2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

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, which subtly indicated its plug-in hybrid nature. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a mix of Dark Saddle brown leather seats and black leather inserts, with a prominent front passenger grab handle. However, the interior was dominated by black plastic, a familiar sight for Wrangler enthusiasts. The vehicle was available in three grades, with the top-tier Unlimited Rubicon offering optional leather seats and a Cold Weather Group package, though heated seats were not standard, which was surprising for a Canadian market vehicle.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner retained its rugged, adventure-ready design, reminiscent of its 1980s SUV roots. It stayed true to its pickup truck lineage, sharing underpinnings with the Toyota Tacoma. The 4Runner's high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper emphasized its off-road capabilities. Inside, the 4Runner's design was functional but dated, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. The Canadian market offered Trail and SR5 models, with various TRD and Limited packages. Standard features included push-button start, remote keyless entry, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The 4Runner Trail featured unique monotone paint, a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket, and all-weather floor mats, while the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road models added performance-oriented features.

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 by 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 up to 27.4 cm of ground clearance. It could ford up to 76 cm of water, with the 17 kWh battery pack safely tucked inside the frame. The plug-in hybrid system offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes available. The Wrangler 4xe provided a burst of energy from a stop, though it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. While reliable, the engine felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome, with noticeable body roll, but it excelled off-road, where its suspension absorbed rough terrain effortlessly. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models featured Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, more than most car-based crossovers.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate its battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss for second-row occupants. Headroom for the Sahara grades was 1,023 mm, with legroom slightly reduced to 970 mm. The Rubicon's soft-top roof offered more than 2 cm of additional headroom. 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's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings. An optional power-retracting roof was available, enhancing the open-air experience. However, some quirks, like the centre stack power window controls, remained.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum cargo capacity of 2,540 litres in the two-row version, with 1,337 litres behind the second row. The three-row model reduced maximum cargo space to 2,514 litres. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window. While not a masterclass in cabin packaging, the 4Runner provided ample space for gear. The third-row seat was available only on the Limited package, increasing seating capacity to seven.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system was intuitive, with hard buttons and dials for essential functions. The Wrangler included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster was partially digital, with a 7-inch colour display. However, it lacked some modern tech features, like a wireless phone charging pad.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and multiple USB ports. While not the most advanced system, it offered tactile controls, useful for gloved operation. Navigation and a 15-speaker JBL audio system were optional. The system covered tech basics but lacked features like a head-up display.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it scored Marginal in the driver’s side small overlap front test and rear passenger head protection. The NHTSA rated the Wrangler four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. 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 adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The NHTSA awarded the 4Runner four stars for frontal and side-impact testing and three stars for rollover testing. The 4Runner had not been evaluated by the IIHS. It came with a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.