2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design that, over time, became more familiar and less striking. Its blunt and bulbous nose, combined with black windshield pillars, gave it a unique appearance, though the cartoonishly-flared quarter panels could overwhelm the design. Despite its initial polarizing look, the Highlander Hybrid's styling was expected to become more subdued with time. The interior offered an upscale two-tone look with soft leather for higher trims, though the instrument-panel shroud felt cheap. The infotainment system was dominated by a 12.3-inch screen, which could suffer from reflections, and the mix of illumination colours in the gauges appeared busy at night.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler design, with only subtle hints like blue decals and a charging port indicating its hybrid nature. Signature elements such as the exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, and seven-slot grille remained. The interior quality was consistent across the lineup, with leather-faced seats in the Sahara grades and cloth seats in the Rubicon. The Wrangler 4xe's interior featured a combination of Dark Saddle brown leather seats and black leather inserts, with a prominent grab handle for the front passenger. Despite the hybrid system, the Wrangler retained its rugged charm and off-road capability.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. It was rated at 6.7 L/100 km in combined driving, with a total output of 243 hp. The hybrid system used an "E-CVT" to mimic an automatic transmission. While the Highlander Hybrid offered better fuel consumption figures, it lacked driving excitement. The power was adequate for climbing hills and reaching freeway speeds, but the drivetrain sounded strained during hard acceleration. The steering was lifeless, and the ride exhibited unwanted body movement. However, the regenerative brakes operated smoothly, and the SUV handled well on smooth roads.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and retained its trail-rated capabilities. The Wrangler 4xe offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes for battery management. The electric motors provided a burst of energy from a stop, and the one-pedal driving became intuitive. While the Wrangler 4xe wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving, it excelled in off-road performance.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered roomy and supportive accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with power-adjustable seats and leather upholstery. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the Highlander felt narrow, and the third-row seat was uncomfortable for adults. Storage was plentiful but not as generous as the previous generation, with a smaller dashboard shelf and a wireless smartphone charger blocking access to the storage area. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with all seats folded.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss. Headroom and legroom were slightly compromised compared to gas-only Wranglers, but the difference was minimal. Cargo capacity was slightly reduced, with 784 litres available with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded. The Wrangler 4xe's body style was manageable in urban settings, and a home charging cable was included. The Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof, enhancing the open-air experience.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons. The JBL sound system offered powerful audio, though it could sound boomy or tinny depending on the music. Driver Easy Speak projected the driver's voice through the speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured Uconnect 4C with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Uconnect 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. While there were four USB ports, wireless phone charging was absent.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. It added intersection support and emergency steering assistance for 2021. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars in frontal-impact crash tests.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, it received a Marginal rating 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 on the Unlimited Sahara High Altitude and optional on other grades.