2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys ’41 Special Edition stood out even in a region filled with Wranglers, thanks to its unique design elements. The unusual colour, distinctive wheel design, and tan fabric top gave it a distinct appearance, although it did evoke a sense of World War II cosplay. The wheels were particularly admired, and it was suggested that Jeep could offer them as an accessory upgrade in various colours. The Willys ’41 was available with either a standard tan soft top or an optional body-colour hardtop, with the latter recommended for those not frequently driving in open-air conditions. Inside, the Heritage Tan cloth seats matched the soft top, paired with an Olive Drab cloth dashboard insert and an exclusive ’41 shifter knob. Despite improvements in the infotainment system, the interior remained rugged and unrefined, which was seen as a necessity given the Wrangler's exposure to dirt and moisture.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages tailored to different powertrains, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package and the TX 500h hybrid starting with the F Sport Performance 2 package. The exterior retained a large grille reminiscent of the older spindle grille shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting. The interior offered three colour options and ambient lighting, though the material quality fell short of luxury standards. Redesigned door handles were a notable feature, though they seemed unnecessary. The TX provided a spacious third row with a recline function and ample headroom, while the front seats could benefit from more thigh support. The cargo space was impressive, with a total capacity of 2,747 litres when all rear seats were folded.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, offering an estimated 35 kilometres of electric-only driving range. The powertrain delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in Hybrid mode, significantly outperforming the gas-only turbo four and the available 3.6-litre V6 engine. The Wrangler 4xe averaged 11.7 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving when the battery was not recharged, making it less efficient than the standard Wrangler unless regularly plugged in. The vehicle featured three driving modes: Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save, allowing drivers to optimize power or efficiency based on their needs. Despite its impressive off-road capabilities, the Wrangler 4xe's on-road performance was hindered by a noisy interior, rudimentary ride, and vague steering.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 came with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 hp. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid included a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 offered full-time AWD, while the TX 500h used Lexus’s Direct4 AWD system. Drivers could choose between Normal, Eco, or Sport drive modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h also included adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe accommodated four adults comfortably, with the option to squeeze a fifth person into the back seat. The interior featured manual front seat adjusters and cloth upholstery, with premium options available on higher trims. Storage space was limited, requiring creative solutions for storing items. The soft top allowed for easy open-air driving but complicated cargo loading, offering 784 litres of cargo space with the seats up and 1,908 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2026 Lexus TX provided a spacious interior with three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was notably roomy, with a recline function and ample headroom. The front seats offered good space but lacked thigh support. The TX boasted excellent cargo capacity, with 572 litres available with all seats in place and expanding to 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The vehicle could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While navigation was not available on the Willys ’41, Apple CarPlay served as a reliable alternative. The optional nine-speaker Alpine sound system effectively countered ambient noise, and the system supported two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

The 2026 Lexus TX included a 14-inch touchscreen, though some features lacked polish, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. The steering wheel buttons controlled various functions but were confusing to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occasionally arose. The TX offered a range of subscription services, including a voice assistant and remote start. The back-up camera provided a clear view, and the Advanced Park system could handle parking duties. The vehicle featured seven USB ports and wireless charging.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered limited safety technologies, with forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control as standard. The optional Active Safety Group included additional features like blind-spot monitoring, but required purchasing the Convenience Group. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and had unimpressive scores from the IIHS.

The 2026 Lexus TX came standard with Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and traffic sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though it was slow to respond in some situations. The TX received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores from the IIHS for most tests.