2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

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. Observers could easily overlook its plug-in hybrid nature, as the only distinguishing features were the blue decals, badging, and the charger port on the driver’s side front quarter panel. The interior quality was consistent across the lineup, with options for leather-faced seats and power-adjustable driver’s seats in the Sahara grades, while the Rubicon offered cloth seats as standard. Despite its premium pricing, the Wrangler 4xe lacked some features like heated seats, which were not standard in Canada, and ventilated seats were unavailable.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had a design reminiscent of a smaller CX-5, with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It shared its platform with the Mazda3, giving it a raised-up hatchback feel. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, and its slight curve could distort the road view for taller drivers. Inside, the cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a blend of conventional and digital displays in the instrument cluster. The infotainment screen rose organically from the dashboard, but its functionality was hindered by a steep learning curve. The CX-30 offered three trim levels in Canada, with features like heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, and a standard AWD drivetrain in the base GX trim, while the GT trim added luxury features like a power liftgate and full leather upholstery.

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 setup was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler 4xe was trail-rated, featuring a Selec-trac or Rock-trac transfer case, solid front and rear axles, and a fully articulating suspension. It offered up to 27.4 cm of ground clearance and could ford up to 76 cm of water. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain provided an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with modes to optimize battery usage. The Wrangler 4xe delivered a burst of energy from a stop, but it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered a base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque in the GX trim. The GS and GT trims featured a 2.5-litre engine with 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Our test model had the upgraded 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, producing 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. The CX-30's turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, with a Sport mode enhancing throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30 had a sporty, refined ride with well-weighted steering and quick turn-in, though it could be rough over potholes.

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 with a soft-top offered 1,082 mm. Cargo space 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 4xe was manageable in urban settings, with a width of 1,875 mm. The Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof, enhancing the open-air experience.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 1,280 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 572 litres with the seats in use. The GT grade included a power rear liftgate. The front seats had a sliding centre console cover, which could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. The rear seats offered solid headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the space of larger models like the CX-5.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Uconnect was intuitive, with a combination of touch layout and hard buttons for critical functions. The system included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster had a traditional design with a 7-inch colour information display. The Wrangler 4xe had four USB ports but lacked a wireless phone charging pad.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. The system was inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems but lacked touch functionality, making it cumbersome to use with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The setup was not user-friendly, and navigating between presets was challenging.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it had a Marginal rating for the driver’s side small overlap front test and 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 options for blind spot monitoring, rear park assist, and advanced safety features available in packages.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered available driver-assistance features, with rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Higher grades included traffic-sign recognition, parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top marks in crash tests and driver-assistance technology.