2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the classic Wrangler aesthetic, with its rugged exterior features like the exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, rounded headlights, and the iconic seven-slot grille. The only noticeable differences indicating its plug-in hybrid nature were the blue decals, specific badging, and the charger port on the driver’s side front quarter panel. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a mix of Dark Saddle brown leather seats and black leather inserts with contrast stitching, complemented by a dramatic front passenger grab handle. However, the interior was dominated by black plastic, a typical feature for the Wrangler, which might not surprise enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia Seltos presented a more modern and stylish interior, with exposed stitching, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. Despite the abundance of hard, shiny plastic that could make the interior appear cheap, the build quality was excellent. The Seltos offered a logical and intuitive arrangement of controls, with knobs for stereo volume and cabin temperature, and buttons with a matte-black finish and clear markings. However, the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not universally appealing. The Seltos was larger, more useful, and more refined than many of its direct rivals, offering a lively driving experience with excellent outward visibility.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler 4xe was trail-rated, featuring a Selec-trac two-speed transfer case for the Sahara grades and a Rock-trac transfer case for the Rubicon, along with solid front and rear axles, locking differentials, and a fully articulating suspension. It offered up to 27.4 cm of ground clearance and could ford up to 76 cm of water. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain provided an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes available for battery management. The Wrangler 4xe delivered a burst of energy from a stop, but it was not the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT, and a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a more engaging driving experience, with torque available between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. The Seltos featured Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution at lower speeds, and the Seltos was capable of light off-roading. However, the suspension tuning was less appealing, with the vehicle exhibiting lateral rocking motions and a bouncy ride on uneven roads. The Seltos was lively in urban environments, with good grip from its 18-inch wheels and tires, but the suspension allowed more body motion than preferable.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, resulting in minimal loss of second-row space. Headroom for the Sahara grades was 1,023 mm, with legroom slightly compromised at 970 mm. The soft-top roof on the Rubicon provided more than 2 cm of additional headroom. Cargo capacity was 784 litres with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded, slightly less than other Wrangler models. The Wrangler 4xe was easy to manage in urban settings, with a width of 1,875 mm. A home charging cable was included, and the optional power-retracting roof was a convenient feature.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver’s seat was adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on all but the base LX FWD. The rear seat accommodated adults comfortably, with generous legroom and footroom. Cargo space measured 752 litres behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down. The Seltos included practical storage solutions, such as a smartphone shelf and plastic grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe featured the Uconnect 4C system with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system was intuitive, with hard buttons and dials for HVAC and audio functions. The instrument cluster included a traditional tachometer and a gauge for electric power usage, with a 7-inch colour information display. However, the Wrangler 4xe lacked some modern tech features, such as a wireless phone charging pad.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, connected services, satellite radio, and a six-speaker stereo, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto requiring a cable connection. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical buttons for primary functions. However, the voice recognition system was less effective without an active subscription to connected services.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its structure with other Wrangler models, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS crashworthiness tests. However, the driver’s side small overlap front test returned a Marginal result due to the vehicle tipping over. Rear passenger head protection was also rated as Marginal. The NHTSA rated the Wrangler with four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. Safety features included blind spot monitoring and rear park assist, with additional options available in the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous driving assistance systems, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos SX offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The lane-centring assist technology was accurate and refined. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.