2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Ford Bronco

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 indicating its plug-in hybrid nature were the blue decals, specific badging, and the charger port on the driver’s side front quarter panel. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a mix of Dark Saddle brown leather seats and black leather inserts, with a prominent front passenger grab handle. Despite its hybrid status, the interior retained the familiar Wrangler feel, with a lot of black plastic and a utilitarian design.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and robust off-road capabilities, was a highly sought-after vehicle. It offered a wide range of trims, including the Everglades and Bronco Raptor, designed for extreme off-road conditions. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, featuring large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate. Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with features like marine-grade vinyl upholstery and drain plugs in the floor, allowing for easy cleaning after off-road adventures. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including a digital instrument panel and a large infotainment touchscreen.

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 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler 4xe was trail-rated, featuring a Selec-trac two-speed transfer case for the Sahara grades and a Rock-trac transfer case for the Rubicon, offering various four-wheel drive settings. It boasted solid front and rear axles, locking differentials, and a fully articulating suspension, with up to 27.4 cm of ground clearance and 76 cm of water fording capability. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with modes to optimize battery usage and regenerative braking.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a base turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with an optional 2.7-litre V6 engine delivering 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the two-door model with the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6 and all four-door models. The Bronco's off-road prowess was evident across its lineup, with models like the Everglades excelling in challenging terrains. It could ford water up to 92.5 centimetres deep and handled difficult trails with ease. On-road, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than the Wrangler, making it a more comfortable choice for long drives.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate its battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss for second-row occupants. Headroom remained consistent with standard Wrangler models, while legroom was slightly reduced. Cargo capacity was somewhat compromised, with 784 litres available with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded. The Wrangler's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings, and a home charging cable was included. The optional power-retracting roof added convenience, allowing for easy operation at speeds up to 96 km/h.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top accommodating up to 634 litres behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with them folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including large armrest bins and netted door pockets. Its removable doors and fender flares added to its utility, while external hard mounting points enhanced its versatility for carrying additional gear.

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 hard buttons and dials for essential functions. Off-road pages provided information on pitch and roll angles, while Hybrid Electric Pages allowed for efficiency adjustments. The instrument cluster combined traditional gauges with a 7-inch colour display for range and performance information. However, the Wrangler lacked some modern tech features, such as a wireless charging pad.

The 2022 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, with G.O.A.T. modes for different terrains and a forward-looking trail camera for better visibility. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses and sharp graphics, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Bronco also featured a Trail Turn Assist for sharper turns and a wireless charging pad for added convenience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crash tests but a Marginal rating for the driver’s side small overlap front test. The NHTSA rated it four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. Safety features included optional blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic detection, and advanced safety systems in higher trims.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist and trailer sway control, with additional options for advanced systems. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS rated it Good in most tests, with Acceptable for head restraints and seats. Standard airbags and a rollover sensor provided additional protection.