Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

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 look, although it did evoke a bit of a World War II cosplay vibe. The Willys ’41 offered a choice between a standard tan soft top and a body-colour hardtop, with the latter being more practical 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 is typical for a Wrangler, prioritizing durability over luxury.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 presented a design that was both distinctive and polarizing, drawing inspiration from smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas. Its aerodynamic shape housed seven passengers comfortably, with dimensions that offered impressive interior volume. The Ioniq 9’s design was effective in terms of space efficiency, though its aesthetics were debatable, with a swooping roofline and a stubby rear end. The vehicle was available in various paint colours, with trim-specific options, and featured wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Inside, the Ioniq 9 was spacious and airy, with flat floors and a sliding centre console. The interior featured high-quality plastic and leatherette upholstery, though the seats lacked thigh support.

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 produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in Hybrid mode, significantly more than 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 regularly. It featured three driving modes: Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save, allowing for flexibility in power usage. The Wrangler 4xe maintained its off-road capabilities but suffered from a noisy interior and modest handling on-road.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 came with a 110.3-kWh battery pack on Hyundai’s e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim featured a single rear-mounted 160-kW electric motor, producing 215 horsepower, while other trims had dual-motor AWD systems with varying power outputs. The Preferred AWD generated 303 hp, and the Preferred AWD+ produced 422 hp. The Ioniq 9 offered impressive energy efficiency, with a range exceeding the estimated 500 kilometres. It provided a smooth and quiet ride, though its weight and soft suspension affected cornering performance. The Ioniq 9 had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms for AWD models and offered versatile charging options, including fast charging capabilities.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe accommodated four adults comfortably, with the option to squeeze a fifth person in 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 made loading cargo more challenging. The Wrangler 4xe offered 784 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,908 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench or six with captain’s chairs in the Ultimate Calligraphy Package. The interior offered excellent legroom, especially in the middle row, and easy access through wide rear doors. Dual-zone climate control and air vents in all rows were standard, with additional heating options available in higher trims. The Ioniq 9 provided 620 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded. The small front trunk was best used for storing charging accessories.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5 technology, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation was not available on the Willys ’41, but Apple CarPlay sufficed for navigation needs. The optional Alpine sound system provided good audio quality, though the Wrangler’s interior noise was a challenge.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had dual curved 12.3-inch displays, offering a familiar infotainment interface with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad was standard, though it struggled to keep up with high-demand devices. The Ioniq 9 featured six USB-C ports for charging, and the optional Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

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 important features like blind-spot monitoring, but required additional packages, making it costly. The Wrangler received mediocre safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, highlighting the need for improvements in safety technology and occupant protection.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ trims added a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Crash-test ratings were not yet available, but the Ioniq 9’s safety features were impressive.