Lexus NX Hybrid vs Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys ’41 Special Edition stood out even in a region filled with Wranglers, thanks to its unique design elements like the unusual colour, distinctive wheel design, and tan fabric top. Despite the gloomy weather during the test week, the vehicle attracted attention. The overall aesthetic was reminiscent of World War II, which might not appeal to everyone, but the wheels were a highlight, and Jeep could consider offering them as an accessory upgrade. The interior featured Heritage Tan cloth seats and an Olive Drab cloth dashboard insert, exclusive to this special edition. While the cabin maintained the rugged, utilitarian feel typical of Wranglers, with hard plastic surfaces and a basic infotainment system, it was designed to withstand dirt and moisture, making it practical for off-road adventures.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, presented a more stylized and modern appearance. Its aggressive front design featured a large spindle grille and LED headlights, while the profile was sporty yet understated. The interior combined a sporty look with advanced technology, including a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen angled towards the driver. The F Sport 3 model boasted dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, enhancing its sporty appeal. The cabin offered a high-quality feel with soft-touch surfaces, making it a comfortable and upscale environment.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, providing an estimated 35 kilometres of electric-only driving range. The powertrain delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in Hybrid mode, significantly more than the gas-only turbo four-cylinder and the available 3.6-litre V6 engine. The Wrangler 4xe offered three driving modes: Hybrid, Electric, and E-Save, allowing drivers to optimize power or efficiency based on their needs. During testing, the vehicle achieved 7.6 L/100 km for a portion of the drive but averaged 11.7 L/100 km over a longer distance. While the Wrangler 4xe maintained its off-road capabilities, it suffered from a noisy interior and modest handling on regular roads.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, provided standard all-wheel drive and a total of 240 horsepower. The hybrid SUV offered a 7.2-second 0 to 96 km/h acceleration time. Despite its sporty name, the NX 350h F Sport 3 was more controlled than agile, with a firm but comfortable ride. The power delivery was adequate for everyday driving, though not particularly thrilling. The drivetrain felt somewhat unresponsive, and the engine noise was noticeable during hard acceleration. The NX 450h plug-in hybrid variant offered more power at 340 hp for those seeking a more robust performance.

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 small items. The soft top allowed for easy open-air driving but made loading cargo more challenging compared to the hard top. The Wrangler 4xe offered 784 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,908 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid provided ample room for front-seat occupants, with power adjustments and comfort features like heated and ventilated seats. The rear seat offered enough space for two average-sized adults, though legroom could be tight for taller passengers. The NX's cargo space was relatively low for its class, with 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with the seats folded. The coupe-like roof design contributed to the limited cargo capacity but still accommodated everyday needs.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While navigation was not available on the Willys ’41, Apple CarPlay served as a reliable alternative. The optional Alpine sound system provided good audio quality, despite the vehicle's ambient noise. The Wrangler's infotainment system was intuitive, with physical controls for volume and climate settings.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional features included a head-up display and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The NX offered a three-year Remote Connect subscription, allowing remote vehicle access and status alerts. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times and physical controls for essential functions.

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

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid excelled in safety, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and high ratings in NHTSA crash tests. The NX 350h came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including features like blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Optional safety features enhanced the vehicle's comprehensive safety package.