2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a statement with its distinctive appearance and unique sound. Aside from a "4xe" badge and blue accents, it looked much like a regular Wrangler, with the only notable difference being the power port at the base of the windshield. When running on battery power alone, the Wrangler 4xe was nearly silent, save for the pedestrian notification system, which drew attention as it quietly navigated through Yosemite National Park. The Firecracker Red Rubicon trim test vehicle, loaded with over $13,000 in options, had a price tag of $66,690, including destination charges. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe retained the familiar rugged look, with blue stitching and special gauges for the PHEV powertrain. The interior was practical, with controls laid out for functionality, and included features like a transmission shifter, emergency brake, and manual transfer-case lever. Despite its utilitarian design, the Wrangler 4xe offered more soft-touch materials than expected, enhancing its overall appeal.

Volkswagen transformed the 2022 Atlas Cross Sport by removing the third row from the standard Atlas, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches, and shortening the SUV by 5.2 inches. This resulted in a sportier, more upscale appearance, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Atlas Cross Sport maintained a roomy interior for five people, though cargo space was reduced to 40.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 77.8 cubic feet maximum. The test vehicle, painted in Pure Gray with a Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior, exuded a premium feel. However, the interior's hard, glossy plastics detracted from the overall quality impression. Despite this, the Atlas Cross Sport's design and features made it feel worth its $52,495 price tag, slightly less than a similarly equipped standard Atlas.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, supplemented by two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup provided an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving and a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. As a hybrid, it achieved 20 mpg combined, with a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save. In Hybrid mode, it delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in six seconds. Electric mode allowed for gas-free driving, while e-Save preserved battery power for specific situations. During a road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its efficiency, covering 757 miles with an average of 19.1 mpg, including 120.9 miles on electricity. The vehicle's regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery during downhill driving, enhancing overall efficiency.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6, which did not require premium fuel, provided a more satisfying driving experience and a 5,000-pound towing capacity, compared to the turbo-four's 2,000-pound limit. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive available. The test vehicle, equipped with the V6 and 4Motion, felt more energetic than the three-row Atlas, though it averaged just 19.2 mpg. The Atlas Cross Sport's suspension, while providing good grip and body roll control, felt too firm at low speeds and too soft at higher speeds, leading to a less refined ride quality. However, it excelled on highways, where the ride was more agreeable and the V6 engine more efficient.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's high door sills and lack of side steps made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. Inside, the driving position was classic Wrangler, with a high seating position and clear view over the hood. The front seats, though manually adjustable, tended to lower over time due to repeated sliding. Storage space was limited, with small bins and a glovebox, and the rear seat offered decent comfort with air vents, USB ports, and a power outlet. Cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seat folded. However, accessing cargo could be difficult due to the swing-out tailgate and flip-up rear window.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, sharing its wheelbase and track width with the larger Atlas, offered a spacious interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. A panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space, while rear side-window sunshades provided comfort for passengers. Storage was ample, with roomy door bins, a large glove compartment, and various nooks and crannies, though many lacked lining, leading to potential rattles. The cargo area was generous, with deep wells for additional storage and space under the load floor. Despite the reduced cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger Atlas, the Cross Sport could easily accommodate full-size suitcases and other luggage.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological features were primarily related to its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. It included a Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system provided adequate audio quality, though wind noise on the freeway could be disruptive. The Uconnect system, while intuitive, showed signs of aging in terms of load time, responsiveness, and graphics. The Trip Summary data panel and charging indicator lights were useful for monitoring the vehicle's charging status.

The base 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, featuring an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB-C ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless charging, and additional USB ports. The upgraded infotainment system provided access to Car-Net connected services, including remote start, emergency assistance, a WiFi hotspot, and natural voice recognition. Despite the comprehensive technology, user experience issues with the touchscreen and voice recognition were noted. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems through 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 emergency braking. The LED headlights with automatic high beams were effective but rated Marginal by the IIHS. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. However, it earned a Marginal rating for small-overlap frontal-impact protection for the driver, with the vehicle tipping over in two tests.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system as standard. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The IQ Drive system, available on SEL trims, combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and included Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle featured a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and a 360-degree camera system. While Travel Assist was generally accurate, it occasionally lacked refinement. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not the highest accolades.