2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was a compact SUV that bore a striking resemblance to its sibling, the Encore. Both models featured Buick's signature trapezoidal "waterfall" grille, high beltline, and similar headlight styling. The Encore GX, however, had a slightly longer wheelbase and additional length, which gave it a more balanced appearance. The optional ST (Sport Touring) appearance package enhanced its aesthetic appeal with body-colour moldings, custom grille, sport bumpers with red accents, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the Encore GX offered a comfortable cabin with soft-touch materials and leather upholstery on higher trims, though some controls were found to be cumbersome.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler look, with its exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, rounded headlights, and seven-slot grille. The plug-in hybrid version was distinguishable only by its blue decals, badging, and charger port. The interior of the Wrangler 4xe was consistent with the rugged Wrangler style, featuring Dark Saddle brown leather seats and black plastic. The Rubicon model offered a unique power-retracting roof, enhancing the open-air experience. Despite its hybrid nature, the Wrangler 4xe retained its off-road capabilities, with minimal compromise in interior space due to the battery pack's strategic placement.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the engine was surprisingly capable, though it exhibited some harshness typical of small engines. The Encore GX's driving dynamics were uninspiring, with a noisier cabin than expected from a Buick, despite its QuietTuning technology. The vehicle's ride was not as settled as anticipated, and it was not designed for off-roading, limiting its rough terrain capabilities to gravel driveways and dirt patches.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total system output of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler 4xe offered a trail-rated experience with features like a Selec-trac or Rock-trac transfer case, solid axles, and impressive ground clearance. The plug-in hybrid system 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, though it was not the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX, despite its compact size, offered a comfortable and easy-to-live-with experience. Ingress and egress were straightforward, and controls were clearly marked. Front-seat headroom and legroom were adequate, though rear-seat knee room was tight. Cargo space measured 665 litres behind the rear seats and 1,422 litres with them folded. The Encore GX featured a two-level cargo floor and an optional hands-free power liftgate, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate its battery pack without sacrificing second-row space. Headroom and legroom were slightly compromised compared to gas-only models, but the difference was minimal. Cargo capacity was reduced to 784 litres with the seats up and 1,908 litres with them folded, compared to other Wranglers. The Wrangler 4xe's body style was manageable in urban settings, and it included a home charging cable. The Rubicon model featured an optional power-retracting roof, adding to its versatility.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX came with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Driver-assistance features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Driver Confidence package with various safety technologies. The test vehicle also had HD surround vision, a head-up display, and adaptive cruise control. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive app layouts and efficient voice recognition.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and intuitive controls. The system included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster combined traditional gauges with a 7-inch colour display for range and performance information. Despite its price, the Wrangler 4xe lacked some modern tech features like wireless phone charging.

The 2022 Buick Encore GX was equipped with a range of driver assistance features and Teen Driver technology. It performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in crash tests, with varying headlight ratings depending on the trim. The Encore GX received "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its safety ratings with other Wranglers, receiving "Good" ratings in most IIHS tests but "Marginal" for the driver's side small overlap front test. The NHTSA rated it four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. Safety features were limited, with optional packages for advanced safety technologies.