2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since 2011 and received an update in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 model still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when closed, a detail that many automakers typically refine. The instrument panel appeared to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls user-friendly. The Sienna offered various trims, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The base CE trim was well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added family-friendly features like sliding dual power side doors and heated front seats. The SE trim included a power liftgate, while the XLE added luxury touches like leather-trimmed seating and a power moonroof. The XLE Limited, which was tested, featured premium leather seats, a JBL audio system, and HID headlights. For those prioritizing style, the Nightshade Edition offered dark accents and 19-inch wheels.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler design, with blue decals and a charger port as the main indicators of its plug-in hybrid status. Signature Wrangler elements like the exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, and seven-slot grille remained. The interior quality was consistent across the lineup, with three grades available: Unlimited Sahara, Unlimited Sahara High Altitude, and Unlimited Rubicon. The Rubicon, tested, featured Dark Saddle brown leather seats and a dramatic front passenger grab handle. The Wrangler 4xe's plug-in hybrid system combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with electric motors, delivering a total output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were preserved, with features like a Rock-trac transfer case and up to 76 cm of water fording capability. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with modes to optimize battery use. The Wrangler 4xe provided a burst of energy from a stop, though it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna offered a Sport mode for enhanced throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for its 1,587-kilogram towing capacity. Power was routed to the front wheels as standard, with AWD available on all trims except the base CE. The AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration, a trade-off many buyers accepted for the added traction. The Sienna's FWD version offered the best fuel efficiency, with 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway. AWD versions returned slightly higher consumption figures. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds, requiring constant attention.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth power delivery. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were preserved, with features like a Rock-trac transfer case and up to 76 cm of water fording capability. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with modes to optimize battery use. The Wrangler 4xe provided a burst of energy from a stop, though it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving. The electric motors offered a unique driving experience, with intuitive one-pedal driving and regenerative braking.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which was easier with captain's chairs than a bench. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, though accessing the backseat could be challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features, like the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing mobility conversions.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss. The Sahara grades offered headroom of 1,023 mm and legroom of 970 mm, slightly less than gas-only Wranglers. The Rubicon's soft-top roof provided more headroom. Cargo space was slightly reduced, with 784 litres with seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded. The Wrangler's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings. The Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof, enhancing the open-air experience. Some quirks, like centre stack power window controls, remained part of the Jeep experience.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. Standard tech included Bluetooth connectivity and five USB ports. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL audio system. The Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe ran Uconnect 4C with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Uconnect was intuitive, with hard buttons and dials for critical functions. The system included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster featured a traditional layout with a 7-inch colour display. The Wrangler 4xe had four USB ports but lacked wireless phone charging.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on SE models and above. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS in many areas, with a Superior rating for its driver-assistance features.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS tests. However, the driver's side small overlap front test returned a Marginal result due to a tip-over. Rear passenger head protection was also rated Marginal. The NHTSA rated the Wrangler four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. Safety features were limited, with blind spot monitoring and rear park assist standard only on the Unlimited Sahara High Altitude. The Advanced Safety Group offered additional features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.