2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with its timeless design, featuring circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Its rugged appearance, reminiscent of a toy truck for adults, was unmistakable on the road. Depending on the trim, the Wrangler offered variations like painted or exposed fenders and different roof options, but its core elements remained consistent. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized charm over comfort, with upright seating and limited legroom, appealing to drivers who valued its adventurous spirit.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid presented a bold and distinctive design that required some acclimation. Its blunt nose and floating roof design gave it a unique look, though its styling could appear overwhelming with cartoonishly-flared panels. The Highlander Hybrid was available in trims like LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with the hybrid powertrain offered as an option. The Limited trim, evaluated in this review, featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a range of premium options, though some interior details felt less refined.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, and mild-hybrid options. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 variant featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse with enhanced suspension and braking systems.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving with front-wheel drive. Its total output was 243 hp, with optional all-wheel drive. While the hybrid system improved fuel efficiency, it compromised driving enjoyment, with the engine sounding strained during acceleration. The Highlander Hybrid's steering felt lifeless, though its regenerative brakes performed well. On smooth roads, it handled adequately, but rougher terrain revealed its limitations, making it less engaging to drive.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various roof options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top for convenient open-air driving. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized functionality with minimal storage but included drain plugs for easy cleaning. It provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with seats folded, though wheel-wells and roll-bars limited larger item storage.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited offered comfortable seating with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated, ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat increased capacity to eight but felt cramped for three adults. The third-row seat lacked comfort and space, making it unsuitable for adults. Cargo space measured 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage was adequate but less generous than previous models, with some design choices limiting accessibility.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim featured a basic 5-inch screen, with larger 7-inch and 8.4-inch Uconnect screens available on higher trims. These screens offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with intuitive controls and crisp graphics. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, enhancing trail visibility.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came standard with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, JBL audio system, and navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons. However, the JBL sound system's performance varied, and the voice recognition system did not control climate settings. The Highlander also offered Driver Easy Speak and a video rearview mirror for improved communication and visibility.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control, but lacked standard safety technologies. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines was included, and a live tire-pressure monitoring system was available for off-roading.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including intersection support and emergency steering assistance. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard from the LE trim. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance had some inconsistencies, but overall, the safety systems were effective. The Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was expected to achieve a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS.