2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design that had been subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. The Touring trim introduced a new 19-inch wheel design, contributing to a modernized appearance by reducing brightwork. The Odyssey was available in four trim levels: EX-RES, EX-L Navi, EX-L RES, and Touring, with base pricing ranging from $44,645 to $55,845, including destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic model with U.S.-exclusive Elite trim, showcased new perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, along with dashboard ambient lighting, offering an upscale look and feel. The 2021 Odyssey models received seating material and design improvements, and new tri-colour floor mats enhanced the interior's practicality.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the signature Wrangler elements, making it difficult to distinguish from its gas-powered counterparts, except for the blue decals, badging, and charger port on the driver's side front quarter panel. The Rubicon test unit retained the exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, rounded headlights, and seven-slot grille. Interior quality remained consistent across the lineup, with three grades available: the 4xe Unlimited Sahara, Unlimited Sahara High Altitude, and Unlimited Rubicon. The Wrangler 4xe's interior featured Dark Saddle brown leather seats, black leather inserts with contrast stitching, and a dramatic front passenger grab handle. Despite the plug-in hybrid system, the Wrangler 4xe retained its off-road capabilities, with solid front and rear axles, available locking differentials, and a fully articulating suspension. The 17 kWh battery pack was cleverly tucked inside the frame under the second-row seats, ensuring it was protected from the elements.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. The drivetrain remained unchanged from the previous year, offering smooth and effortless power. The engine featured variable cylinder management, conserving fuel by operating on fewer cylinders under certain conditions. Natural Resources Canada rated the Odyssey's fuel consumption at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and testing averaged 10.8 L/100 km. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The 2021 model introduced a new electronic brake booster, enhancing the adaptive cruise control's stop-and-go capability and improving brake pedal feel. While the Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, the brakes struggled under heavy use, particularly during a heatwave, indicating a need for a braking component upgrade.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total system output of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided a smooth driving experience. The Wrangler 4xe retained its trail-rated capabilities, with the Sahara grades featuring a Selec-trac two-speed transfer case and the Rubicon equipped with a Rock-trac transfer case. The plug-in hybrid system offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes available. The Max Regen button enhanced regenerative braking, allowing for near one-pedal driving. The electric motors provided a burst of energy from a stop, but the Wrangler 4xe was not the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving, as it remained true to its rugged Wrangler roots.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. However, the lack of a tuning knob for the stereo was puzzling, and the transmission gear buttons could be confusing. The driver enjoyed a 12-way power-adjustable seat with inboard armrests, while heated front seats and outboard mirrors were standard in Canada. The EX-L Navi trim added a heated steering wheel, and the Touring grade included ventilated front seats. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third-row seat, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third-row seat tumbled, and a maximum volume of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo space was cumbersome.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss for second-row occupants. The Sahara grades offered headroom of 1,023 mm and legroom of 970 mm, while the Rubicon's soft-top roof provided more headroom. Cargo capacity was slightly reduced compared to other Wrangler models, with 784 litres of space with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded. The Wrangler 4xe's body style, with a width of 1,875 mm, made it manageable in urban settings. The Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof, allowing for easy operation at speeds up to 96 km/h. While the Wrangler 4xe had some quirks, such as the centre stack power window controls, it remained true to its Jeep heritage.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. The EX-L Navi and Touring trims added navigation, while the Touring grade included a CabinWatch interior camera and CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Touring trim also offered an 11-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and wireless headphones, but the lack of a touchscreen disappointed some users.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe ran Uconnect 4C with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. Uconnect was praised for its intuitive interface, with hard buttons and dials for critical functions. The Wrangler 4xe included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for vehicle efficiency settings. The instrument cluster featured a traditional tachometer and a gauge for electric power usage, with a 7-inch colour information display. While the Wrangler 4xe lacked some modern tech features, such as a wireless phone charging pad, it offered a practical and user-friendly infotainment system.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS, with top five-star ratings from the NHTSA for most crash tests. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother in operation.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wrangler models, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, the driver's side small overlap front test returned a Marginal result due to a tip-over, and rear passenger head protection was also rated as Marginal. The Wrangler 4xe's 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, such as automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control.