2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Jeep Wrangler

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, the XT5 carried these improvements into 2021, featuring a new engine option, revised styling, and advanced technology. The exterior boasted a snub-nosed design with standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design compared to its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, especially in the Premium Luxury trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide edition was based on the four-door Sport S trim and included unique features like LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, and a Gorilla Glass windshield. The High Tide stood out with its Xtreme Recon package, which added a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. Despite its rugged exterior, the Wrangler's interior remained basic, with durable cloth upholstery and plastic and rubber materials dominating the cabin.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but clunkier downshifts, especially in Sport mode. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in AWD during a 2,000-mile test drive, surpassing the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option. The Wrangler's Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was ideal for slippery conditions. The EPA estimated 21 mpg combined for the eTorque V6, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg over a week of driving. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique, with loud cabin noise, vague steering, and a rough ride, but it offered an immersive and adventurous experience.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 provided enough room for four adults in two rows, though the back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared for long trips. Heated front seats were standard, and the SUV offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, though wheel bump-outs reduced the width. The cargo-management system allowed for secure storage, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. The manual height adjuster for the driver's seat required regular re-adjustment. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery. Visibility varied, with some areas requiring leaning forward to see traffic lights. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but had agreeable accommodations once inside. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seat folded down. Storage options were limited, with small trays and netting.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic, providing haptic feedback. The tri-zone automatic climate control system had a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments. The XT5 offered a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, and a rear camera mirror. The infotainment system included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, had a 7-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system. The Wrangler included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5's safety features included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. The XT5 also offered Night Vision technology, enhancing nighttime drivability by illuminating large wildlife and hazards. General Motors' Teen Driver software allowed parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS for small overlap crash-test protection and side-impact tests. Headlight performance was rated Poor for standard lights and Marginal for LED upgrades.