2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance rugged styling with practicality, following a 2019 refresh and the introduction of the Black Edition in 2020. Despite these efforts, its exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in five trims in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The Black Edition, which we tested, came fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, though its black mats were notorious for attracting pet hair. The interior quality was commendable, with a minivan-like front seat experience due to its flat dashboard and low centre console, which some found unappealing.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe retained its iconic Wrangler styling, with only subtle hints of its plug-in hybrid nature, such as blue decals and a charging port. The Wrangler's interior quality was consistent across its three grades, with the Unlimited Rubicon offering optional leather seats and a Cold Weather Group for added comfort. The Wrangler's interior featured a mix of leather and black plastic, with a distinctive grab handle for the front passenger. Despite its hybrid nature, the Wrangler maintained its rugged appeal, though some quirks, like the centre stack window controls, persisted.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, provided a smooth and responsive driving experience. The Pilot's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test vehicle achieving 10.9 L/100 km. Its suspension system offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly agile handling, though its off-road capabilities were limited by modest ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This setup, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered impressive off-road capabilities, including a Rock-trac transfer case, solid axles, and up to 76 cm of water fording capability. The Wrangler 4xe's plug-in hybrid system provided an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with various modes to optimize battery usage. While the Wrangler 4xe delivered a burst of energy from a stop, it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, with seating for up to eight people. The Black Edition featured comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, though the front passenger seat had limited adjustment options. Second-row captain's chairs were standard on the Black Edition, providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The Pilot's cargo space was generous, with 524 litres behind the third row and up to 3,092 litres with all seats folded. Storage solutions were abundant, with compartments throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate its battery pack without sacrificing interior space. The Wrangler's headroom and legroom were only slightly compromised, and the Rubicon's soft-top roof offered additional headroom. Cargo space was slightly reduced compared to non-hybrid Wranglers, with 784 litres available with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded. The Wrangler's compact dimensions made it manageable in urban settings, and the optional power-retracting roof added convenience for open-air driving.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered additional features like a built-in navigation system, wireless phone charging, and a premium audio system. The Touring trim added a rear-seat entertainment system and Cabin Talk feature. While the infotainment system was adequate, it lacked some modern conveniences, such as a tuning knob and advanced voice recognition.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe came with Uconnect 4C on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Uconnect was praised for its intuitive interface, with hard buttons and dials for essential functions. The Wrangler included off-road and Hybrid Electric Pages for monitoring vehicle performance. However, it lacked some advanced tech features, such as a fully digital instrument cluster and wireless phone charging, which were surprising omissions for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Pilot received favourable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though some areas received lower scores.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its safety ratings with other Wrangler models. It received Good ratings in most crashworthiness tests from the IIHS, but some areas, like the driver's side small overlap front test, were rated Marginal. The Wrangler's safety features were limited, with optional packages available for additional assistance systems.