2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-generation Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, although appearing similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts. Higher trims featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly in the head- and taillights, but the interior saw significant upgrades, including an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims and the innovative DriverFocus system, which used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

The 2020 Outback was available in seven trims, starting at an MSRP of $26,645 for the base 2.5i, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen and additional features like dual-zone climate control and heated front seats. Higher trims like the Limited and Touring offered more luxury features, while the Onyx Edition XT and XT trims added the turbocharged engine and off-road capabilities. The top-tier Touring XT, priced at $39,695, included all the bells and whistles, making it a well-rounded choice for various buyers.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe stood out with its unique plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain. Visually, it was almost identical to a regular Wrangler, with the main differences being a "4xe" badge, sky blue accents, and a power port at the base of the windshield. The Wrangler 4xe was silent when running on electric power alone, which turned heads during our test drive in Yosemite National Park. Our Firecracker Red Rubicon trim test vehicle, loaded with over $13,000 in options, had a price tag of $66,690. The 4xe was also available in Sahara and High Altitude trims, with the Sahara starting at under $50,000 before incentives.

Inside, the Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler look with some unique touches like blue seat stitching and special gauges for the PHEV powertrain. The interior was practical, with a hose-me-out design, but also featured more soft-touch materials than expected. The layout was functional, with controls for the transmission, emergency brake, and transfer case lever in the center console. The Rubicon trim included additional off-road controls like locking differentials and a sway bar disconnect button. Overall, the Wrangler 4xe's interior was simple yet better outfitted than previous models, though it still lacked luxury and refinement.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over the 2019 model. This engine, with 90% new components and direct injection, offered 26 mpg city and 33 highway, a 1 mpg improvement in both categories. For those needing more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the XT trims delivered 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, enabling the Outback to reach 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which Subaru tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, reducing the typical CVT drawbacks.

Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system was a standout feature, providing consistent power delivery and reducing wear on components. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle various terrains, though it wasn't as capable as a Jeep. The Onyx XT trim, with its upgraded X-Mode and hill-descent control, offered enhanced off-road capabilities. Despite its limitations in approach, departure, and breakover angles, the Outback was a versatile performer both on and off the road.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Wrangler 4xe to reach 60 mph in six seconds. The battery offered an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving with a 49 MPGe combined efficiency rating. As a hybrid, the Wrangler 4xe achieved 20 mpg combined, with a total driving range of 370 miles.

The Wrangler 4xe featured three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save. Hybrid mode maximized power or efficiency based on situational needs, while Electric mode ran solely on battery power unless additional power was required. The e-Save mode preserved battery power for specific situations, useful in urban areas restricted to electric vehicles or for off-roading. During our test drive, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its efficiency, averaging 20.8 mpg on a road trip to Yosemite and 19.1 mpg over 757 miles, with 120.9 of those miles on electricity.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered the functional benefits of a station wagon, with ample room for passengers and cargo. It provided 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to a 1-cu-ft increase in passenger volume and a 2.4-cu-ft increase in overall volume. The interior was spacious, with sufficient legroom and headroom for taller passengers. Subaru's focus on visibility was evident, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe required some effort to climb into due to its high door sills and lack of side steps on the Rubicon trim. Once inside, the Wrangler offered a classic driving position with a clear view over the hood and front fenders. The interior had practical storage limitations due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever. Rear-seat space was adequate, with air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo volume measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear glass window added to the Wrangler's charm but could be inconvenient in tight spaces.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was visually appealing and easy to navigate. However, the system suffered from lag, affecting functions like map navigation, app opening, and even volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the touchscreen had potential, and Subaru needed to address the lag to enhance user satisfaction.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological advancements were primarily related to its PHEV powertrain and 4WD system. The Uconnect infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offered Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. The system was intuitive but showed signs of aging in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel and charging indicator lights provided useful information about the PHEV system. Overall, the Uconnect system was functional but needed an upgrade to Stellantis's latest Uconnect 5 technology.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including standard AWD and Subaru's EyeSight system. However, the optical nature of EyeSight meant it could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently giving false alerts. Despite these issues, the Outback's safety features were impressive for the price.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems in the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system was particularly useful due to the Wrangler's narrow side mirrors. The Wrangler received mixed safety ratings, with a Marginal rating for small-overlap frontal-impact protection and a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).