2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Jeep Compass

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 leather and cloth seating options across its three grades, with the Unlimited Rubicon featuring optional leather seats with the Rubicon logo. However, the lack of standard heated seats in Canada was surprising, and ventilated seats were not available. The interior was a blend of Dark Saddle brown leather, black leather inserts, and black plastic, maintaining the traditional Wrangler feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass, despite its exterior updates, retained a familiar look reminiscent of a smaller Grand Cherokee. The test vehicle featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, adding an upscale touch. Inside, the Compass Trailhawk Elite impressed with its premium SUV feel, thanks to a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The lineup offered various trims, with the Trailhawk Elite being the most expensive. The Compass boasted a sophisticated interior with soft-touch surfaces, added sound deadening, and a range of features that elevated its status as a premium SUV.

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 setup was paired with 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, along with solid front and rear axles, locking differentials, and a fully articulating suspension. It offered up to 27.4 cm of ground clearance and 76 cm of water fording capability. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain provided an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes available. The Wrangler 4xe delivered a burst of energy from a stop, though it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder "Tigershark" engine, producing 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for 4WD models, while FWD models had a six-speed automatic. The transmission aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but resulted in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The Compass featured Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud driving modes, and the Active Drive AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. The Compass Trailhawk offered enhanced off-road capabilities with its Active Drive Low AWD system, hill descent control, and skid plates. However, the drivetrain was the least appealing aspect of the Compass, with a slow automatic stop/start system and disappointing acceleration.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss for second-row occupants. Headroom for the Sahara grades was 1,023 mm, while the Rubicon offered 1,082 mm with the soft-top roof. Cargo capacity was slightly reduced compared to other Wrangler models, with 784 litres available with the seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded. The Wrangler's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings. The Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof, enhancing the open-air experience. However, quirks like the centre stack power window controls remained.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered spaciousness for four adults and their luggage, with the Trailhawk Elite providing a premium feel. The front seats had 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, while the rear seats were heated. The cabin featured a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a redesigned dashboard, and a new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen. The centre console offered increased storage, though the bin beneath the armrest was small. The Compass had a cargo capacity of 770 litres behind the rear seat and 1,693 litres with the seats folded, surpassing the Cherokee model.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system was intuitive, with hard buttons and dials for critical functions. The Wrangler included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster had a traditional layout with a 7-inch colour display. However, the lack of a wireless phone charging pad was surprising for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 system, which was faster and more responsive. It offered an 8.4-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.1-inch option on upper grades. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth pairing for two devices. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it had some limitations in specific scenarios. Overall, Uconnect 5 impressed but wasn't the easiest to use.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, 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 Marginal. The NHTSA noted one recall for a clutch pressure plate issue. 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 like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring included from the Trailhawk grade. Highway Assist was expected later in the model year. The Compass offered a parking assistance system and a 360-degree camera. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, though the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system had some false positives. The NHTSA carried over the previous three-star rollover resistance rating, and headlight performance needed improvement.