraction. The Bronze Edition featured light grey fabric seat upholstery with an odd pattern, while other trims offered more conventional materials. The rear seating area had more hard plastics, typical for family SUVs, but the third row was less accommodating, intended for occasional use by children.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and an upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided added motivation with its extra torque. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with a composed suspension over rough surfaces, though the Trailhawk's off-road setup was less refined. Its short wheelbase and impressive visibility made it maneuverable in tight spaces, ideal for city driving. The Renegade featured a terrain management system with various drive modes, and the Trailhawk trim was "Trail Rated" for off-road capability.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) available through a supplemental electric motor. Toyota estimated a 0-60 mph time of just over 8 seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The CVT's lack of gear shifts resulted in an uninspired drone under heavy acceleration. Braking was traditional, with regenerative braking seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes. The Highlander Hybrid offered a soft ride quality, with a suspension that smoothed over bumps while maintaining adequate cornering confidence. The cabin remained mostly free of wind and road noise, contributing to a quiet driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, above average for the subcompact SUV segment. Its tall, boxy design offered ample headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and suitable space for adults in the rear. The Renegade featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for added space or as a table for gear.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned, with plenty of adjustments for drivers of all sizes. However, the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. The Highlander offered ample storage, including a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf in front of the passenger, and a large center armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs or an optional bench for increased passenger capacity. The third row was less accommodating, intended for occasional use by children. Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with the second row stowed.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, offering a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock with icons for major functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a Kenwood premium audio system available.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with a standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The larger display's glossy surface could reflect the front passenger seat, obscuring the screen in harsh lighting. The infotainment system was quick to respond, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons for commonly used features. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard, with a wireless charging pad on XLE trims and above. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system were standard on Limited and Platinum trims.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors were optional. Despite these features, the Renegade received a four-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall score from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. A surround view camera system and adaptive headlights were exclusive to the Platinum trim. While these systems generally worked as advertised, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist could use fine-tuning.