2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

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 hybrid nature 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 leather and cloth seating options across its three grades, with the top-tier 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 characterized by a combination of Dark Saddle brown leather seats, black leather inserts, and a lot of black plastic, staying true to the Wrangler's utilitarian roots.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe presented a more luxurious and modern design. The test vehicle's Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork gave it a sleek appearance, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker. Inside, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe was adorned with high-end materials, including Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner, and brushed aluminum trim. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech feel, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. The interior design cleverly masked the vehicle’s complexity, though newcomers might initially struggle with the lack of traditional controls.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 hp 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 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 to manage battery usage. 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 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine with 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, enhanced by the EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It achieved a fuel consumption of 12.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe boasted a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, and the adaptive damping control air suspension provided a smooth ride. The GLE Coupe excelled in urban environments with its speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering and tight turning radius. In Sport+ mode, it demonstrated impressive performance on challenging roads, though its size and weight were noticeable. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and performance-oriented tires ensured a composed and comfortable ride.

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 legroom was slightly reduced to 970 mm. The Rubicon's soft-top roof provided more headroom at 1,082 mm. Cargo capacity was 784 litres with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded, slightly less than other Wrangler models. The Wrangler 4xe's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings. The optional power-retracting roof was a convenient feature, allowing for easy operation at speeds up to 96 km/h. However, some quirks, like the centre stack power window controls, remained.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe offered seating for up to five people, though it was more comfortable for four adults. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats provided comfort and support, with numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The back seat offered ample legroom, and the cargo hold had a capacity of 655 litres, expanding to 1,790 litres with the second-row seats folded. The GLE Coupe included comfort upgrades like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated armrests, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

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

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. MBUX was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition technology and multiple interaction methods. Optional features included wireless smartphone charging, a Burmester surround-sound audio system, and an augmented video feature for navigation. The touchpad on the centre console was a minor inconvenience, but overall, the technology was advanced and easy to use.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wrangler models, 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 as Marginal. The NHTSA rated the Wrangler with four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. Safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic detection, and rear park assist, with additional options available in the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Intelligent Drive Package added 13 additional systems for driver assistance and collision avoidance. The Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist systems were particularly impressive. The lane-keeping assistance technology was well-tuned, and the adaptive cruise control offered route-based speed adaptation. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.