2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged appearance. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line swooping over the rear wheel arch, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall design felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high, reducing driver distraction. The Bronze Edition featured 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery, which attracted dirt and stains, raising durability concerns. Other trims offered more conventional materials, but genuine leather was only available in the top trims.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic rugged design with a boxy shape and minimal curves. Available in two-door and four-door models, the Wrangler allowed for door removal, and the optional Dual-Door Group added half doors for better visibility. The windshield folded down, and various top options provided open-air exploring. The Wrangler featured wide fenders, Jeep's seven-slot grille, round headlights, and exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The limited-edition "Reign" purple paint added flair, while the "Earl" colour offered a subtle aquamarine highlight. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized practicality with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, a body-coloured dash, chunky HVAC controls, and a manual transfer case shifter.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle for additional traction. Toyota estimated a 0-100 km/h time of just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The CVT's uninspired drone was noticeable during acceleration, especially uphill. Braking was traditional, with a soft pedal feel and seamless transition from regenerative to physical brakes. The Highlander Hybrid offered a soft ride quality, with a suspension that smoothed over bumps while maintaining adequate cornering confidence. The cabin remained mostly free of wind and road noise on the highway.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engine options for off-road enthusiasts. The standard Pentastar V6 engine delivered 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder offered 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were available with an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-litre Ecodiesel V6 provided 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, while the Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 with 470 horsepower and torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered 35 km of all-electric range. The 392 model excelled in off-road performance, with a 0-100 km/h time of roughly 4.5 seconds. However, its brakes and steering were less refined, requiring early braking and offering vague steering input. Other Wrangler trims had better-suited brakes and steering.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned, with ample adjustments for drivers of all sizes. However, the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. The interior offered plenty of storage, including a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf, and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats provided generous head- and legroom, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs for added versatility. A second-row bench increased passenger capacity to eight. The third-row seat was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, with heated options available on select trims. The rear seat could fit three passengers in four-door models, but space was tight. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and centre console. The Wrangler offered 2,050 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece, with a Sunrider option for quick front-row exposure. The soft top was easy to remove, but the plastic rear window could be cumbersome. The Sky One-Touch power soft top provided quick open-air access. The Wrangler featured multiple charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was responsive, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on Limited and Platinum trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system were also standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came with a 7-inch touchscreen running Uconnect, with an 8.4-inch option available. The system initially appeared complex but was intuitive once familiar. Jeep's off-road pages provided detailed information, and Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard. The Wrangler offered practical tech features, including a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. The systems generally worked well but could use fine-tuning.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were standard on top trims or part of an option package. The IIHS ratings were mixed, with some trims receiving Poor headlight rankings. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler four stars for frontal crash and three stars for rollover ratings.