2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with a design that had remained largely unchanged over the years. Enthusiasts could easily identify its notched grille, inset headlights, and scalloped air extractors. To the casual observer, the Wrangler was characterized by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders, giving it the appearance of a toy truck for adults. The Wrangler's various trims offered different looks, from painted or exposed fenders to soft or hard tops, but all retained the core elements that made the Wrangler unmistakable on the road. Inside, the Wrangler was not built for comfort, with upright seating, limited legroom, and seats adjusted by awkward ripcords, which some drivers found charming rather than inconvenient.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid shared much of its appearance with the standard gas-only CR-V, with subtle distinctions like "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. The LED fog lights and rear bumper had a more sophisticated design, but otherwise, it was hard to tell it apart from its gasoline counterpart. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid featured unique instrumentation to display battery-charge status, power regeneration, and distribution. The steering wheel paddles managed the regenerative braking system. The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Touring trim, in particular, offered a premium feel with features like leather upholstery, a premium sound system, and a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and the powerful Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's 4WD systems, such as Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, catered to various off-roading needs. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid utilized Honda's two-motor hybrid technology, combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor. This setup produced a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most suitable one. It also featured driver-selected modes like Econ, Sport, and EV. Despite the added weight of the battery pack, the CR-V Hybrid maintained a low center of gravity and offered 8.2 inches of ground clearance. On the testing route, it returned 33.7 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 38 mpg.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, providing a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with limited storage but practical features like drain plugs for easy cleaning. It offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though the wheel-wells and roll-bars could limit larger items.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in interior space and comfort. The front seats were supportive, with the driver's seat offering 12-way power adjustment. The rear seat provided ample space, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. Interior storage was impressive, though the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger took up space on the center console. The CR-V Hybrid offered 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, reduced from the standard CR-V due to the battery pack, and a maximum of 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's technology varied by trim, with the Sport featuring a basic 5-inch screen. The 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims, with an 8.4-inch option available. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a 7-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob. While the display was large, the lack of a tuning knob and slow startup detracted from the user experience. The system supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the voice-recognition technology was limited. The Touring trim offered wireless smartphone charging and a nine-speaker premium audio system, though the infotainment system's overall performance lagged behind competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was unavailable. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines was standard, and a live tire-pressure monitoring system was available for off-roading.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving-assistance systems. This included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it lacked features like automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling.