2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Genesis GV70

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. 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 nature, the interior retained the familiar Wrangler feel, with a lot of black plastic and optional leather seats.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its bold styling, diverging from the rest of the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand’s two-line lighting signature, creating a near-continuous circle around the vehicle. The GV70’s design included unique elements like a distinct shoulder line and undulating accent lines around the side windows. The Sport grades boasted dark chrome finishes and a cross-hatched matrix pattern on the exterior. Genesis offered a wide range of colour combinations, with more than 100 options available, including exclusive matte paints for the Sport grades. The interior featured elliptical inserts inspired by airplane wings, with premium grades offering quilted leather seats and door panels.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered various drive modes, including hybrid, electric, and e-save. The Wrangler 4xe was trail-rated, equipped with a Selec-trac or Rock-trac transfer case, solid axles, and a fully articulating suspension. It had a ground clearance of 27.4 cm and could ford up to 76 cm of water. The plug-in hybrid system provided an electric-only range of 35 km, with regenerative braking enhancing efficiency.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with our test unit featuring a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, prioritizing the rear axle. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential. The GV70 featured Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with terrain modes for mud, sand, and snow. The electronically controlled suspension system used a forward camera to adapt to road conditions, providing a balance between comfort and feedback. The GV70’s turning radius was notably tight, aiding urban manoeuvrability.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate its battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss. It offered headroom of 1,023 mm in the Sahara grades and 1,082 mm in the Rubicon with the soft-top roof. Cargo capacity was slightly reduced, with 784 litres behind the second row and 1,908 litres with seats folded. The Wrangler’s width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings. An optional power-retracting roof enhanced the open-air experience, while quirks like centre stack window controls remained.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-focused design, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The infotainment system was controlled by a raised dial, and climate controls were under a single pane with haptic feedback. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available. Rear passengers enjoyed a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, though storage was limited. Cargo volume was 819 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,610 litres with seats folded. The tonneau cover could be stowed under the rear load floor.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system was intuitive, with hard buttons for critical functions. Off-road and Hybrid Electric Pages provided useful information, but the instrument cluster remained traditional. Four USB ports were included, but wireless phone charging was absent.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 excelled in technology, with a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen offering split-screen functionality. The 3D digital instrument cluster in the Sport Plus grade added a unique touch. The Blind View Monitor system projected camera views onto the cluster, and a fingerprint recognition system allowed keyless starting. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon system available on top grades.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS tests but a Marginal rating in the driver’s side small overlap front test. Safety features were limited, with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection standard only on the Unlimited Sahara High Altitude. The Advanced Safety Group offered additional features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included ten standard safety features, such as blind spot collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. A rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. The Highway Driving Assist system provided lane centring and automatic lane changing. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available, but the onboard systems were of high quality.