2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler aesthetic, with its rugged exterior features like the exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, rounded headlights, and the iconic seven-slot grille. The only noticeable differences were the blue decals, badging, and the charger port on the driver’s side front quarter panel, which subtly indicated its plug-in hybrid nature. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a mix of Dark Saddle brown leather seats and black leather inserts with contrast stitching, complemented by a dramatic front passenger grab handle. However, the interior was dominated by black plastic, a reminder of its utilitarian roots. The Wrangler 4xe came in three grades, with the Unlimited Sahara starting at $54,995 Canadian, the Unlimited Sahara High Altitude at $59,990, and the top-tier Unlimited Rubicon at $59,995. Despite its premium pricing, features like heated seats were not standard across all models, which was surprising for a vehicle in this price range.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer boasted an appealing design with well-proportioned character lines and the option for a contrasting roof colour in black, white, or red. The Trailblazer was available in four trims: LS, LT, Activ, and RS, with prices ranging from $25,998 to $30,298. The RS trim, which we tested, had a starting MSRP of $30,298, but options increased the price to $37,653, including the destination charge. The Trailblazer's interior was filled with hard plastic, but it offered a sense of style and functionality. The cabin was spacious enough for four adults, and the rear seat, although flat and bench-like, folded down to create a flat load floor. The Trailblazer's cargo space was impressive, with 716 litres available in the trunk and 1,540 litres with the rear seats folded down. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing the vehicle to accommodate items up to 2.5 metres long.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed through an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing a robust and trail-ready performance. The Wrangler 4xe featured a Selec-trac two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low range ratio for the Sahara grades, while the Rubicon boasted a Rock-trac transfer case with a 4.0:1 ratio. The vehicle offered various drive settings, including 2WD High, 4WD Auto, 4WD High, Neutral, and 4WD Low. With solid front and rear axles, available locking differentials, and a fully articulating suspension, the Wrangler 4xe was capable of handling up to 27.4 cm of ground clearance and 76 cm of water fording. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain provided an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes available for optimal efficiency. The Wrangler 4xe's electric motors offered a quick burst of energy from a stop, making it intuitive to drive, although it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was powered by a turbocharged 1.3-litre three-cylinder engine, producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. The Trailblazer offered a choice between a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with front-wheel drive and a more satisfying nine-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD version also featured a more sophisticated rear suspension design for improved ride and handling. The RS trim rode on 18-inch aluminum wheels with 22/55 all-season tires, providing a zippy and nimble driving experience. The Trailblazer was fun to drive around town and on winding roads, with a Sport driving mode that enhanced its sporty feel. However, the Trailblazer was loud on highways, and its suspension struggled with speed bumps and off-road terrain. The vehicle averaged 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, slightly higher than the official rating of 8.4 L/100 km with AWD.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing the loss of second-row space and maintaining its off-road capabilities. The Sahara grades offered 1,023 mm of headroom with the hard-top roof, while the Rubicon's soft-top roof provided 1,082 mm of headroom. Legroom was slightly reduced to 970 mm, just 4 mm less than gas-only Wranglers. Cargo capacity was somewhat compromised, with 784 litres available with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded, compared to 898 and 2,050 litres in other Wrangler models. The Wrangler 4xe's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings, and a home charging cable was included. The Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof, allowing for easy operation at speeds up to 96 km/h. However, some quirks remained, such as the centre stack controls for power windows.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered impressive functionality for its size, with a dashboard tray and the ability to hold items up to 2.5 metres long with the tailgate closed. The Trailblazer RS test vehicle featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, providing a comfortable driving position. The rear seat offered ample legroom but was flat and bench-like, likely to ensure a flat load floor when folded. The Trailblazer's cargo space was generous, with 716 litres in the trunk and 1,540 litres with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded flat, accommodating larger items with ease.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. The system was intuitive, with a combination of touch controls and hard buttons for HVAC and audio functions. The Wrangler 4xe included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster was a mix of traditional and digital displays, with a 7-inch colour information display in the centre. However, the vehicle lacked some modern tech features, such as a wireless phone charging pad, despite its high price.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a comprehensive infotainment system featuring a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto, with Chevrolet Connected Services and a Wi-Fi hotspot available. The test vehicle had the larger touchscreen, access to Spotify and SiriusXM, and an optional 7-speaker Bose audio system. The Trailblazer's infotainment system was user-friendly, with appealing graphics and physical controls for easy operation. Additional features included remote engine starting and a keyless entry keypad system.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wrangler models, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it received a Marginal rating in the driver’s side small overlap front test due to tipping over and in rear passenger head protection. The NHTSA rated the Wrangler with 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 $945 Safety Group and $1,450 Advanced Safety Group offered additional features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer prioritized safety with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology. Chevy Safety Assist was standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer's ADAS performed well during testing, and it received top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.