2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front showcased Hyundai's new design language, featuring a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The side profile borrowed design cues from the Hyundai Elantra, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson sported distinctive LED taillights, setting it apart from other compact SUVs. Depending on the trim, it rode on either 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models boasting premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, sport combination seats in the N-Line, and leather-trimmed seats available in higher trims. The dashboard featured horizontal lines and an uncluttered aesthetic, enhancing the sense of spaciousness.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe retained the classic Wrangler styling, with signature elements like the exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, rounded headlights, and seven-slot grille. The only noticeable differences were the blue decals, badging, and the charger port on the driver's side front quarter panel. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered three grades: Unlimited Sahara, Unlimited Sahara High Altitude, and Unlimited Rubicon. The Sahara grades featured leather-faced seats with an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, while the Rubicon had standard unheated cloth seats, with optional leather seats and heated features. The interior combined Dark Saddle brown leather seats, black leather inserts, and a dramatic front passenger grab handle, maintaining the rugged Wrangler aesthetic. Despite being a plug-in hybrid, the Wrangler 4xe stayed true to its roots, offering a familiar and consistent interior experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid delivered a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain was more powerful and efficient, with a fuel consumption rating of 6.3 L/100 km in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 6.4 combined. The Tucson Hybrid's AWD system performed well in off-road testing, similar to Subaru's reactive AWD system. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power, with an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, and an all-electric range of around 40 kilometres.

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. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and a trail-rated drivetrain with a Selec-trac or Rock-trac transfer case, solid axles, and a fully articulating suspension. The Wrangler 4xe offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes for battery management. The Max Regen button enhanced regenerative braking, allowing for near one-pedal driving. The electric motors provided a burst of energy from a stop, but the Wrangler 4xe maintained its rugged character, prioritizing off-road capability over everyday driving refinement.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior, comparable to competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory settings available. The new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with more rear legroom than the RAV4 and a 1,095-litre cargo capacity. The rear seats offered a 60-40 split-folding bench, and the dual-level cargo floor added versatility.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss. The Sahara grades offered 1,023 mm of headroom and 970 mm of legroom, while the Rubicon provided more headroom with its soft-top roof. Cargo capacity was slightly reduced compared to gas-only Wranglers, with 784 litres behind the second row and 1,908 litres with seats folded. The Wrangler 4xe's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings, and a home charging cable was included. The optional power-retracting roof added convenience, allowing for on-the-fly operation at speeds up to 96 km/h.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. The Preferred trim added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, rear USB outlets, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, but the lack of physical buttons made it challenging to operate while driving. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were essential for ease of use.

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 known for its intuitive interface, with hard buttons and dials for HVAC and audio functions. The Wrangler 4xe included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster combined traditional gauges with a 7-inch colour information display. Despite its price, the Wrangler 4xe lacked some modern tech features, such as a wireless phone charging pad.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Additional safety features were available, such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai offered a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crash tests. However, it was rated Marginal in the driver's side small overlap front test and rear passenger head protection. The NHTSA had not specifically rated the 4xe, but the Wrangler received 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 forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control.